THE STATION 143 



ments. The high officials of that day drew immense 

 salaries, and kept up great establishments. Their 

 houses which they erected here were of correspond- 

 ing magnitude. In size they approach to palaces, 

 and they stand in grounds fully equal in extent to 

 the smaller of our English parks. Years go by, 

 and the station begins to decline in importance. One 

 by one the high officials are transferred elsewhere, and 

 of the houses they erected many are left vacant. 



As the century grows older the intercourse with 

 England becomes more rapid and frequent ; and, as 

 a consequence, the tone of Indian society is more 

 influenced by that prevailing at home. One of the 

 results is the erection of the church. It is an ugly 

 building, designed by an Engineer officer in a style 

 meant to be classical. 



A long, quiet period now ensues. Regiments and 

 officials come and go, but the station remains much 

 the same. Then occurs the Mutiny, The ruins of 

 the church are its memorial. A new church and lines 

 of barracks and stabling mark the restoration of order 

 and the increase of troops that accompanied it ; and, 

 as regards the new church, its appearance shows the im- 

 provement in architectural taste that had taken place 

 since the previous one was erected. 



After this account of the station, I will say a few 

 words regarding my office. According to tradition, it 

 was originally a private residence, one of those left 

 vacant when the chief officials departed. The grounds 

 around it are extensive and dotted over with trees. 

 When the office is open, the grounds present a most 



