The Sun.
London, England, 1849-04-17 00:00:00

LITERATURE.
HISTORY OF THE REIGNING FA.v.ur
OF LAHORE. By Major G. Carmichael
Smyth.
Now that the definitive annexation of the Punjaub
is all but a fait accompli—now that the Government at
Calcutta has resolved upon the extension of the
northern boundaries of British India as far as the
base of the Himalayas—the present volume has
ac-
quired a very peculiar importance. Recent occur-
rences have tended to enhance the.
interest b of
ath e
work more than the gallant editorcould
chance have anticipated. The victories ofyLonild Gough at Chillianwallah and Goojerat have been im-
measurably better than a thousand eulogistic ad-
vertisements. Major Carmichael Smyth while penning,
as he may have imagined, an account of an adjacent
province, has recounted the narrative of one
of our
own integral dependencies ; unless, that is to say,
some miraculous adversity bsfal the administra-
tion of Dalhousie I The history before us is
another chapter added to the voluminous annals of
Orme, and of Mill. As such we receive it, and as
such, we doubt not, it will be regarded by future
historiographers. As the writer himself informs
us in his " Introduction," the materials here
accumulated into a substantial volume have been
derived from information variously acquired from the
verbal and epistolary, communications of Seik Sirdars,
from European officers in the Seik service, and from
a miscellaneous assortment of native manuscripts.
This information relates to the most interesting histo-
rical details respecting the reigning, family of Lahore,
together with accounts of the Jummoo Rajas, the
Seik soldiers and their Sirdars. The whole of these
narratives are authenticated by the name of the edi-
tor, Major G. C. Smyth, who is an officer in the
Bengal Light Cavalry; and the text is completed by
a copious appendix, consisting of notes on Malcolm,
Prinsep, Lawrence, Steinbach, Macgregor, and the
Calcutta Review. As an additional attraction we
may mention the insertion of numerous etchings, taken
from native drawings, representing the more illustri-
ous of the potentates whd, in successive generations,
have presided over the warlike races north of the
Sutlej ; a genealogical table of the Jummoo family;
and a map of the city of Lahore, from the actual survey
taken in 1847. Worthy, however, as even these
details are of consideration, as tending to throw new
light upon a theme hitherto but indifferently compre-
hended, and one which assumes each day a more
prominent importance, they are in a singular degree
subordinate to the literary attractions with which the
volume is replete throughout. Nothing appears to
be loosely recorded upon mere hearsay ; the subject
has been well digested ; and the history:is related
with an admirable sequence. After recounting the
earlier history of the descendants of Kauloo---a
Hindoo Jilt of the Varaich caste who, after settling
at Sauseree, not far from Umritair, became the pro-
genitor of the famous Runjeet Singh. It is rather a
singular coincidence that the battle which inarnedi.
ately preceded the death of Mahe Singh, the father of
Runjeet, was fought in 1787 at Goojerat (p. 12), the
scene of Lord Gough's last victory. After relating
the more memorable occurrence in the youth of
Runjeet Singh, when leader of the Sukercbuckia
Missall, the author explains to us the Secret History of
the Lahore Durbar, relating immediately afterwards
the circumstances under which Shere Singh laid siege
to the capital. Several episodes diversify this portion
of the volume, such for instance as those relating to
Ghoolab Singh and Affghanistan, to the murders of
Jewalla Singh and of Ranee Chnnd flour, to the
assassinations of Shere Singh and Dehan Singh, and
to the punishment of the murderers. Subsequently
we are introduced to the other conspicuous chief-
tains, to Dhuleep Singh, the Wuzeer Heera 6ingh,
Peshora Singh, Jewahir Singh, Raja Lall Singh, the
Akalee Phoola Singh, the Wuzeer Zoroveroo, Futteh
Khan Tewanab, and the numerous members of the
great family of Jummoo. In the career of
these remarkable men there are enough vicissi-
tudes, calamities, and tragedies to furnish subjects
for a century of romance writers, and these thrilling
tales of treachery and heroism, of murder and con-
quest are narrated by Major G. Carmichael Smyth
with a pen, rapid, earnest, and perspicuous. As
among the more striking passages, we may particu-
larize the vivid descriptions of the Soodhun Revolt,
of the mutiny in Cashmere, and of the rise, the pro-
gress, and the casualties of the war with the British.
The work is the fruit of the most laborious research
among records sufficiently obscure to baffle the scru-
tiny of the most accomplished antiquary, and suffi-
ciently scattered to damp the ardour of the most
enterprising traveller. All these difficulties have,
nevertheless, been overcome by the gallant author,
and the result is a production honourable to his intel-
ligence as a soldier and to his capabilities as an his-
torian. Inasmuch as the book under consideration
dissipates a multitude of erroneous statements
in the well• known writings of such men as
Major Lawrence and Colonel Steinbach its value is
at once appreciable. And, all things borne in recol-
lection, we may rest satisfied that had Major Broad-
foot survived to witness the completion of this history
he would not have repented that suggestion which
1,11 from his lips when he was last met by Major G. C.
Smyth, at Loociians, a suggestion out of which the
whole composition is acknowledged to have origi-
nated. Could the former distinguished officer but
be conscious now of the realisation of his hint, he
would experience an emotion of pleasure on glancing
at the volume, to perceive that generous tribute to his
memory conveyed in the eccentric but graceful and
manly dedication.

