TWO AUTHORITIES ON “THE EASTERN QUESTION.’ 65 
band of smugglers. He had previously married again, Jane Wilson, 
daughter of William Wilson, a tenant covenanter of Westland, Argyle- 
shire, who had been present at the Siege of Carrickfergus and the 
landing of William the Third. 
Nine children were born of this marriage, Francis Rawdon being the 
4th and eldest son—born 16th March, 1789. 
The family life at Mourne was hardy, and Francis was early 
accustomed to attend his father in watching smugglers, protecting 
wrecks, and saving the lives of crews and passengers, and was brought 
into collision with lawless neighbours. In addition to home instruc- 
tion he attended a small day school. The father’s discipline was severe 
and he did not spare the rod. Francis began at an early age to keep 
a Diary, which he continued to the end of his life. In 1798, he was 
enrolled as a Sub-Lieutenant in his father’s Corps of Militia, and thus 
early became acquainted with the rough life of a soldier. 
Through the Harl of Moira’s interest a nomination for a Cadetship 
at Woolwich was obtained. Interesting accounts are given of his 
school life, his preparation for the preliminary examination, and the 
short time passed at Marlow and at Woolwich before obtaining his 
Commission, in November 1804; of the life of the young officer at 
Portsmouth and at Guernsey (where he was quartered for six years) ; 
of his romantic attachment to Miss Fraser; his hope and expectation 
of being employed on service (disappointed by the news of the battie 
of Waterloo) ; of his travels in Belgium, Holland, and Paris. He was 
quartered at Woolwich and at Dublin, married Miss G. Forster, and 
sailed for Gibraltarin May 1622. There his wife died in January 1825, 
and he returned to Englandin April. In 1827 and 1829, he visited the 
battle-fields of Napoleon in Italy and Germany, chiefly on foot, with 
his two favourite dogs. He refers in his Diary to his disappointment 
as to obtaining leave to join the Turkish Army in Bulgaria, and when 
leave was granted, the Russians had dictated terms of peace to the 
Sultan at Adrianople. 
He visited Schumla, Varna, and the course of the Danube; but did 
not publish his views of the Russo-Turkish campaigns till 1854, when 
the Crimean War commenced. 
In April 1830, he was Commissioned by Sir Robert Gordon to report 
upon the condition of Syria and Egypt, and the resources of the country. 
His mind was at this time intently occupied with the subject of an 
improved communication with India, by the Kuphrates ; leaving Cairo 
he arrived at Suez in company with Count Chorensky, a phlegmatic 
companion, who deplored his energy. Meeting Mr. Robinson, the well- 
known Hastern traveller at Jerusalem, they visited the most interesting 
parts of Syria; were made prisoners in the desert; escaped, and were 
retaken and robbed of all they possessed. Chesney attempted to ex- 
plore the Upper Euphrates; visited Bagdad, Shurstoo, Bombay, and 
the course of the Indus to Afghanistan, and returned home in September. 
In 1852-34, Colonel Chesney reported to the Government the 
practicability of opening a route to India by the Euphrates, which, 
at the time, attracted much attention. The King (William IV.) was 
greatly interested, and granted him an interview. 
