1835.] 



History of the Ramoossies, 



229 



scarcely any employment for the redundant part of the 

 population^ principally composed of the discharged mili- 

 tary : these^ and many other discontented persons, have 

 been reduced to extreme distress,, and driven often to 

 plunder to support themselves. 



iVlthough it was partly with the view of reducing the 

 heavy expenditure of Government, and partly for the 

 purpose of bringing the army into a higher state of dis- 

 cipline and military order^ that the various corps and 

 detachments stationed in different parts of the country 

 were withdrawn, and assembled in large cantonments 

 far distant from each other, yet there is reason to sup- 

 pose, that the true interests of the state, in some re- 

 spects, have by no means benefited by the change. By 

 withdrawing all the troops that were detached over the 

 country, the certain circulation of considerable sums of 

 money was discontinued in those particular places, while 

 the evil disposed were overawed by their presence, and 

 no measures could be devised to remedy the conse- 

 quence. 



The continued system of drill and strict discipline has 

 in a great measure become habitual to the sepoys, yet 

 chiefly owing to the unceasing and severe duties they 

 have to discharge, especially since their numbers have 

 lately been reduced, many of them consider the life of a 

 sepoy a very irksome one. On ordinary detached duty, 

 or (m field service, the officers have then opportunities 

 of seeing the native officers and sepoys at all times ; 

 and from the freedom of intercourse that takes place be- 

 tween them, each party becomes familiarly acquainted 

 with the other. This good understanding produces the 

 best feelings ; the sepoy finds that his little wants 

 and wishes are more readily attended to and com- 

 plied with (obtaining slight pecuniary aid occasion- 

 ally from his officers, or leave of absence from pa- 

 rade if any of his family are unwell, or obtaining em- 



