Inhospitable conduct of the Dutch.

little respite from their sufferings, and from the absolute necessity of the most sedulous attention; for, notwithstanding all their sufferings, such had been their courage and perseverance, as to enable them in the midst of their arduous trials to convey with safety to this rendezvous all the ammunition and military stores, artillery, and implements of war of all descriptions belonging to the army.

Further than this, however, from the unwillingness of the country people to supply them with cattle and waggons, and from the rapid diminution of their strength, they were unable to convey them, and were therefore obliged to destroy great part to prevent their falling into the hands of the enemy, whose rapid approach made it necessary to evacuate Deventer on the 29th. The French force in pursuit, nay almost within contact, was estimated at 50,000 men advancing with great rapidity, having all the resources of the country at their beck; yet notwithstanding this immense superiority, this handful of Britons, in spite of the celerity of their movements, still preserved a steady pace, and such an imposing countenance, that their pursuers were constantly kept in check, and the gallant few preserved their movements firm and steady amongst incessant obstacles, surmounting them all with their accustomed energy.

On

* Many complaints have been made, and undoubtedly much exaggerated, of the want of discipline, and licentious conduct, of the Bri tish troops on several occasions in Holland; but we must recollect that the shameful treatment which they received throughout the whole of Holland, from the patriotic party, was such as they had no right to expect, even in a hostile country, much less that of a friend, whom they had come to save from the fraternization of modern reformers. So strong, indeed, were the prejudices against them, that an eyewitness has declared, that the implacable hatred evinced by the Dutch boors, towards the English, can scarcely be conceived; extending even beyond, or rather into, the grave. They have been known on several occasions to dig up the bodies of British soldiers during the night, to mutilate and deface them with their long knives, which the lower or

ders

Pleasing change in quarters.

On the 10th of July they were able to cross the Vecht, and two days after to reach the Ems; still pursued by an harassing enemy, who, however, never dared to attack them seriously until the 24th of the month, when a large and superior body of the French army came up with the rear. An action

immediately took place; but our little band displayed such firmness that the assailants were totally unable to make any impression upon them, and were obliged to allow them to resume their march, and to pursue it unmolested into the country of Bremen, where the kindness of the German boors formed a most pleasing contrast to the sullen apathy, or more spiteful enmity, of the Dutch. This feeling was well expressed by one of the unhappy sufferers, now a partaker in these comparative pleasures, who observed that it was something like a dream, or fairy vision, and that they could hardly believe their senses, after being buffetted about by fortune, driven like vagabonds, through frost and snow, over all the wilds of Holland, and when in their greatest extremities, or when they asked for any thing to refresh themselves, even with money in their hands, being answered only with a shrug of the shoulders, thing for the Englishmen," but then to be seated in the most elegant apartments, servants attending, ready to anticipate every wish,-beds of the softest down to repose on, &c. In fact the hospitable Bremeners treated them like their own families, and omitted nothing which could contribute either to their comfort or pleasure.

66

no

During the whole of this arduous retreat, Lieutenant-Colonel Wellesley, at the head of three battalions, had covered all the movements; and, even under circumstances of the greatest and most peculiar difficulty, acted

ders always carry about their persons concealed, and to leave them in that state in order that their former comrades might see them in the morning!

Arrival in England.

acted in such a manner as to excite the applause of all, and to gain the approbation of his superiors.

Before we close this campaign, we feel it a duty, as impartial historians, to meet the clamor and misrepresentation which was so loudly echoed and reechoed throughout the united empire, respecting its conduct, as far at least as it regards His Royal Highness the Commander-in-Chief.

It has been said by an English author, that if the son of a sans culotte had acted with the same ability as this son of a king, and encountered nobly, and often victoriously, so many difficulties from the superior number of his foes," a thousand voices would have proclaimed his great performances."-Yet we will not trust to English partiality, but give an extract from a Frenchman, no less than citizen David, a true Sans Culotte himself, and now the imperial portrait painter:-" an imperial historian must not deny that on this occasion, and many others, the defensive operations of the enemy were always of the best disposition. We may even say the same of their retreat. That which the English made at this time demands the highest praise; for they took every precaution necessary; and we may indeed confess that nothing was neglected."

