350 ARMY APPOINTMENTS IN THE INDIAN SERVICE. 
coolies, and other little luxuries, which cease to be such, and 
are really necessaries in this delightful climate, and the con¬ 
sequence is his health has failed, and he has been sent to the 
hills for change of air. Home is out of the question. All 
this cannot be done out of his pay, and put by 100 rupees a 
month for the bank; the sowcar is consequently again 
called in, with his twenty per cent, usury; the doctor says he 
must take wine, and he thus contrives to pay off one debt 
by making another, and so he goes on to the end of the chapter. 
Should death cut him off in debt, his life is insured, and 
the securities saved. The sowcar lays claim to \\\^ p'operty^ 
horses, kit, furniture, &c.; and should it only realise half the 
claim, he is well paid. 
Our young friend, who has of late years grown morose, and 
gray about the temples, is buried with military honours; the 
band plays the ‘Dead March in SauV a volley of carbines is 
fired over his grave, and the band returns playing a lively air. 
His brother officers are sad at mess that night, but the next 
day he is forgotten. A week after. Cornet (now Captain) Jones 
says, “ Who is going to poor Caustic’s sale?” Major Brown, 
who has now grown a fat, jolly major, says, “ Oh ! there is 
nothing there; he only left two chairs, a table, a cot, a looking- 
glass, and a few old volumes of the Veterinarian,^^ 
Thus ends “ Our Young Vet.” He is replaced by another, 
who follows pretty nearly in his footsteps. “ Such is life 
at least, for veterinary surgeons in India. 
I know I am trespassing largely on your pages, but do 
hear my growl a little longer, while 1 offer a few words of 
advice to the aspiring army vets. 
Young gentlemen, content yourselves at home, with the 
smallest practice, rather than enter the army. It is a myth, 
a delusion; and all are the same out here, both Queen’s and 
locals. 
The Royal Warrant is ignored, and you must go back 
from eleven shillings a day to eight. Your expenses are 
more than I have given in the “ little bill.” I have drawn it 
out on the minimim scale, and have given the “ Young Vet.” 
a regiment of cavalry, where he draws about double the sum 
for medicine allo'wance than he would with troop or battery 
of artillery. I have likewise given him credit for passing in 
the language, and for drawing Js a month more than he would 
had he not passed. I have not charged for his moonshee, or 
teacher of languages; and were I to sum up all the et-caeteras 
necessary to existence in this country, the “Y'oung Vet.” 
would not have £l a month to pay for his horses, tents, 
furniture, kit, &c. &c. 
