SOUTHERN AFRICA. 185 
India, and the still more trying situation of the voyage tliitber. 
The constitution would seem to acquire, by a few years resi- 
dence at the Cape, a strength and vigour which not only en- 
able it to surmount the inconveniencies of the sea, but, 
contrary to what usually happens, to sustain the fatigue of 
long and continued marches in a hot climate, immediately 
after disembarkation. 
The truth of this observation was made evident by a num- 
ber of instances which occurred during the seven years that 
the Cape remained in our possession ; but in none more 
strongly than that, in the government of Lord Macartney, 
when three almost complete regiments of infantry, the 84th, 
the 86th, and the Scotch brigade, were embarked and sent 
off, at a few days' notice, under the command of Major-Ge- 
neral Baird, tojoin the army of India against Tippoo Sultaun. 
This reinforcement, consisting of upwards of two thousand 
men in their shoes, arrived to a man, and in the highest state 
of health ; took the field the day after their landing ; marched 
into the Mysore country ; co-operated with the Indian army, 
and contributed very materially towards the conquest of 
Seringapatam. The very man (Major-General Baird), under 
Avhose command they sailed from the Cape but a few months 
before, led them on to storm this celebrated capital of the 
Mysore kingdom. 
One might have supposed that the facility and success of 
throwing reinforcements into India, exemplified in this re- 
markable instance, would have stamped on the minds of the 
Directors of the East India Company an indelible value on 
VOL, II, B B 
