The Sikhs (he afterwards wrote) are a warlike race, and the knowledge of this fact gave a colour to the advice tendered to them.  It was my wish to recognise with all due honour their martial qualities, while seeking to impart a more pacific direction to their energies.  The capture of half the capitals of Europe would not have been, in the eyes of the Sikh, so great an event, or so signal a proof of British power, as the capture of Pekin.  They are proud of the thought that some of their race took a part in it; and more inclined than ever—­which is an important matter—­to follow the British standard into foreign lands, if they should be invited to do so.

He was careful also to make as much as he could of some feeble indications of a disposition to educate their sons, and even their daughters, which had been exhibited by the Sirdars in some parts of the Punjab; thinking that ’if an impulse in this direction could be imparted to the ruling classes among the natives, great results might be anticipated.’

The text of this address—­the last address which he delivered—­is as follows:—­

[Sidenote:  Address to the Sikh chiefs.]

Colonel Durand,—­I beg that you will express to the native gentlemen who are assembled here my regret that I am unable to address them in their own language, and inform them that I am charged by Her Majesty the Queen to convey to them the assurance of Her Majesty’s high appreciation of the loyalty and devotion to Her Majesty’s person and Government which has been exhibited on various occasions by the Sikh rulers and people.  Not many days ago it was my pleasing duty to determine that the medal granted to Her Majesty’s troops who were engaged at Delhi in 1857, should be conferred on the followers of the Sikh chiefs who took part in the noble achievements of that period; and I can personally bear testimony to the good services of the officers and men of the Sikh regiments who, in 1860, co-operated with the British troops in placing the British flag on the walls of Pekin, the capital of the vast empire of China.

    But, in order to be truly great, it is necessary that nations should
    excel in the arts of peace as well as in those of war.

Look to the history of the British nation for an example.  Most assuredly the British people are powerful in war, but their might and renown are in a great measure due to their proficiency in the works which make a time of peace fruitful and glorious.

    By their skill in agriculture, they have converted their country into
    a garden; by their genius as traders, they have attracted to it a
    large share of the wealth of other lands.

    Let us take advantage of this season of tranquillity to confer similar
    benefits on the Punjab.