434 



renders society polite and agreeable; but, alas! how insipid, how 

 different from that intercourse of mind, that confidential exchange 

 of sentiment, so pleasing in those who really esteem and regard 

 each other. But this is the error of the community, not the indivi- 

 dual ; and on your arrival you will find most of your friends there 

 the same worthy characters you left them. I suppose it will not 

 be long before you and yours are among them ; for this Mahratta 

 peace is a sad stroke to the service on this side of India. Happy 

 those who, expelled from their honourable and delightful situations 

 in Guzerat, are able to return to their native country, blessed with 

 health and independence. Dallon and yourself have wisely made 

 up your minds to quit India, and accompany your amiable sister 

 on the voyage her health has long impelled her to undertake. I 

 most sincerely wish I could make one of the party, but my con- 

 cerns are too extensive, and my fortune insufficient. However we 

 might have been prepared to expect the cession of the conquered 

 districts to the Peshwa government, the giving up Baroche and its 

 valuable purgunna to Mhadajee Sindia, is a death-blow to our 

 hopes in Guzerat, and the whole a sad purchase for an inglorious 

 peace. However I may, as an individual, reconcile it to my own 

 particular case, I am greatly concerned for the younger part of the 

 service in general, who will feel the consequences of it longer per- 

 haps than they are aware of, unless we can acquire some perma- 

 nent establishments in Malabar, in the present contest with Tippoo 

 Sultaun, in which I confess I am not very sanguine. 



" The volumes of manuscripts and drawings you lent me have 

 afforded me the greatest amusement, and I can assure you it was 

 with regret I finished the last page of your descriptive letters. 



