i66 
TRAVELS IN 
and the feafoned foldier for the climate of India, and the ftill 
more trying fituation of the voyage thither. The conftitution 
would feem to acquire, by a few years refidence at the Cape, a 
ftrength and vigour which not only enabled it to furmount the 
inconveniences of the fea, but, contrary to what ufually hap- 
pens, to fuftain the fatigue of long and continued marches in a 
hot climate, immediately after debarkation. 
The truth of this obfervation was made evident by a number 
of inftances that occurred during the feven years that the Gape 
remained in our pofTeflion ; but in none more ftrongly than 
that, in the government of Lord Macartney, when three almoft 
complete regiments of infantry, the 84th, the 86th, and the 
Scotch brigade, were embarked and fent off, at a few days' no- 
tice, under the command of Major-General Baird, to join the 
army of India againft Tippoo Sultaun. This reinforcement, 
confifting of upwards of two thoufand men in their fhoes, ar- 
rived to a man, and in the higheft ftate of health ; took the 
field the day after their landing; marched into the My fore 
country; co-operated with the Indian army, and contributed 
very materially towards the conquefl: of Seringapatam. The 
very ma:n (Major-General Baird), under whofe command they 
failed from the Cape but a few months before, led them on to 
florm this celebrated capital of the My fore kingdom. 
One might have fuppofed that the facility and fuccefs of 
throwing reinforcements into India, exemplified in this re- 
markable inftance, would have ftamped on the minds of the 
directors an indelible value on the Cape. " By pofTefling and 
" im- 
