he goes, and with an influence which cultivation always gives, the young officer can do much for the good of man, the honour of his God, and for his own future peace, by the manner in which he uses his powers of conversation."

In visiting among your brother subalterns, or even in the higher grades in camp, your servant always attends with your chair, knives, forks, spoons, plates, and glasses; your host provides the viands and wines. A bachelor, under the rank of a major, is never expected to have with him anything more than a marching establishment.

If possible never sleep in the open air, or in a draught; many think in such a climate they may do it with impunity, but it is a most fatal error, and, if indulged in, chronic rheumatism, paralysis, and other formidable diseases will assuredly be the consequence. Before you retire for the night, put out your light previous to your placing your watch and purse, or any valuable articles, in their proper place, for the tent-doors are generally made of very thin strips of strong rush, so fastened together as to admit both light and air; everything, therefore, is seen from the outside, and well noted by the thieves who pay visits to your camp in numberless disguises. Everything you value should be placed under lock and key; and with a light chain passed through the handles or round your boxes, the whole may be secured to the tentpole. The thieves of India are proverbial for their

dexterity; the pillow and the head which rests on it are often insufficient to protect the watch lying under them; the best safeguard is a small terrier, or other watchful dog. If at any time you feel perfectly convinced a thief is in your tent, do not make use of fire-arms, for the chances are ten to one that, instead of the thief, the ball will strike some one of the numerous camp-followers who lie about in every direction; the safest weapon is the sword, but your movements must be so quietly performed as not to excite his attention, or your chance of catching him will be gone. Their usual mode is to divest themselves of all clothing, well oil or grease their bodies, and then imitating the howl of a dog, prowl about on all fours until they find an opportunity of cutting the sides, or entering the door of your tent, having observed, when your candle was alight, the place of deposit of your different articles.

On the march, servants are very apt to oppress and cheat the villagers in their purchases for your table, charging you full price, and giving them about a quarter the amount. This is frequently unavoidable, as the servants take good care to prevent complaints being made, and if you do not understand the language, the poor villager has no chance of redress.

Every officer, in passing through a military station, is required to report his arrival to the station staff-officer, for the information of the officer

commanding; and it is a compliment due to the latter to pay your respects personally, in full uniform. If you are under a senior officer, he will mention your arrival in his report, and allow you to accompany him in his visit of ceremony to the commanding officer. The daily distance generally travelled on the march is ten or twelve miles, commenced about three o'clock in the morning, and arrive on your ground about a quarter or half an hour after sun-rise; a cold bath and your breakfast you are then perfectly ready for. Avoid as much as possible exposure to the sun; when duty calls you, of course there should be no hesitation; but a needless exposure is sure to be attended with unpleasant results. Take an account of your bazaar expenses every night or morning; if you allow them to run on for two or three days, you may be certain you will have to pay for more than you have had, and take care in reciting the items your servant does not give as two separate articles, the Hindoostanee and the English name of ONE, which they very frequently will do; here again is another inducement for you speedily to acquire the language of the country; every day you will find some fresh reason for considering a knowledge of the native language indispensable.

Pistols are not absolutely necessary for infantry officers, but a pair of good-sized pocket ones may be at times useful in travelling through the jungle and unfrequented paths; an adventure might call

them into action, but you cannot be too cautious in using them, and never allow your servants to touch them on any account. Before you leave the Presidency, take care to get receipts from all those to whom you have paid money, and make it an invariable rule always to keep receipts; for the want of this caution many have been obliged the same bills twice.

to pay

Some young men are very fond of chopping and changing their horses, dogs, guns, &c.; avoid this, it will lead to disputes, suspicions, and, perhaps, open accusations of wanting to deceive or overreach. If you have a good horse, dog, or gun, or any other thing which answers your purpose, you should leave "well" alone, and be contented, or in changing you may have cause to regret it: besides, the habit of bartering is not compatible with your profession. Let not the cheapness of any article which is unnecessary tempt you. Do not indulge in that silly vanity of wishing to have finer horses, more servants, or a larger establishment than the generality of officers of your own grade; "Economy is the life of the army," a maxim often quoted, but I fear seldom followed. It is, unfortunately, by the inexperienced and young, generally despised as a low virtue, tending to selfishness, and frequently mistaken for avarice. The difference between the two is as great as possible; the one grasps all for the pleasure of mere accumulation, the other lays up for himself the

permanent ́power of being useful and generous. Never, therefore, ridicule the man whom you see denying himself pleasures, which his apparent means may warrant, until you know the motive which actuates him. He may have an aged and distressed mother at home; sisters or brothers dependent upon his kindness, or feeling the want of domestic comforts; he may be wisely laying up a store to provide a comfortable home for his future partner for life.