15th of the month, had an opportunity of learning the projects entertained by the adherents of Vizier Ali, viz. to raise a commotion, plunder the city, and retire with the spoils into the Mahratta frontier. They were heard to remark that if a single shot were fired it would be sufficient, and that thousands would be sacrificed. Every street in Lucnow was filled with armed men; and the accumulation of them on the 19th and 20th was observed by several Europeans. During the three successive days from the 21st great numbers were seen returning from the town, and passing the English camp in the neighbourhood. The consequence of an armed opposition in such a town as Lucnow would have been shocking. It is computed to contain 800,000 inhabitants; and the streets are, for the most part, narrow lanes and passages. Ibrahim Beg had under his charge about 300 pieces of ordnance, of which sixty or seventy were fit for immediate use; they were served by 1,000 Gole andages, or native artillerymen; and the number of artillery drawn out for apparent opposition consisted of thirty pieces, so posted that they could not be seized without great slaughter. Ibrahim Beg, the commandant, was a violent and hot-headed Mogul, regardless of any authority, fearless of his own life, and careless of the lives of others. The single accident which happened had, in all probability, no connexion with the revolution. The successful accom

plishment of it was to me a relief from more anxiety than I ever before experienced.'-Lord Teignmouth's Narrative.

C.

'The massacre at Benares was by some supposed to have been a mere ebullition of rage in Vizier Ali on finding that he must go down to Calcutta; and that his resentment against Mr. Cherry was owing to that gentleman having so ably arranged the journey of Saadut Ali to Cawnpore, when summoned by Sir John Shore to be placed on the musnud, that his departure was not suspected by his own family until they heard of his having reached his destination. That this may have heightened his dislike to Mr. Cherry may be believed; but it is evident that his plan of insurrection was arranged long before the arrival of the order for his removal, which in fact was not issued until after repeated warnings had been received by the government that he meditated mischief. The Nawaub Vizier made strong representations on the subject to the resident at his court, which were communicated to Mr. Cherry. So convinced was General Erskine of the danger, that he urged Mr. Cherry to have a few companies of sepoys stationed at Secrole, but without success. The massacre had been evidently determined on when the assassins quitted

Mahdoo Doss's garden, for, according to the Mussulman superstition, they carried with them their winding-sheets, which had been dipped in the holy well at Mecca.'-Lord Valentia, vol. i. p. 113.

D. THE DOMESTIC THERMOPYLE.

'I examined the staircase that leads to the top of the house, and which Mr. Davis defended with a spear for upwards of an hour and a half, till the troops came to his relief. It is of a singular construction, in the corner of a room, and built entirely of wood on a base of about four feet. The ascent is consequently so winding and rapid that with difficulty one person can get up at a time. Fortunately, also, the last turn by which you reach the terrace faces the wall. It was impossible, therefore, to take aim at him while he defended the ascent with a spear; they, however, fired several times, and the marks of the balls are visible in the ceiling. A man had at one time hold of his spear, but by a violent exertion he dragged it through his hand, and wounded him. severely. This gallant defence saved the settlement, it gave time for the cavalry, which were quartered at Beetabur, about ten miles from Benares, to reach Secrole, and oblige Vizier Ali to retire with his followers to his residence in Mahdoo Doss's garden.'— Lord Valentia, vol. i. p. 108.

as

E.

Among the papers of Vizier Ali was found this letter from the brother of the Nawaub of Dacca to Zemaun Shah, conjuring him to place himself at the head of the Mussulman league, and free India from the British: -'From the beginning the decrees of Providence have so ordered, that when the affairs of the world are changed, and in a ruinous state, the divine greatness selects some one particularly favoured by heaven, assists him, and extends his power over the world, that mankind may prosper by his just administration. In these times, when disorder rears her head to the skies, and religion as well as worldly concerns are in the greatest confusion, the Almighty Disposer of Events has placed your illustrious majesty on the throne, that you may give peace to mankind and improve their condition. Considering your majesty as the support and champion of the true faith, I am happy to offer my services in the most zealous manner, and rank myself among the propagators of our holy religion. Such is the desire of my heart, and my religious zeal, that I observe and presume to represent, in an open and unreserved manner, the evils under which this country labours, and to state to your majesty my own wishes. However great were the obstacles to my submitting myself to your majesty's protection, I have at length fortunately

surmonnted them, and, trusting to Providence, have dispatched this letter to your majesty's court by Sheik Ali, of Amil, who will explain fully all circumstances relating to this country. I hope your majesty will be pleased to hear him. I beg leave to observe, that owing to the imbecility of the house of Timour, and the contempt into which it has fallen of late years, the powerful have been weakened and the weak become powerful. Worthless unbelievers and ambitious villains have started up from every corner, boldly conquered all these countries, and established themselves here. As the poet observes, 'When the lions leave the plain, the jackals become bold.' For these reasons religion, which should be so highly prized, is here lost and of no value; nothing of Islamism remains but the bare name. They have so stripped and reduced the principal Mussulmans, that they have no resource, and are obliged implicitly to obey their orders. The Mussulmans have become vile and wretched; the honour of the great men is gone. Christians seize and keep by force the daughters of Syeds and Mussulmans. Under these circumstances, when we can no longer act openly, it behoves us to exert ourselves secretly in the cause of religion. If your majesty's victorious standard shall be directed towards these parts for the establishment of religion and destruction of its enemies, by God's assistance your majesty will in