The Sun.
London, England, 1858-08-16 00:00:00

LITERATURE.

An Account of the Mutinies in Oudh, and of the Siege
of the Luchnow Residency. By Martin R. Gubbins,
of the Bengal Civil Service. Bentley.
Several unfortunae circumstances have delayed
the publication of this work. A great part of it was
lost in the wreck of the Ava, while being forwarded
to England, and the author was consequently com-
pelled to rewrite it from the rough notes of his
journal. Unfortunately he was unable to replace
some of his losses, among them a narrative of Gene-
ral Havelock's campaign, dictated by his son,,who
had shared in the dangers and glory of his memorable
exploits. The loss of many illustrations taken on the
spot is also to be regretted, but enough remains
to
render the volume as interesting and attractive, as it is
valuable as an authentic narrative. The author; as
Financial Commissioner for Otulh, had peen in con-
st ant communication with the natives during the time
of the British administration of that province. He
had mixed freely both with the talookdars and the
villagers, had examined their grievances and made a
tour through the entire province, with the object of
testing the summary settlement of the Land Revenue.
In many instances he was enabled greatly to reduce
the burdens imposed by the district officers. When
Or mutiny began he was intimate with the lamented
Sir Henry Lawrence, and had the management of
the Intelligence Department, by his desire, so long
as the transmission of intelligence was possible. Dur-
ing the terrible days of the siege the author was again
conspicuous. His house and compound was one of
the mostexposed outposts, and suffered severely from
the siege, but fortunately he escaped unwounded,
though his health was much injured by the privations
and exertions he had snared with the rest of the brave
defenders of Lucknow. The illustrations are very
useful in conveying a good idea of the spots referred
to, and the style of the narrative is clear and able.
The author examines minutely the different supposi-
tions as to the cause of the mutiny, and concludes his
survey by attributing it to the bad organisation, want
of discipline, and discontent of the native army ; the
suspicion that had been excited by the rapid educa-
tional changes and enactments, affecting Hindoo
usages, and the examinations to which all public ser-
vants were subjected. These, and various other
similar causes, led, he imagines, to a general feeling of
distrust and suspicion in the minds of the natives,
whose credulity is in proportion to their ignorance,
and these suspicions were industriously fostered and
encouraged by the Brahmins. Another reason for
the outbreak is found in the small number of British
troops left in the north-west provinces. "No sooner
were the religious feelings of our discontented sol-
diery aroused, than the regiments began to cor-
respond, and to this soon succeeded conspiracy. The
Sepoys saw their own strength, and our alarm at
their proceedings, which it was impossible to con-
ceal. What position, indeed, could be more terrible
to the European officer ? Himself and his family
living in a thatched cottage, surrounded by a multi-
tude of armed men, who might at any moment rise,
fire his house, and destroy himself and those dear to
him! He had no place of refuge near, he dared take
no precaution for his safety, lest by manifesting his
mistrust he should provoke an outbreak ; but was
forced to dissemble, and assume a confidence which
he did not feel. These were indeed fearful days !
There was too much real cause for alarm, and the
Sepoy readily penetrated the disguise of assumed
confidence. Seeing but a handful of Europeans op-
posed to him, he soon considered himself sure of
success, and set on foot one vast conspiracy, which
was to extinguish the British rule and race in India
in one general massacre." The account of the terrible
anxieties and sad casualties of the siege are already
familiar to most English readers, from the records of
the survivors. They will not, however, regret to
have another added to the list ; especially as it pro-
ceeds from the pen of one who is so well qualified to
treat of the country and its people ; who has borne
the hardships and anxieties of the siege, and has
witnessed the death-beds of two such men as Sir
Henry Lawrence and General Havelock.

NAVAL. AND MILITARY INTELLIGENCE

PROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENTS.

WOOLWICH, AUG. 15.

