5 
plague on him did not communicate the infection—a rather lucky stroke if it is 
remembered the unpleasant habit native barbers have of stropping their razor 
on the palm of their hand after every stroke. Several E.A. Officers were 
employed on plague duty—Captain Mostyn, Lieutenant Carey, and 2nd 
Lieutenant Lough, and in return for the disagreeable work they had to do received 
pretty liberal extra pay. The culminating point of the plague of 1897-8 may be 
said to be the riots of lltli March in which two soldiers of the Shropshire 
Eegiment were beaten to death and during which the E.A. from Colaba manned 
two 9-pr. guns near the Grant Eoad Hospital, and two more at Jacob’s Circle 
the men being kept on duty there for an entire week. 
Undoubtedly, however, the great event of the year and one that will long be 
remembered was the total eclipse of the sun of the 22nd January. Earelv is it 
given to such numbers of persons to witness this marvellous phenomenon under 
the most perfect atmospheric conditions and with so little trouble and expense. 
The line of totality passed diagonally through the Indian Peninsula roughly from 
N.E. to S.W., and the most accessible point on that line was a small place about 
half way between Poona and Sholapur called Jeur to which numerous special 
trains w^ere run from Bombay, Madras and other parts of India. The Railway 
Company was quite equal to the occasion and had an enormous tent pitched by 
the line with luncheon and dinner for 600 covers at a time and other conveniences. 
Some of the E.A. officers were fortunate enough to get taken on as Assistant 
Observers in some of the scientific expeditions which had been sent to India to 
witness the Eclipse while others, (amongst whom was Major Callwell), joined 
Mr. Justice Parson’s 1st class special excursion train. Major Boileau was attach¬ 
ed to the camp of Professor Campbell from the Lick Observatory, California, 
while Major Harkness and Captain Duhan were with Professor Burkhatter’s ex¬ 
pedition from another part of America. 
The strength of the E.A. at Colaba was temporarily increased during the drill 
season by No. 8 Eastern from Delhi and No. 5 Southern from Agra ordered to Bom¬ 
bay for a three months’ course of instruction in Coast defence, but as No. 5 
Southern were encamped at Mahaluxmi not so much was seen of them, (except 
on racing days,) as of No. 8 Eastern which were under canvas at Colaba. 
Several changes took place during the relief season amongst the garrison com¬ 
panies, No. 3 Eastern proceeded to Eangoonand were relieved by No. 18 Western 
from the same place. No. 28 Southern from Quetta and No. 23 Southern from 
Colaba changed stations, the latter being played out on 12th February by the 
band of the Shropshire Light Infantry—old Woolwich friends of their majors. 
During the last six months Major Callwell has been commanding the E.A. at 
Bombay and Lieut.-Colonel Stevens the E.A. in the Bombay Command from 
Poona, vice Brigadier-General Spragge at Tirah. 
As regards sports it is regretted there is nothing to record of polo or cricket 
as far as the E.A. are concerned, but on the other hand yachting has never been 
more flourishing. The first mess yacht Mannikin has now been supplemented 
by another of the Tomtit class called the Midget , of which the following is a 
description:— 
Dimensions.—Length over all 18 ft. Beam extreme, 7 ft. The boats are 
fitted with a Centre-board casing, but owners may have the option of fitting 
either a Centre-board or a Fin with bulb of lead or iron. 
The boats are decked and ^the deck may not be less than % inch in 
thickness. 
The boats are built of teak throughout except deck, deckbeams and floor 
boards. 
The mast from deck to hounds may not exceed 15 feet. 
