the campaign less important in a political point of view: the superiority of British discipline and valour, conducted by skilful leaders, over immense armies chiefly organized according to European tactics, had been fully demonstrated; a just dread of its invincible character had repressed the reckless ambition and rapacity of the native princes and chieftains, whose predatory wars had laid waste the fairest provinces of India. A general confidence was excited, both at home and abroad, in the vigour of our arms, and the extent of our military resources, while the advantages so rapidly and brilliantly obtained were likely to prove permanent from the happy experience, and the consequent just and universal opinion entertained by the natives themselves, of the integrity and the mildness of British sway."*

* It should, perhaps, be observed, that peace having been re-established by separate treaties with the confederates, the general repose was for a short time disturbed by the predatory chief Holkar, who spared neither friend nor foe, and he had actually made an attack upon his ally Scindiah's fort during the negotiations of the latter with the British. It was still an object of policy to the Marquis of Wellesley to keep him quiet, if possible; and it was proposed to conclude an engagement with him, provided he would bind himself to abstain from any act of aggression against the British government and its allies. An amusing specimen of the weak presumption of these predatory chiefs is met with in his reply to General Wellesley, who still commanded in the Deccan. He demanded, as the price of peace, "the cession of certain districts, and threatened that in the event of a war taking place, though he might not be able to oppose the English in the field, he would lay waste countries of many hundred coss (two English miles), and plunder and burn them all. That he would not allow the British Commander-in-chief to have leisure to breathe for a single moment, and that calamities should fall on hundreds of thousands of human beings, in continual war, by the desperate attacks of his army, which overwhelms like the waves of the sea."

We need not say that this insolent and most ludicrous letter made no impression on the conduct of the British government, but adopting the proper measures to curb his mischievous power, sent an expedition to bring him to reason in the month of April following. It was something for Holkar that he could boast the honour of drawing the Commander-in-chief once more into the field, to try the merits of their several armies; like Scindiah and the haughty Rajah of Berar, he too must have his British campaign. The operations were principally conducted by General Lake; the army in the Deccan, under General Wellesley, having little more to do than to summon the strong fortress of Chandore, whose fall, speedy as it was, could add little to the splendid reputation he had already acquired. The complete discomfi

At this period, so auspicious for the future destinies of our great empire, the Marquis Wellesley, anxious to accompany a brother, who had more than realized his proudest expectations, on his return to Europe, resigned his important duties as Governorgeneral, and had soon the satisfaction to learn that the Marquis of Cornwallis had been appointed to succeed him in his high and responsible trust. Preparations were made for their departure without loss of time; and, in March, 1805, General Wellesley embarked on board his Majesty's ship Trident, and ture of the mighty Holkar's forces-overwhelming as the waves of the seaalmost immediately brought about that general pacification and submission to the British power which had been the great object of the successive campaigns.

On the 5th of March, Major-general Wellesley was invited by the officers of the garrison of Madras, to honour them with his company at a grand banquet, at which the Governor and other persons of distinction were likewise present. After dinner the following spirited song, composed for the occasion, is stated to have been sung in full chorus:

Begin the song of triumph, resound the martial strain,

To Britain's shores returning, brave Wellesley quits the plain,
Where Victory exulting, her conquering flag still rears,
And led to glory or to death her British grenadiers.

Our enemies reviving, rejoice in his return,

But soon shall fade the flattering hopes that in their bosoms burn;

For from his great example fresh heroes still shall rise,

Nor e'er the sun of conquest set in these unclouded skies.

We mourn the gallant soldier who for his country bleeds,
But to the painful sacrifice, a balmy calm succeeds;
And though the transient storm of war obscure the rising day,
The star of peace shall brighter shine that gilds its coming ray.

Then, Wellesley, though retiring from yon ensanguined field,
Where Mars thy might extending made Scindiah's legions yield,
So shall a livelier joy be thine, when, with protecting care,
Plenty and liberty have spread their mingled blessings there.