The Palestine freight ship, taken up by the War Depart-
ment for the conveyance of troops and stores, arrived off the
dockyard on Friday, to embark a detachment of the Wool-
wich division of Royal Marine Light Infantry for the Island
of Ascension. Yesterday morning, at 11 o'clock, the detach-
ment, consisting of 86 non-commissioned officers and pri-
vates, assembled on parade, and after inspection by Col.
Tatton Brown, commandant, proceeded in marching order
from the Royal Marine Barracks to the dockyard, accom-
panied by the band of the corps, and embarked on board
the vessel, wkich has been well fitted up for the recep'ion
of the men, many of whom are married, and whose wives
and families have been allowed to accompany them. The
vessel loft for. her destination immediately after the em-
barkation.

E FUNERAL CAR OF NAPOLEON I.—The vehicle
used for the conveyance of Lie remains of Napoleon I. to his
tomb at Sr. Helena, and which was removed to the Royal
Military lit pository at Woolwich in 1828, has now been re-
stored to its original appearance, and will shortly be for-
warded front the Royal Arsenal to Paris, as a present from
her Majesty to the French Emperor. 'file publicity hereto-
fore given respecting the car has attracted the attention of
Mr. It. W. Norfor, a retired captain of the East India Com-`
pany's service, and now residing at Dover, who statett--
" In 1828, when in command of oue of the Company's ships,
lynneword bound from Bombay, I called at St. Helena
and was applied to by Sir Hudson Lowe to receive Napo-
leon's funeral car on hnaid and convey it to England. I
did so, and the car was unshipped at the East India Docks.
On inspecting the car before shipment I found it consisted
only of the axlettee part, with the wheels of the late Em-
peror's carriage. A platform had been added upon which
to rest the cotti2, with four iron rods to support a very ordi-
nary canopy." Two old pensioners residing in the vicinity
of Woolwich, one of whom was in the service of Sir Hudson
Lowe during Napoleon's captivity and death, have rendered
much assistance to Lieut.-Col. Tulloh, superintendent of the
royal carriage department, Woolwich Arsenal, from the
int4mation which they were enabled to give as to the origi-
nal appearance of the car. One of these men being by
trade an upholsterer was employed by Sir Hudson Lowe in
fitting up the drapery of the car, which, by the desire of
Napoleon, was constructed from his ordinary travelling
carriage.

A. detachment of the 12th battalion of Royal Artillery
proceeded to Purfieet on Saturday to relieve the detach-
ment on duty at that station. _ _

Arrangements are in progress to send out to India a pro-
portion of the wives and families of Royal Artillerymen
who have left this garrison for service in that country.
In consequence of alterations and improvements now in
progress at the Royal Artillery Barracks the militia regi-
ment of Antrim Rifles have removed from their quarters,
and are now encamped on the Common. A large propor-
tion of the Royal Artillery are also quartered under camps.
The Bloodhound, Hecate, and Firefly steam-yessels, re-
cently returned from the west coast of Africa, have been
completely stripped, and are ordered to undergo necessary
repair_•.
The Challenge, screw-corvette, is new under the bands
of workmen in No. 3, to have her bottom coppered, and
she will soon be ready for commission.
The Minie, icon gun screw steam-vessel, is ordered to
undergo extensive repairs, and is again to be brought for-
ward for service.

PLYMOUTH, AUG. 14.
Her Majesty's steam•frigate Diadem, 32, arrived here this
afternoon, having on board the Lords of the Admiralty, on
their annual tour of inspection. She entered the Sound at
four o'clock, and was saluted by the citadel forts. On ar-
riving in the Hamoaze salutes were fired by the flag-ship
Impregnable, Scc. Their lordships will commence their in-
spection of the dockyard and other Government naval
establishments at this port on Monday.
The Terrible steam-ship went into the Sound from Ha-
moaze this evening. She will, assisted by the Valorous,
tow the Queen, 110, to an eastern yard, in order to be fitted
with a screw-propeller.
It is stated that the Royal William, 104, at this port, is
also to be converted into a screw steam-ship.