the hospitality of the chief, vivacity of his lady, and pleasant attentions of all the principal inhabitants, made our time pass most agreeably.

CHAPTER XXVII.

Arrive at Ellore; flattering reception; again new disciplining the army.

LIEUTENANT Barnewall accompanied me across the Circars to Ellore, where our respective regiments were quartered. The commandingofficer, Colonel Todd, to whom I had letters from General Smith and others, welcomed me as an old acquaintance; observing, that, by prior letters he had received, he understood I was qualified, although so young in rank, to teach him and the army under his command a new and superior mode of exercise. He begged, therefore, that I would consider myself as one of his family, and should expect to see me at his table whenever I was not particularly engaged. This was not only flattering, but of considerable importance in point of expense, as it saved my keeping house, except on such occasions as I

chose, by particular invitations to brother-of

cers.

Orders were issued for new disciplining the troops, and my time was well filled up in attending many of my superior officers, who requested it as a favour, together with drilling the adjutant and sergeants, who again drilled the men of their respective companies, under my inspection.

It was certainly a very honourable as well as singular circumstance to happen to a young officer, so soon after his entering the army. It was also a laborious task, but I possessed spirits and strength, at that time, equal to almost any thing, and the credit I thereby obtained throughout the army was an ample recompense.

CHAPTER XXVIII.

Appointed judge-advocate; volunteer to officiate as chaplain, by marrying, christening, burying, &c.

AFTER several months busy employ this way, I was most unexpectedly appointed judge-advocate for the Northern Circars. I confess I felt very diffident in undertaking an office which I

VOL. I.

had never contemplated nor thought myself qualified for; and, but for the friendly advice of the colonel and several other officers of rank, who likewise promised their aid, I should have declined it. Having accepted it, I seriously studied its very important duties; and, by close attention, I trust that, for several years, while I held the appointment, I discharged those duties faithfully and honourably.

I likewise volunteered another serious duty, although I was fuller of mirth and glee than most. I could not see with indifference the indecorous mode of burying our dead: there was no person appointed as chaplain or to officiate as such, either as to burials, Sunday-service, or any thing else that might betoken our having any religion. A military ceremony of firing over the grave was frequently all that was performed.

On a visit that was paid us by the chief, from Masulipatam, in his way to Rājamuudra, to settle the jemibunda, or rents, which the different rajahs were to pay the three following years, I took the opportunity of mentioning to him the disgraceful appearance which this mere ceremony had among the natives. The answer I received was, that the Company had provided for the office of chaplain, by allowing five pagodas a month to any gentleman that would so officiate. In reply, I said that no gentleman

would accept so paltry a pittance for what was to be considered a duty, though many might officiate without pay when it suited their convenience; but, to perform it as a necessary duty, no officer would undertake it for less than an

ensign's pay.

I persuaded the chief to represent this to the governor and council, offering to perform the whole duty of a chaplain to the garrison, without pay, until he obtained an answer. And this I did for about ten months in succession; marrying, christening, burying, and reading the service to the troops, under a large banyan-tree, every Sunday but the representation, was not successful. The marriages and christenings I regularly sent an account of to the clergyman at Madras, enjoining the parties to take the first opportunity of appearing before such clergyman, for his confirmation.

In company, the familiar call of judge, or parson, was much more frequent than my own name: and it was laughable enough, in convivial parties, to hear the judge or parson called upon for

merry song.

CHAPTER XXIX.

The East-India Company's military service preferable to others; a concise account of the Sepoys, as officered by Europeans; condition and advantages of such officers.

I PASSED Some of the pleasantest years of my life in India, without any thing very material occurring to myself. In truth, I consider the East-India Company's military service as far preferable to any other, for young men, especially, who have not good connections and interest to push them on to promotion in other services.

The Sepoys compose the most numerous, regular, and best-disciplined, body of black troops in the world. They are raised from among the natives, consisting of Moors, Rajappots, Hindoos, and Pariars, besides other intermediate casts, of whom there is seldom any want for recruits; numbers generally attending every parade, stretching and exhibiting themselves to the best advantage in their power, to induce the commanding-officer of the battalion to accept them when vacancies happen. They are modelled and