Then sing the song of triumph, once more the martial strain,
To Britain's shores returning, brave Wellesley quits the plain;
A little time the Conqueror for all his toils repays,

It gives him all a soldier asks-his King and country's praise.

shortly afterwards set sail for England, where he arrived towards the close of the year.

It cannot be uninteresting to the reader, in describing the life of a distinguished soldier, to remark the manner in which he takes leave of those with whom he had shared the toils and dangers of successive campaigns. In nothing did the frank and high-minded character of General Wellesley appear more clearly than in the noble and affectionate terms in which he bids farewell to his brave companions in arms.*

"Major-general Sir Arthur Wellesley informs the troops under his command, that he has received the permission of his Excellency the Governor-general to resign the political and military powers with which he had been lately intrusted in the Deccan, and the leave of his Excellency the Commander-inchief to proceed to England.

"He cannot avoid expressing the regret which he feels upon taking leave of officers and troops with whom he has served so long.

"In the course of the period of time which has elapsed since Major-general Wellesley was appointed to a command of the division of this army, various services have been performed by the troops, and great difficulties have been surmounted, with a steadiness and perseverance which have seldom been surpassed. Upon every occasion, whether in garrison or in the field, the Major-general has had reason to be satisfied with their conduct, and he once more returns them his thanks, and assures them that he shall never forget their services, or cease to feel a lively in terest in whatever may concern them.

"He earnestly recommends to the officers of the army, never to lose sight of the general principles of the military service, to preserve the discipline of the troops, and to encourage in their respective corps the spirit and sentiments of gentlemen and of

* General order by Major-general the Hon. Sir A. Wellesley, K.B., Fort St. George, 9th of March, 1805.

soldiers, as the most certain road to the attainment of every thing that is great in their profession.

"Upon the occasion of taking leave of the troops who have been so long under his command, Major-general Wellesley cannot avoid to notice and record the assistance which he has received from officers commanding districts and divisions under his orders...

"The troops belonging to the army in the Deccan, entitled to share in the prize-money of the late war, are informed, that measures have been taken to ensure, at an early period, the division of that part of it not yet divided." *

Despatches, &c.

CHAPTER IV.

(1805 to 1808.)

Returns to England-Defends his brother in parliament-Joins the expedition to Copenhagen-Siege of the city-Successes of the English- Bombardment-Success of Sir A. Wellesley in command of the troops-Re. turns to England-The Spanish war-Policy of Napoleon-Political retrospect-State of Spain-Parties—Intrigues-Hatred of the French -Insurrection of the people-Apply to England-Weakness of the British government-Insurrection of the Portuguese-Expedition under Sir Arthur-Progress in Spain and Portugal-Sails from Corunna-Battle of Roliça.

In the autumn of the same year* the British government, having fitted out an expedition to proceed to Hanover, under the command of Lord Cathcart, the high reputation already acquired by Major-general Wellesley immediately pointed him out as an officer likely to confer additional honour upon the public service.† A fleet sailed from the Downs on the 4th of November, with a force of upwards of 13,000 men,

* September, 1805.

During the interval of General Wellesley's residence in England, he was appointed to the command of a brigade in one of the home districts. "There is no situation, and there are no circumstances in which an officer of the army may be placed, that will not, in some manner or other, be stamped with the superior principles of the thorough soldier. An intimate friend having remarked in familiar terms to Sir A. Wellesley, when at Hastings, how he, having commanded armies of forty thousand men in the field having received the thanks of Parliament for his services, and having been made Knight of the Bath, could submit to be reduced to the command of a brigade of infantry? For this plain reason,' was the answer : 'I am nimmukwallah, as we say in the east; that is, I have ate of the King's salt, and therefore I conceive it to be my duty to serve with unhesitating zeal and cheerfulness, when and wherever the King and his government may think proper to employ me.' This maxim has the more force, from there being officers in the army who, unfortunately for them, having declined