[Footnote 1:  Mr. Harvey was afterwards Sir Eliab Harvey, one of Nelson’s captains at Trafalgar.  But unfortunately he so violently resented the appointment of Lord Cochrane, who was only a post-captain, to carry out the attack on the French fleet in Basque Roads, which he himself, who was an admiral, had also suggested, and used such violent and insubordinate language towards Lord Gambier, the Commander-in-chief (who, though a most incompetent officer, had had nothing to do with the appointment), that it was unavoidable that a court-martial should sentence him to be cashiered.  He was, however, restored to his rank shortly afterwards.  He was member of Parliament for Essex for many years, and died in 1830.]

However, as it is a little necessary to cast about for resources, it is just got abroad, that about a year ago we took possession of a trifling district in India called the Province of Oude,[1] which contains four millions of inhabitants, produces between three and four millions of revenue, and has an army of 30,000 men:  it was scarce thought of consequence enough to deserve an article in the newspapers.  If you are so old-style as to ask how we came to take possession, I answer, by the new law of nations; by the law by which Poland was divided.  You will find it in the future editions of Grotius, tit.  “Si une terre est a la bienseance d’un grand Prince.”  Oude appertained by that very law to the late Sujah Dowla.  His successors were weak men, which in India is incapacity.  Their Majesties the East India Company, whom God long preserve, have succeeded.

[Footnote 1:  Warren Hastings claimed large arrears of tribute from Asaph ul Dowlah, the Nabob of Oude; but Walpole was misinformed when he understood that he had in consequence annexed the province—­a measure which was never adopted till the spring of 1857, when its annexation by Lord Dalhousie was among the causes that led to the outbreak of the mutiny.]

This petty event has ascertained the existence of a certain being, who, till now, has not been much more than a matter of faith—­the Grand Lama.  There are some affairs of trade between the sovereigns of Oude and his Holiness the Lama.  Do not imagine the East India Company have leisure to trouble their heads about religion.  Their commanding officer corresponded with the Tartar Pope, who, it seems, is a very sensible man.  The Attorney-General asked this officer, who is come over, how the Lama wrote.  “Oh,” said he, “like any person.”—­“Could I see his letters?” said Mr. Wedderburne.—­“Upon my word,” said the officer, “when the business was settled, I threw them into the fire.”  However, I hear that somebody, not quite so mercantile, has published one of the Lama’s letters in the “Philosophical Transactions.”  Well! when we break in Europe, we may pack up and remove to India, and be emperors again!