counter order to act in their country, as commands have been issued for the taking of Rangoon by our troops, and we are the most disposable corps at present; however, should we go there, I will instantly write.

You would, perhaps, like to know the situation of Hazerabagh; it is to the north-west of Chinsura, lat. 23° 24' north, lon. 86° east; it is not down in the map; a most healthy station.

November 18th.-I have not succeeded in discovering anything relative to my uncle, Captain, as no one down here knows him, he has been altogether up the country.

We have just received an order for marching to Hazerabagh, which has put us all into the highest glee. The regiment starts from Chinsura on the 3rd of December, so that we have little time before us. I send this by the Overland; the charge of letters has been lessened. I sincerely hope to hear a better account of Harriet's health. With most affectionate love to sisters and brothers, I remain, my dear Father,

Your ever most obedient affectionate Son,

JAMES SLATOR CUMMING.

Chinsura, Nov, 24th, 1838.

My dear Father-An unexpected occurrence which has taken place here, and which is likely to affect my interests, has determined me to write without loss of time. A few days subsequent to the letter of the 14th November, per Overland, which you have no doubt received by this time, a vacancy occurred by the lamented death of Lieutenant French, whom I mentioned in a letter to Helena. I am now senior ensign, and as such, may presume that I shall be promoted to the lieutenancy without purchase, as in almost all casualties of the same kind; however, that event is not at all certain, for many reasons; previous to this

vacancy, two or three deaths have taken place in the corps, and consequently promotions without purchase. The authorities, therefore, conceiving that sufficient indulgences of this kind have already been awarded to the regiment, and not considering my standing in the army sufficient to entitle me to the promotion, may judge it necessary to promote to the vacant lieutenancy an older ensign of some other corps; this occasionally happens. It is the apprehension of this taking place that has urged me to write, in hopes that you will be able to use your influence at the Horse Guards, to counteract, if possible, any purpose of this nature. I think I have ample cause to fear being passed over, from the circumstance of my service in the army. I was gazetted in July 22nd, 1836, from which time to the present, November 24th, 1838, is comprised just two years and four months—a short period certainly. This alone would furnish to them a satisfactory excuse for refusing me. Major Douglas has advised me to write up to Mrs. General Churchill, to secure things with the commander-in-chief, Sir H. Fane, which I intend doing immediately. I could not forgive myself, if I thought that I lost my promotion from any want of exertion on my own part.

The shocking death of Lieutenant French was a great affliction to me, and, indeed, I may say to all the regiment. There was not a more amiable man among all my companions, and to me he was a great friend. We had anticipated every little amusement together, both on the march, and at the delightful station to which the regiment is going. We had the same ideas, the same feelings. He sat down to dinner at seven in the evening in health, and was dead at four o'clock, of cholera; how horribly sudden, the shock was instantaneous. One of the old officers came into my room next morning, weeping, while he was lamenting his loss, so much was he beloved. He has left a young

wife, daughter to

whom you know, and whom I have heard you speak of. He has, however, uniformly behaved unnaturally both to him and her. On the day of their marriage, he did not give his daughter a rag; and since that event, which took place with the greatest satisfaction on his part, he turned his back upon both, allowing them to struggle on with the poor pittance of a lieutenant, although he had funds from which to afford them assistance. The poor wife is going to live in Wales, with two old ladies, her former friends, on a small pension. I know that. this account may be foreign to the subject, and I would have altogether omitted it, but I feel sure, that whatever affects me, however trifling it may be, will always be found of interest to you, and under this conviction I have written throughout.

I have written this in the greatest haste, not having a moment to lose, as if I send it immediately, it may, perhaps, overtake the Overland, which left Calcutta on the 20th of November, in such case you will receive this long before any information can reach the Horse Guards, by ship, and thus have plenty of time to act. We are nearing our time for starting towards Hazerabagh, and, of course, all ready. Remember me with most affectionate love to sisters and brothers. I am, my dearest Father,

Your most affectionate and dutiful Son,

J. S. CUMMING.

P.S.-I intend buying a horse at Hazerabagh, as I shall be able to afford the necessary sum from the savings made while in that station-a space of three years.

Chinsura, Nov. 24th, 1838.

My dear Father-On this day, Nov. 24th, I wrote you a letter, per Overland, but thinking it might not reach you in time, or perhaps not at all, I judged it safe to write this

duplicate, which I intend sending off with the greatest possible dispatch. A casualty has taken place in this corps, which gives me as of right (being senior ensign) the promotion to the lieutenancy. Many causes there are, however, which raise doubts in my mind as to my obtaining it. Previous to this two or three deaths have occurred, the vacancies caused by these have been filled up without purchase. Lord Hill may think, therefore, that sufficient favour has been shewn to the corps in allowing it to have had the run of so many steps without purchase, particularly as in my case the standing in the army of the next person for promotion is of so short a duration. I have only been two years and four months in the army, and he may on that account consider me not to be entitled to the lieutenancy. It is for this reason, therefore, that I am so urgent in writing to you, that you may be in time to use your influence in my favor. favor. An occurrence of this kind was so unexpected, that I did not think it necessary to give you notice before.

I have just written to Mrs. General Churchill to request her to beg her husband to obtain from Sir H. Fane my nomination to the lieutenancy in this country, of which, I think, I am certain-the difficulty lies at home.

On arriving at Hazerabagh I will write and tell all the wonders I see there; I look forward with much pleasure to the life there; everybody is so healthy-there the air is salubrious. In short, I anticipate everything delightful, perhaps from wishing to escape from Chinsura, and the pestilential vapours of Bengal. Love to Harriet, Helena, and the boys. I am, my dearest Father, Your most affectionate Son, J. S. CUMMING,

Ensign 9th regt.

P.S.-I send this to an agent in Calcutta, who will

dispatch it immediately.

Hazerabagh, March 26th, 1839.

My dearest Harriet-A lapse of nearly three or four months, without receiving a line from me, must no doubt be a subject of surprise to you all. My last was dated November, 1838, to my father, since which period I am delighted to say, that I can call Chinsura, detestable Chinsura, no longer my home.

We have now been four months breathing an atmosphere more conducive to health, and by far more enlivening and cheering to our natures. This is indeed a delightful climate (by comparison of course). The station is inland, on no river, but formed on a sort of table land, situated among ridges of hills, which are seen rising up in the distance on all sides; it is two thousand feet above the level of the sea, free from all jungles, for miles around, and consequently open to every breeze that blows. Oh! it really infuses a new existence into one; you cannot conceive with what feelings, almost of ecstacy, one enjoys the bracing air of the mornings and evenings. At those periods it is England in all but in name; ten months in the year are agreeable. The hot winds prevail during May and June, but even then the heat is not insupportable, as in Chinsura; by using tatties a pleasant draught of air is diffused through the house. You know what tatties are from description in books.

What now follows will perhaps cause a smile, as I may seem to have been paradisaical in my account of this fine country. I have not had, perhaps, much cause for satisfaction or enjoyment since I came here; but on the other hand, my feelings should not be only those of contentment and patience, but should be strongly endued with grateful, heartfelt, lasting thanks to that Almighty Father, who carefully watches over us all; and should I not acknowledge, with gratitude, my sense of that mercy, without which my