SPORTING INTELLIGENCE.
TAT FERSALL'S.—YESTERDAY.
803IERSETSHIRE STAKES.
2 to 1 ngst Mr. Gregory's Loupgarou, 3 yrs, Sat
5 to 1 agat Mr. A. Goddard na. Brandytaco, 5 yrs,
7st 71b
7 to 1 agst Lord Strathmore na Bacchanalian, 4 yrs,
6st 41b—taken
10 to 1 agst Mr. Whieldon's Cashier, 3 yrs, 4st 101
—taken
METROPOLITAN HANDICAP.
3 to 1 agst Lord llowth's Peep-o'-Day Boy, 5 yrs,
Bst 71b
6 to 1 agst Lord Eglinton's Lugar, 3 yrs, 4st 101 b
7 to 1 agst Mr. Green's Flatcatcher, 4 yrs, Etst-
-7 to 1 agst Sir J. Ilawley's Fernhill 4 yrs, Est 81b
10 to 1 agst Mr. Osbaldeston's Fugleman, 4 yrs, 6st
131 b—taken
20 to 1 agst Mr. Gordon's Do-the-Boys, 3 yrs, sst—t
The disappearance of Canezou and Executor, both of
whom are said to be amiss, brought Peep-o'-Day Boy
more strongly into favour than ever, and also gave Fern-
hill, Flatcsicher, and Fogleman a lift. The investments,
however, were on a very limited scale.
TWO THOUSAND GUINEAS STAKES.
500 even on Mr. A. Nichol's Nonnykirk
ONE THOUSAND GUINEAS STAKES.
Even on the field agst Itosulia and Sister to Arkwright
CHESTER CUP.
14 to 1 agst Mr. F. Clarke's Joe o' Sot, 5 yrs, 6st Illb
15 to 1 apt Mr. Merry's Chanticleer, 6 yrs, 9st 91b
—taken
30 to 1 agst Lord Chesterfield's Lady Wildair,
aged, Bst
50 to l agst Mr. Campbell na Cast-off, 4 yrs, Sst 81b—t
DERBY.
2 to 1 agat Lord Eglinton's Flying Dutchman—t
11 to 2 apt Col. Peel's Tadrnor—takeu
13 to 2 agst Mr. A. Nichol's Nunnykirk—taken
12 to 1 agst Sir C. Monck's Vanguard—taken
33 to 1 agst Mr. Watts's Chatterer-40 to 1 t. freely
50 to I agst Lord Clitden's Honeycomb
The three favourites maintain the relative positions in
which they were quoted at the Craven Meeting, the
Dutchman alone showing any improvement. Vanguard
was backed at 12 to 1, and Chatterer at 40 to 1, to 4001.,
and afterwards for a small sum at 33 to 1. Business
very flat.

DERRY, 1850.
50 to 1 agst Duke of Richmond's Compass—taken
50 to 1 agst Lord Clifden's Sidus—taken
THE METROPOLITAN HANDICAP.—The settling for
this race will take place at Tattersall's on Saturday next.

An extraordinary general meeting of the proprietors
of the Provincial Bank of Ireland was held to-day, for
the purpose of electing a director in the room of John
Alliston, Esq., who had resigned. Sir J. W. Hogg,
Bart., M.P., was elected in the room of the above-
uarilltitehge directors
and by them shall be
above-
named gentleman; and the following alterations in the
That
ehsaect
deed of settlement were, after a little explanatory dis-
pTohp:tietthore
cussion. carried unaniannodu.stlYh::h‘
trustees
t epeesrsoofn persons specifically
e bank,
election.h pro-
pertydect'Qrsi of not
less than two of such trustees. That any r
proprietor for
of the bank shall be placed in the names
bolding the necessary qualification may e elected a
director, though ho may not have boon
shares of proprietors shall be ay bo'r
six months previous to the da
their debts and liabilities to the bank."
ROTA!. NAVAL BENEVOLENT
terday morning a " INSTITUTION.---YOll.
gene 1
held at the Thatched House
of this society was
Charles Malcolm in these Tavern, Vice-Admiral Sir
chair. The secretary,Commander
Dickson, read a letter from Rear-Admiral Sir C. Ogle,
thanking the society for the honour done to him on his
withdrawal at thei • r last meeting • and two resolutions
were agreed to, determi • bring 9 h
determining to Le society under
the •
notice of Sir F. T.
Baring,
the First Lord of the
Admir •
alty . and the Right Hon. the Lord Mayor, with a
view to obtaining their assistance and suppor. The
income since the Ist of January last amounted to
1,953/. ss. ld., including a former balance of 7141, and
annual subscriptions to the amount of 6611 14s. The
expenditure, including 3001. distributed in grants to ap-
plicants, amounted to 6121. 12s. 5d., leaving a balance of
1,3401. 12s. Bd. This report was received, and some in-
teresting correspondence relative to the efficiency and
utility of the Adult Orphan Asylum, and the Royal
Naval Female School, both of which are aided and
patronised by the society, was read. The gentlemen
present then proceeded to consider the claims of no less
than eighty applicants for assistance, and distributed in
grants between 3001. and 4001. The meeting separated
after a vote of thanks to the chairman.
GREAT WESTEIN RAILWAY.—This company is
about, not to re-adopt, as it has been stated, its old sys-
tem of return tickets, but to issue day tickets. The
return tickets allowed three days to the passenger ring
to and returning from Exeter.
„ The day ticket. will be
1 precisely what 111,4 DIM Vlell9loll,