S64 Biographical sketch of Col. Machenzie. [July 



exercised to advantage has been long known and ac- 

 knowledged ; and although all " that a C^sar wrote, 

 or a Camoens sung," may not he reached by every mi- 

 litary adventurer, it is nevertheless universally admitted, 

 what a celebrated sage of antiquity writes, " that the 

 human mind can expand to the occasion^ f That sci- 

 ence may derive assistance, and knowledge be diffused, 

 in the leisure moments of camps and voyages, is no new 

 discovery ; but, in complying Y/ith your wish, I am also 

 desirous of proving that, in the vacant moments of an 

 Indian sojourn and campaign in particular (for what is 

 the life of an Indian adventurer but one continued cam- 

 paign on a more extensive scale), such collected observa- 

 tions may be found useful, at least in directing the oh' 

 servation of those more highly gifted to matters of uti- 

 lity, if not to record facts of importance to philosophy 

 and science. 



3. The first thirteen years of my life in India, from 

 1783 to 1796, may be fairly considered as of little mo- 

 ment with regard to the objects pursued latterly, as col- 

 lecting observations and notices of Hindii manners, of 

 geography, and history; for, with every attachment to 

 this pursuit, to which my attention was turned before I 

 left England, and though not devoid of opportunities, 

 5'et the circumscribed means of a subaltern officer, my 

 limited knowledge of men in power or office, and the 

 necessity of prompt attention to military and professi- 

 onal duties, did not admit of that undeviating attention 

 t\^hich is so necessary at all times to the success of any 

 pursuit ; much more so to what must be extracted from 

 the various languages, dialects, and characters, of the 

 peninsula of India. 



4. A knowledge of the native languages in particular, 

 which is so essentially requisite, could never be assidu- 



t This sentiment is in Tagitus, I think (from recollection), in a speech 



ofTiBiiKlUS. 



