Ghoorkas from Nepaul, he had with him an imposing array of 50,000 men and 160 guns. His great object was the capture of Lucknow; and thither his march was directed. The Dilkooshee Palace was captured with ease, and the bombardment was not long delayed. Position after position-the Martiniése, the Begum Cotee, the Kaiser Bagh, Mutchie Bhowan, Imambarra, and Moosee Bagh, familiar names enough to those who can remember this eventful period-was carried; and, within the space of eleven days, the whole of the city and fortifications were in the hands of the besiegers, whose losses, considering the arduous character of the operations were exceedingly small.

The two great centres of the rebellion-Delhi and Lucknow-having fallen, the mutiny was virtually suppressed; and it now only remained to deal with the fugitive bands that were abroad in the country, and to reduce the rebel strongholds of Rohilcund, Rajpootana, and Central India. The principal leaders of the rebels at this time were Khan Bahadur, Khan Koer Singh,

Prince Feroze of Delhi, the Moulvee of Fyzabad, the Nana of Bithoor, Tantia Topee, the Begum of Oude, and the Ranee of Jhansi.

The operations in Central India were conducted by Sir Hugh Rose; and his campaign in the hill country about Malwah and Bundelcund, is one of the most interesting features of the contest. Early in April he attacked the ranee's stronghold; and, beating off a relieving column under Tantia Topee, captured one of the strongest bulwarks of the insurgents in this part of India. The ranee

escaped; but a terrible vengeance was taken upon her rebel followers for the cold-blooded massacre of our countrymen ten months before. The ranee was pursued, but was not overtaken till she had joined Tantia Topee. A series of combats ensued; and Kalpee, their stronghold, was taken; but both escaped. The terrific heat of the weather checked pursuit; and their scattered bands were permitted to unite and take possession of Gwalior, where Nana Sahib was proclaimed Peshwa. Thither, in due time, they were pursued by Sir Hugh, who, after four days' bombardment, captured their stronghold and reinstated the loyal Scindia, who, through the mutinous spirit of his troops, had been compelled to flee from the place. The ranee was killed during the siege. The nana and Tantia Topee managed to escape; and, though pursued and defeated at Alipoor, they still maintained a head, till, hunted from place to place by Majors Holmes and Meade, Tantia surrendered to the latter. He was tried by courtmartial and hanged in April 1859.

Koer Singh, after defeating a body of English under Captain de Grand, was killed at Jugdispoor, which for tress had been laid siege to by Sir E. Layard. Nana Sahib made good his escape northwards, and took refuge amid the jungles of Nepaul, where, shortly afterwards, he is said to have died. The Begum of Oude sought asylum in the same wild region. Some of the insurgent chiefs submitted. There consequently remained no organised resistance; and the operations were henceforth of so desultory a character, that they could no longer be characterised

as a campaign, as they had for their object merely the dispersion of bands rendered desperate by failure, and the prospect of retribution.

And thus the great Sepoy rebellion was stamped out. It was a gloomy page in the history of India, blotted with deep dark spots, but relieved here and there by discs of matchless brightness. Self-abnegation, fortitude, Christian patience, noble devotion, and exalted heroism stand boldly out against the dark background of anarchy and rebellion, with its blurs and blots of treachery and untold cruelty, illuminating its surface with a radiance that shall never fade. For if, in such miscreants as the Nana, Lukshmere Bye, the Ranee of Jhansi, the King of Delhi, the Moulvee of Fyzabad, and their fiendish followers, the worst phases of human character are exhibited, the claims of humanity to the proud position of the Almighty's noblest handiwork are well upheld by such men as Outram, Havelock, Campbell, Rose, Lawrence, Kavannagh, Salkeld, and a host of heroes whose noble deeds shall be remembered and recorded wherever the force of example may be needed to spur the timorous to honour and duty, or to sustain the wretched under severest trial.

One of the most agreeable features of this untoward event was the attitude of the Hindu people generally, and the fidelity with which the native rulers, as a whole, observed the compacts into which they had severally entered with their conquerors. There was no disturbance south of the Nerbudda. The people of the provinces o lately annexed, several of the Sepoy regiments, notably those at Lucknow, our ancient enemies the Mahrattas, with Scindia and Holkar, and many another people whom we had often met in the field of battle, and had vanquished in desperate strife, so far from availing themselves of the opportunity the insurrection seemed to furnish them for regaining their lost independence, or avenging past injuries, were either strictly neutral, or indefatigable in the aid they offered the English in bringing the rebels to justice and re-establishing order.

These exhibitions of fidelity were even surpassed by the conduct of the Sikhs. The noble devotion with which these lately conquered people followed our standard is unique in the history of the world. It was the highest possible exhibition of political honesty, and forms, with the subsequent rejoicing which, upon the suppression of the revolt, prevailed among all peace-loving society, the highest tribute to the benignity of our rule, or at least to the power and wisdom of our race. If the insurrection had been associated with no more pleasing memories than these, the blood of our heroic and long-suffering countrymen and countrywomen would not have been shed in vain.

ADMINISTRATION

ELGIN -SIR
NORTHBROOK.

CHAPTER XXIX.

OF

LORD CANNING (concluded)——-LORD

JOHN LAWRENCE -LORD MAYO-LORD

Reconstruction of the Indian Government-Lord Palmerston's attempt at Legislation-Mr. Disraeli's Measure-The Queen's Proclamation to the Natives-Lord Canning's Measures in India-Appointment of a Minister of Indian FinanceFamine in the North-west Provinces-Lord Elgin Succeeds to the Government-Sir John Lawrence's AdministrationWar with Bhotan-Famine in Orissa-Petty Warfare with Hill Tribes--Appointment of Lord Mayo-His MeasuresHis Assassination-Lord Northbrook--The Bengal Famine.

THE occurrence of this insurrection gave occasion for a reconstruction of the government of India. The term of the Company's reign had expired; and, in face of events, the question was raised as to the expediency of the renewal of a further lease of sovereign power to an association whose rule had culminated in so serious a calamity. Moreover, the position of the Company was to the last degree equivocal-depending as it did upon Parliament for its tenure of power, and sharing with the crown the administration of the affairs of the dominion. The rebellion had conferred one benefit at least, in that it had shown the mischievous character of a dual government. The very term-suggestive as it is of divided responsibility—is ominous. This, however, was perhaps not now perceived for the first time; but great reforms are seldom undertaken till their absolute necessity becomes manifest by means of some unpleasant visitation; and so it was in this case.

The reminder had come in a terrible form, and could