We are all monotony here. The last Overland brought no news, and we now anxiously await the next one, as it will bring us accounts of a most important period--the transactions in Parliament. I am become a zealous politician— quite a Conservative. Our ears are astounded by the reports of the insidious progress which the Catholics are now openly making even in England, and of the inhuman combinations they entered into for the destruction of all that is hostile to their projects. What is to become of Ireland, and its faithful ministers-the Protestant clergy?

We have received an account of Lord Norbury's murder. If you could, without incurring any expense, send out a newspaper now and then, it would be most acceptable. The Overland would be the best conveyance for newspapers, as it is not so expensive as per ship.

Our troops across the Indus have met with great difficulties; they are almost starving, their cattle are dying, and parties of the enemies daily carry off their camels, so that their state at present is not enviable. The officers are deeply involved in debt, when it was absolutely out of their power to prevent it. Government will not come forward and assist them, which it ought, if actuated by no other motives than those which duty would suggest. Their officers are discontented, and naturally so. There will shortly be a grand victory; I think we are luckly in escaping service under such disadvantages.

Now would be a good opportunity for obtaining a commission for one of the boys, if it could be in any way managed. There is not the same difficulty, and it certainly would be pleasant having two brothers in the same regiment, which can always be managed, supposing a commission was obtained in any other.

I am anxious to hear what are your future plans. I suppose you will rusticate in the country. How soon, and how truly have been verified your often-expressed remarks,

of what would be the conduct of two or three of our loving relations, when the time for displaying their actions arrived. I hope, however, that they will find themselves deceived in their calculations of defrauding us. There is something so unnatural in relatives, so nearly allied, goading each other on to quarrel and fight, where only that one party is actuated by sordid interest; everything might be arranged peaceably and to the satisfaction of all. How just was your opinion of them. I have written to William, under the idea that he is at college, Helena having mentioned so in her letter of October, 1838.

I shall be delighted to hear that you are all happy and comfortable in old Magheracloone, and likely to remain. Love to sisters and brothers.

Believe me, my dearest Father,

Your most affectionate and dutiful Son,
JAMES SLATOR CUMMING.

Hazerabagh, May 14th, 1839.

My dearest Helena-While penning this I am held in a state of suspense and doubt as to what is to be my course of action for at least two or three months after this date. I yesterday learned that the attornies of Walsh and Co. have not given up their design of subpœning me, if possible. They failed in their application to the Court of Calcutta, but it now appears that they intend acting on their own authority, as subsequently they wrote to Captain Smith, of this regiment, to induce him to serve me with the subpœna. He, however, sent Major Douglas to me, in order first to be made acquainted with my wishes on the subject. I intimated my disapproval, and he has consequently declined acting. They are, however, determined to serve me with it; as to have effect, it must be in my hands before the

29th of May; so much for their side of the question. On the other hand, I strongly suspect their mode of proceeding is altogether illegal. I forgot to mention that Major Douglas procured two papers from Captain Smith, and took a copy of each, which are now in my possession; they consist of prayer of bill and order, of Walsh and others. The contents of the first you, of course, are acquainted with; second is an order obtained from the Master of the Rolls, in Dublin, to oblige us, viz.-Mrs. Fagan, Mr. and Mrs. Franco, and myself, to appear in Dublin by October next, to answer as defendants. I am, therefore, as yet, in doubt how to act.

Major Douglas, however, has written to a friend of his, a lawyer in Calcutta, for advice, when I shall be able to see my way more clearly; at present my idea is, that I should set their proceedings at defiance-the fact of minority, and having a guardian in my father at home, would, I think, justify me in so doing. However, as I know that want of experience precludes my daring to form any judgment in such matters, I must spend my time in conjecturing.

And now, my dear Helena, will you believe that the very last letter received from you is dated the same day and month as this that I am now writing-one long year and only one letter, ought I not to feel anxious. I am often tempted to tax you with neglect, but that cannot be, and I as often reassure myself by attributing the detention of letters to the mishaps of a long sea voyage. Hope, however, carries me on from day to day, until though long deferred, it finally fulfils the expectation of its dependent. I console myself, therefore, with a certainty of hearing from you, however distant that certainty may prove. The death of grandmama has excited a blaze that may involve in ruin the little fortunes of more than one individual, fanned, as it will certainly be, by the exertions of that great family agitator, L. H. T—s, and his able pupil

and son.

The Walshes under such tuition are quite alive to their own interests, as I see that in their petition before the Court they speculate that the money arising from the sale of the N-property, is to be burdened with the whole costs of the suit. I see also that Mrs. E. W- considers herself entitled to Caroline's portion, to yours and Harriet's detriment. I earnestly hope, for your sakes, that their purposes may prove unsuccessful; but I greatly fear that the result of all these disputes will be, the bestowal of a shell to each disputant, while the oyster falls to the share of the wily go between. However, in this case there is no help for it, we are to become the victims per force—aggression calls for defence, though entailing a large amount of loss; and the chance of preserving a little, by activity is preferable to losing the whole by inactivity.

As I sit looking out from my room on the scene around, I fancy the contrast it must bear to that of sweet Magheracloone; at the same season, there, now all is in bloom; nature appears in greatest loveliness-every animated creature seems with ecstacy to be enjoying its short-lived existence, and all is happiness and joy around. Here nature is blighted and parched; languor and exhaustion reigns on all sides, and life seems for ever prostrated under the prevailing influence of that tyrant, Sol; however, he will soon have run his course of distinction, and the country will again be clothed in its former cheerful and pleasing aspect. The present year will prove a momentous period to you-and as it has begun in doubt and annoyance, may it close with comfort and satisfaction.

With me there is no local occurrence likely to affect. I, like my companions, must be contented to jog on quietly; and should I ever feel uneasy, it is only when my thoughts turn towards your present difficulties. I also could fill pages with questions, were I sure of answers to all of them. You make no mention of friends in London,

but I suppose the probability of never seeing them again, has driven the recollection of them from your mind. Of your friend in this country I have latterly heard nothing; she is still at Simla; her father is at Bombay with General Fane. Of Mrs. F. Francos, &c. &c. I know nothing. One of George Thomas's children died a few days ago at Sangor-but this is no interest to you. The monotony of our situation here never relaxes. We have had Lieutenant B—— here some time; his marriage with Miss J has been broken off; and since his arrival in Calcutta he engaged himself to a Miss M, daughter to some gentleman of that name, and the match was to have taken place in the ensuing month. A few days ago, however, a letter informed him of her unexpected death; so that he is thus again released from what he is perhaps destined never to consummate ;—enough of him. I would not have said so much of him, only that I knew you were interested for Miss J- I must not omit to give you some intelligence which has just reached us, and which may change our destinies.

The death of the great chief, Rungeet Sing--this occurrence may entail a succession of difficulties upon our Governor-General; additional troops will be required to march against and take possession of Oude and Lahore. It is an immense extent of country, the numerous chiefs of which, restrained in subjection by the power and iron rule of Rungeet, have only been awaiting the favorable moment of his death to seek in rebellion their own aggrandisement. In short, there will be a general conflagrationwhat the result will be it is difficult to foresee. The present resources of John Company are certainly not adequate to the coming crisis. However, things are not so bad as in Lord Clive's time, and there are still the same noble hearts, the same calm endurance, and the same intrepidity as existed in his difficulties.