On the arrival of the troops in England, every expedition was used to prepare them for foreign service, and the 33d being under orders for the West Indies, Lieutenant-Colonel Wellesley embarked in the fleet which under the command of Admiral Christian was intended to proceed to that station: but the heavy equinoctial gales in the autumn of 1795 having repeatedly driven them back, the destination of great part of the forces was altered, and the 33d were ordered to Ireland to recruit, where they remained until the Colone. was once more called to active ser vice.

3.

H

SECTION

Arrival in India.

SECTION II.

Arrival in India-Projected attempt on Manilla-Expected war in the Carnatic-Preliminary observations-Religious customs and manpers of the Hindoos-Political state of Society-Tippoo Sultaun's Politics-His negotiations with France-French troops landed at Mangalore-Governor-General's reasons for engaging in the war-Insidious conduct of the Sultaun-Formation of the army for the Mysore-Nizam's Subsidiary Contingent put under the separate command of Colonel Wellesley-Anecdotes of Lieutenant-General Harris-Advance of the army-Skirmishes and attacks of the enemy-Battle of Mallavelli-Advance to Seringapatam-Siege of that important city and fortress-Brilliant attacks conducted by Colonel Wellesley-Affair of the Sultaunpettah Storm and Surrender-Anecdotes of Forlorn Hope,&c. -Anecdotes of Colonel Dunlop-Tippoo's conduct and fall-Anec dotes of General Sir David Baird-Discovery of Tippoo's body— Anecdotes of Tippoo Sultaun-Anecdotes of the Storm-Changes in the Mysore government-Tippoo's Sons sent prisoners to Vellore, and the rightful Rajah reinstated on the throne of his ancestors-Treasure found in the palace, &c.-Beneficial consequences of the fall of Tippoo--Gratitude of the army to Lord Mornington, and his exemplary self-denial-Gallant and judicious conduct of Colonel Wellesley against Dhoondia Waugh- Battle of Conahgull, &c. &c. &c.

A NEW Era now arrived in which the splendid abilities of Colonel Wellesley had an opportunity of being brought forward, his brother the Earl of Mornington, (now Marquis of Wellesley,) being appointed to the high and important station of Governor-General of our Oriental empire, whither the Colonel, with his own regiment, accompanied him; and they arrived at Kedgeree at the mouth of the Ganges, on board the Virginie frigate, on the 17th of May 1798, when the Governor-General proceeded for Calcutta, went through the usual ceremonies, and took on him the execution of his arduous office.

The Spanish war having then been commenced, an attack on their settlements at the Philippine Is

lands

Observations on India.

lands was determined on, and a large force not only assembled, but partly embarked for that service, in which Colonel Wellesley would have enjoyed an high command; but the intrigues of the French with the native Princes of India obliged the Governor-General to change his plans, on the instant, and reservé his troops for the defence of the British territories.

Notwithstanding the friendly protestations of Tippoo Sultaun, the experience of the campaigns under the Marquis of Cornwallis had shewn that the loss of the Coimbatoor country and other districts, and even of many of his hill forts in the Mysore, had produced no steady effect on his mind, and he seemed to fear nothing whilst he possessed his capital. The Earl of Mornington therefore determined on decisive measures; and the reduction of Seringapatam was considered as an object of the first consideration.

The important operations, which now took place in India, require a few preliminary and illustrative observations. The word is now indeed often used in a more comprehensive sense than formerly; for the ancient empire of India included all those countries through which the primitive religion and laws of Brachma extended, reaching thus from the moun tains of Thibet and Tartary in the north to the Island of Ceylon, and from the Indus to the Ganges. An extent of country equal to half of Europe, and sup porting a population of nearly seventy millions. Its most ancient names denoted its central situation, and its being the land of virtues; whilst its more modern appellation, "Hindustan," signifies the country of black people: but the Greeks, by the term "India, comprehended all the countries between China and Persia, and we sometimes apply it to all the islands. extending to the coast of New Holland.

The antiquity of the system of religion of this country is very great; its genuine principles inculcate the most sublime notions, though it must be confessed that its rites are debased with idolatry and super