urred to me
that the only thing practically to do, would be to go to the head-
quarters of the panic, surround myself by native troops, and put a
stop to the nonsense by example.

If I had been anywhere else except in India, I should have acted upon
this determination at once; but here there are such enormous physical
difficulties in the way, that one is obliged to think twice before
setting out on such an expedition. However, I have not abandoned the
intention, and shall certainly carry it out, if this sort of thing
goes on. We cannot afford to have the progress of the country arrested
by such _miseres_. The alarmists succeeded in bringing down the price
of our stocks a few days ago.

By the bye, last night was fixed upon by my anonymous correspondents
for my own assassination.

* * * * *

_To Sir Charles Wood._

Calcutta, June 22nd, 1862.

[Sidenote: The murder of a native.]

I have had, this week, a very painful matter to deal with. A man of
the name of Budd, a soldier who had obtained his discharge in order to
accompany an officer of the name of ---- to Australia, killed a native
in the Punjab some months ago under the following circumstances. He
was desired by ---- to procure a sheep for him. He went to a native,
from whom he appears to have procured sheep before, and took one. The
native protested against his taking this particular sheep, because it
was with lamb, but said he might take any other from the flock. Budd
paid no heed to this remonstrance, put the sheep on the back of
another native, and marched off. The owner followed, complaining and
protesting. On tins Budd first fired two barrels over his head, then
threw stones at him, and finally went into the house, brought out
another gun, fired at him, and killed him on the spot. Besides
imploring that his sheep might be restored to him, it does not appear
that the native did anything at all to provoke this proceeding.

The perpetrator of this outrage being a European, the case could not
be tried on the spot. It was accordingly transferred to Calcutta;
witnesses, &c., being sent 1,000 miles at the public expense. Before
it came on, however, the counsel for the defence requested a
postponement in order to obtain further evidence. The request was
granted, and the trial deferred til