The Sun.
London, England, 1864-11-16 00:00:00

Farewell Ball to Sir Hugh Rose at Simla.

(From the Iftmalaya Star and 1 _lndian Military Gazette, of

October 5.)

The farewell ball given by the military society of Simla,
on Tuesday last, to Sir llugh Rose, was one of the most
brilliant gatherings ever seen in this place. It was not the
gay dresses—it was not the brilliant illumination, but it was
the earnest heartiness with which one and all entered into
its object, who were assembled to do honour to its chief, and
the sincere spirit of friendship and pride with which that
honour was received and acknowledged by the chief the head
of the army, which made this ball above all others an em-
phatic declaration of the esteem and respect whieh he has
won for himself since his tenure of office. The whole of the
members of council and distinguished heads of society in
Simla, military and civilians, one and all assembled in an
unanimous gathering to bid farewell to Sir Hugh Rose.
There was not one who had not received proof of his un-
varying justness, kindness of heart, impartiality, and con-
sideration for the merits or services of the youngest officer
in the army. So far did this feeling extend that officers
from all parts of the country within reach of Simla crowded
up to take their share in token of farewell ; and never has
Simla in the gayest season been so crowded as within the
last few days. The arrival at the Assembly-rooms com-
menced at an early hour. Amongst the earlier arrivals we
noticed Sir Robert and Lady Napier, Lady Trevelyan, and
other distinguished heads of society ; it was much regretted
that his Excellency the Viceroy from his late domestic
affi'ction was unable to be present. By 10 o'clock the room
was crowded with the most brilliant and varied assembly.
His Excellency himself arrived at a little past 10 o'clock,
accompanied by his large staff. He was received at the
door by Sir Robert Napier and the officers. On his arrival
in the room dancing commenced, and was continued till 2
o'clock, when supper was announced. Beside the tasteful
and handsome decoration of the ball-room were hung
banners with the names of all Sir Hugh's victories. The
Commander-in-Chief led in Lady Napier to supper, fol-
lowed by Sir Robert Napier and Lady Trevelyan, and all
the other distinguished guests. The crowd was so great
that nearly all the officers had to standup eitner in the room
or in the racket court gallery. This, although probably not
looked forward to by many, added very much to the bril
liancy of the scene.
Sir R. NAPIER, after a short period, then rose amidst
much and general cheering, to propose Sir Hugh Rose's
health. Be said—The very gratifying duty has devolved
upon me of representing the military community of Simla
this evening, in expressing our desiro to do honour to our
illustrious and gallant guest. That duty has devolved upon
me, not in any civil capacity, as a member of the Govern-
ment of India, but as-:the senior military officer, and in this
character, equally with. My brother officers present, under
the command of his Excellency the Commander in Chief.
It would not therefore be proper: for me to d well on the ad-
ministration of this great army, but this much I may be
allowed to say, never has the army of India had a chief
more earnestly solicitous to ensure its efficiency than his
Excellency Sir Hugh Rose. Never, I believe, has the army
of India been in a more efficient condition than it is at the
present moment. Never has the army of India had a chief
whom it would have followed to the field against a foe
worthy of it with fuller confidence of success than this army
would feel under its present commander in chief. Although
the finger of discipline warns us from forbidden ground, we
may turn without reserve to the achievements of the gallant
Colonel Hugh Rime, who, without a moment's hesitation,
summoned the British fleet to the rescue of Turkey in her
hour of peril. No doubt many of us regret that there was
not a gallant Colonel Hugh Rose at Copenhagen, and a
British fleet within call, to save a kindred race from fall-
ing from their place among nations. There are many rea-
sons why we desire to do all honour to our gallant and
distinguished chief. He led a portion of the army from
Bombay through Central India in a course of brilliant
victories which will illuminate one of the brightest pages of
Indian history. From Ratghur, Baroda, Muddunpoor to
Jhansi and Calpee, culminating in the crowning victory of
Gwalior, eight bloody assaults and three general actions

