At Ahmedabad, where the train stopped while we lunched, I was presented with an address by the President and members of the Municipality, who, ’with loyal devotion to Her Imperial Majesty the Queen and Empress of India, to whose glorious reign we sincerely wish a continuance of brilliant prosperity,’ expressed their hope that Lady Roberts and I would have ’a happy voyage home and enjoyment of perfect health and prosperity in future.’

The day before we left Bombay for England, the members of the Byculla Club gave me a parting dinner.  It was with great difficulty I could get through my speech in response to the toast of my health on that occasion, for, pleased and grateful as I was at this last mark of friendship and approval from my countrymen, I could not help feeling inexpressibly sad and deeply depressed at the thought uppermost in my mind, that the time had come to separate myself from India and my gallant comrades and friends, British and Native.

In dwelling on the long list of farewell addresses and entertainments with which I was honoured on leaving India, I feel that I may be laying myself open to the charge of egotism; but in writing of one’s own experiences it is difficult to avoid being egotistical, and distasteful as it is to me to think that I may be considered so, I would rather that, than that those who treated me so kindly and generously should deem me unmindful or ungrateful.

Thus ended forty-one years in India.  No one can, I think, wonder that I left the country with heartfelt regret.  The greater number of my most valued friendships had been formed there; from almost everyone with whom I had been associated, whether European or Native, civilian or soldier, I had experienced unfailing kindness, sympathy, and support; and to the discipline, bravery, and devotion to duty of the Army in India, in peace and war, I felt that I owed whatever success it was my good fortune to achieve.

[Footnote 1:  The late Lieutenant-General Sir W.K.  Elles, K.C.B.]

[Footnote 2:  A detachment of the Calcutta Volunteer Rifles, at the particular request of the regiment, took part in the expedition, and did good service.]

[Footnote 3:  The pay of the Native Infantry has been suitably increased since I left India.]

[Footnote 4:  Jagirs are grants of land.]

[Footnote 5:  Batta, extra allowances given to Native soldiers when proceeding on field service.]

[Footnote 6:  During the Mutiny the casualties amongst the British officers with the six Punjab regiments which saw the most fighting amounted to 60 per cent.!  Luckily, these were able to be replaced by officers belonging to corps which had mutinied.  This supply, however, has long since been used up, and it behoves the Government either to provide an adequate reserve of officers, or to arrange for a sufficient number being sent out from England whenever India is likely to be engaged in a serious war.