in this North-West frontier province; and we should gladly welcome the day, if it might ever arrive, when Your Excellency returned to India.  It is here that we see most clearly the passage of events beyond our borders and mark the signs of brooding trouble; and our hope has always been that, when that trouble should break forth, yours might be the hand to guide England’s flag to victory again.  The Punjab is the sword of India, and Your Excellency has had the courage to lean most strongly upon that sword.  It is here that the pulse of the army beats in India; it is hence that the enemies of our country shall feel the downright blow; and it is here that the greatest grief is felt in parting from so true a soldier and so far-seeing a Statesman as Your Excellency.  It is meet, therefore, that here we should assemble upon this occasion of farewell to express the great sorrow which we, the representatives of the Europeans in the Punjab, feel at the prospect of losing so soon the clear brain and strong hand that Your Excellency has always brought to the control of the Army in India and to the solution of all questions of political or military moment.  In doing so, we mourn for the loss of one of the best statesmen, the best general, and the best friend to the soldier in India.  We say nothing of the kindly relations Your Excellency has always been able to establish with the other races in India; our fellow-subjects here will doubtless do so in their turn.  We say nothing of Your Excellency’s and Lady Roberts’ charming social qualities, nor Her Ladyship’s philanthropic work in India.  We are here only to express our grief at parting with one whom we value so highly for the sake of our common country, and our hope that as your past has been full of glory to the Empire and honour to yourself, so may your future be; and that you may be spared for many years to wield the sword and guide the counsels of our country.

* * * * *

APPENDIX XVI.

(Referred to in Chapter LXVIII, Footnote 11.)

To His EXCELLENCY GENERAL THE RIGHT HONOURABLE FREDERICK BARON ROBERTS OF KANDAHAR AND WATERFORD, BART., V.C., G.C.B., G.C.I.E., R.A., Commander-in-Chief of Her Imperial Majesty’s Army in India.

MAY IT PLEASE YOUR EXCELLENCY,

We, the Talukdars of Oudh, as loyal and faithful subjects of the Empress of India, avail ourselves of the present opportunity of offering Your Excellency a most cordial and respectful welcome to the Capital of Oudh.

The long and valuable services rendered by Your Excellency to the Crown and the country are well known to, and are deeply appreciated by, us.  Your Excellency’s wise and vigorous administration of Her Majesty’s Army in India has won for you our respectful admiration; while your prowess in the battlefield, and your wisdom in Council during the eventful period of your supreme command of Her Majesty’s Indian Forces, have inspired us with confidence in your great military talents and your single-minded and earnest devotion to duty.  In many a battle you have led the British Army to victory, and the brilliant success which has invariably attended the British Arms under Your Excellency’s command has added to the glory of the British Empire.