were won by our indomitable chief in spite of the greatest
obstacles. But, ladies and gentlemen, we have other reasons
more nearly connected with the present occasion (or doing
honour to our guest. I need hardly say I allude to his
constant and generous efforts to promote the happiness and
amusement of the society of Simla. His kind courteous-
ness and hospitality have been extended equally to those of
high standing and position, and to the youngest officers of
the army. Sir Hugh Rose has always been ready to en-
courage the youngest ensigns, and to draw out any infor-
mation they might possess. Ladies and gentlemen, the
memory of the kind hospitality of Sir Hugh Rose will en-
dure as long as Simla lasts. I propose "The health of Sir
Hugh Rose,"
The toast was druhk with three times three and one

How could the first be anything but a success when the
rising Indian army was entrusted to leaders who, inheriting
the spirit of Plaesy and Assa3 e, had won reputations in In-
dian fields of honour, who had commanded for months the
weak and shattered defences of Lucknow, who had held
their own against any odds on the ridge of Delhi, and from
it stormed its fortifications. We may all be proud of our
young native army, whose merits have already been tested
in the field, whose fidelity has already spurned temptation,
and whose discipline knows no exceptions. It was an easy
task to blend into one two British armies which were
already united in tame ; for if the one army had always con-
quered in India, the other had carried its colours all round
the world with success. It was enough to ask the British
armies of India whether they would, serve their Queen and
country anywhere and everywhere—whether " inique"
should be their motto. The answer was what I knew it
would he—one general, enthusiastic affirmative. Certainly,
I regret to give up this great command, which must satisfy
any honourable ambition, however wide its range ; which I
owe not to my merits, but to my gracious Sovereign's
favour, and to the brilliant services of British and native
troops of the Bombay army, whose bravery and devotion
will rest in my recollection as long as memory lasts, Cer-
tainly, I regret to bid adieu, after five years' happy rela-
tions, to an army which—my partiality may be excused—l
think second to none: Still, it is happiness to part with an
army on the best of terms ; to leave them with an efficiency
which all admire, who know what soldiers ought to be; to
leave them with a discipline which not only always obeys,
but anticipates the wishes of their commander; which has
a resource for every obstacle, and meets every difficulty
with devotion—the best of all discipline, in which the
highest sense of duty goes hand in hand with goodwill ;
that goodwill which springs from merit rewarded, interests
protected, and the conviction that the wish beyond all others
which superiors have at heart is the welfare of the army,
Once more, ladies and gentlemen, I thank you more than
words can say for this beautiful ball, and the honour you
have done mg" in drinking my health with such tokens of
esteem, The honour is enhanced by the toast having been
given by Sir Robert Napier. His kind feeling has led him
to speak in too high terms of praise of my humble services.
We made our acquaintance in the field ; and friendships of
the field are the truest and most lasting. To mo Sir
Robert Napier was a gallant and successful companion in
arms. Leaving his encumbrances in the rear, he pursued
from Owalior our common enemy with horse artillery and
cavalry ; overtook, engaged, and routed them ; 27 pieces of
artillery were the trophies of this dashing achievement. I
beg to propose " the health of Sir Robert Napier," who has
added another wreath of laurel to the chivalrous name he
bears, and of the officers of the army who must rejoice at
being represented by so worthy a head.
This is but a weak and hurried description of what may
be called the worthy close of a gay and brilliant season. We
doubt whether in anything of a similar nature at Simla
there has been more sincerity shown by all to make the ball
worthy of its guest—such heartfelt regret at the cl,parture
from our shores of one of the best commanders-in-chief
India has ever seen; or such a desire by all civil and mili-
tary to show the head of the army the esteem and respect
in which he has been held by all under his command, or
who have ever been associated with him in public or pri-
vate life.

SPORTING INTELLIGENCE.