The Sun.
London, England, 1844-01-30 00:00:00

THE ARMY IN INDIA.

It would seem, by the late advices from India, that
prior to the formation of the Army of Exercise, and in
the very face of a threatening and unsettled aspect of
affairs, it was in contemplation to effect a numerical
reduction of the native troops. This is a measure of
short-sighted economy, which could emanate from no
quarter save the India-house; a reckless experiment,
prompted by the love of filthy lucre, which must even-
tually recoil upon the heads of the originators, and in-
flict future loss and disappointment.
No sooner, it would appear, is a war brought to a suc-
cessful termination in India, than the cry resounds in
Leadenhall-street, " Cut down the military establish-
ments—reduce the army 1" Proprietors are anxious
about their dividends, but if they can devise no better
means than this for securing themselves, their case is a
hopeless one, indeed.
Fortunate)}, India has now a Governor-General who
is too shrew an observer, and too well acquainted with
the wants of our Indian empire, to endanger its safety
by rashness or overweening confidence, whilst he is at
the same time too independent to sacrifice his better
judgment to the insane clamours of the selfish and
ignorant.
Not only is it clear to us that the present is not a con-
venient or fitting time for reducing the Indian Army,
but we are sceptical as to the practicability or probabi-
lity of any future diminution of our Force. Looking to
our accession of territory in Sinde, viewing the elements
of discord which are rife throughout the native States,
the open turbulence of some of our neighbours, and the
hollow friendship of others, we find sufficient grounds
for maintaining our military resources on the most effi-
cient footing. Without contemplating any aggressive
acts, it would appear to us, that for mere defensive and
than
far
precautionary purposes, an augmentation of force is ra-
ther
Wereto bteh e
militaryanticipatedforce
than
in
nn
India
more
reduction.
adegu ate
to the present demand, it would be our duty loudly to
wurghoesetitnoeurreolirefseorfvice
severalthere ofh ahsebreenprolongedMajesty's
regiments,
be-
yond the term conducive to their welfare or sanctioned
by good policy. It would be tedious to reiterate what
his been so often represented as to the cruelty and
unfairness of cutting off from the soldier the most re-
mote hope of revisiting his native country, which is
practically the case when the service of a regiment in
the East Indies is extended beyond fifteen years.
A regiment, too, suffers in its nationality, it frequently
degenerates in its material, and it falls altogether to the
rear in the onward march of society by an expatriation
of a quarter of a century.
If troops can be spared, why are the 16th Lancers,
the Buffs, 13th, 31st, 40th, and 55th, still left in India
after twenty years' foreign service?
There are at present twenty-six regiments of infantry
serving on the East Indian establishment, being very little
above the strength required some seven years back. Since
then Shade has been conquered and occupied ; three
regiments are demanded for our Chinese settlements ;
another is in garrison at Aden, a recent acquisition ;
and we observe that a new station is in contemplation
for the 86th Regiment on the Madras establishment,
which is to be withdrawn from Belgaum to occupy
Karrach, in the Persian Gulph. Thus, with policy
and humanity urging an early relief of several corps, it
is clear that none can be withdrawn from the East until
we can supply their place by others.—Navul and Mili-
tary Gazette.

Lord Wharncliffe, we observe, is, according to
some of our Contemporaries, about to be advanced to
an Earldom. What does this portend ? In ordinary
times we should think nothing of it ; but, under pre-
sent circumstances and at the present crisis, it does,
when considered in connexion with certain appoint-
ments and resignations which have recently taken
place, most assuredly look as if Ministers were preparing for
the worst, and " setting their house in order,' in case any
sudden emergency should drive them from power. Bets, we
understand, have been made in London that they will never
see May in their official characters.—Liverpool
DOG STEALERS.—We are glad to learn, that early
in the ensuing session of Parliament, a Bill will be in-
troduced by Mr. Liddell, making the offence :of dog-
stealing a penal one. This nefarious traffic, so long
carried on with impunity, calls loudly for legislative in-
terrence. Horse-stealing and sheep-stealing are de-
nounced as felonies ; and why should not the same
penalty be awarded to the dog-stealer ? These thefts are
committed for the purpose of extorting money, for it
most frequently happens that individuals so robbed
would recover their dogs by payment of large sums
rather than allow their favourites to be subjected to
cruelty. We understand, strange as it may appear, that
no less a sum than 7131. has been paid in this manner
during a short period. Mr. Bishop, tho gun-maker of
Bond-street, is entitled to the thanks of the community
at large for his humane exertions in affording protection
to the owners of valuable dogs. A petition has for
some time been open for signature at his establishment,
which has received numerous signatures. The object of
this petition, which will be embodied in the Bill to be
brought before the House, is to insure a proper meed of
punishment to all dishonest dealers in canine flesh ;
that the crime of dog-stealing shall be constituted a
felony ; and, moreover, that the receiver of any dog,
known to be illegally obtained, shall be considered as an
accomplice, and be visited with a similar sentence of
transportation.—John Bull.
ADVANTAGES OF LOW FARES ON RAILWATS.—The
Report of the North Shields Railway presents some curious
particulars in respect of third-class passengers. The Direc-
tors, with a view of restoring the former position of the
railway, which had been greatly depressed, resolved on re-
establishing third-class carriages at lower fares, and with
more frequent trains. The result has been that in the half
years ending the 31st of December last, the number of pas-
sengers was 487,304, as compared with 381,522 passengers
in the corresponding six months in the previous year,
being an increase of 105,542, the increase in money being
347/. 3s. 6d. A very gratifying fact is also mentioned in
the Report—namely, that " the passengers carried since
the opening of the railway, amount, on the 31st of Decem-
ber, to the very great number of 3,369,491, and no occident
to the life or limb of any passenger has ever occurred."—
Railway Times.
THE BEAUTIES or BURNS.--In introducing his
very successful Musical Entertainment on Thursday even-
ing, Mr. Templeton said, " In selecting 'The Beauties o
Burns' as the title for this entertainment, I must in
justice to myself remark, that it has not been made choice of
with a view of arrogating to myself the privilege of pointing
out to my auditors The Beauties' of the Bard, but it was
fixed upon from the firm conviction that the title was ap-
plicable to the whole of the poet's works ; and that what-
ever might be my selection of songs I could not fail in pre-
senting The Beauties of Burns.'
IMPORTATION OF FOREIGN CATTLE.—The specu-
lators in Spanish oxen have again commenced importing
from Vigo. During the last three weeks upwards of eighty
have been brought over by the Peninsular steam-packets to
Southampton, and are of a very fine quality, as the Spanish
farmers in Biscay and the northern provinces are now de-
voting their attention to the improvement of the breed for
the English markets. There were a few yesterday morning
at Smithfield market, and they met with a ready sale. It is
expected that during the ensuing year some very large im-
portations will be made from Rotterdam and Hamburg!' by
th© Hull-steam-packets, as the quality of the cattle has
greatly improved since the exporters find that there is a
C 13410 of the English dealers entering into bargains.