troops betrayed; and of the mode of recruiting, especially
in selecting soldiers from the Brahmin caste, rather than from
Ghoorkhas, Beloochees, and low-caste Hindoos. These views were so
distasteful to the governor-general and chief officers of state in
India, that the gallant general was set down as a very troublesome
fellow, whose presence in India was more mischievous than useful, who
prided himself more on Meannee than Scinde was worth, and whose essays
of government there were odd, oppressive, and out of the routine
of Indian government. Sir Charles had given just cause for as many
complaints against himself as he had made of others; this the government
at home knew well; but the board of control, and the board of directors
also, felt that the public dissatisfaction caused by the battle of
Chillianwallah, must be soothed, and knowing the supreme confidence
which the public felt in the eccentric but heroic and intellectual
general, they nominated him to the post of commander-in-chief of the
army in India. Sir Charles was very unwilling to accept this command,
and it was alleged that he only yielded to the importunities of his
friend, the Duke of Wellington, then commander-in-chief of the army,
who was represented as having said, "Either you go, or I go." This high
compliment was so felt by the sturdy old warrior, that he is said to
have instantly acquiesced. The opinions of this brave chief on Indian
affairs were much canvassed at the time, and much more canvassed since.
Circumstances arose to justify many of them, and in few instances did
his predictions fail. It was supposed that the Punjaub would be the
earliest scene of his exploits, and concerning it he thus expressed
himself:--"A large country full of rivers, mountains, climates, plains,
deserts, supplies scarce, and a hostile, well-armed, brave people,
apparently resolved to wage a partizan warfare." The population was,
on the whole, better inclined to us than the army, nor did they show so
much a disposition to wage what is called a partizan war, as to risk
the fate of their country and the endurance of their power upon regular
warfare, conducted in well-arranged campaigns and general battle. So far
Sir Charles somewhat mistook the people against whom he was sent out as
the especial champion of his country, but whom he was never destined to
encounter.

His opinion on the constitution of the army has been already glanced at.
Concerning its dangers in a camp