The Sun.
London, England, 1845-03-22 00:00:00

DINNER TO SIR ROBERT SALE.

The exceedingly brief notice given of the intended en-
tertainment to Sir Robert Sale, rendered it highly im-
probable that a very large meeting should be got toge-
ther. We were agreeably surprised to find that in less
than two clear days ninetythree applications were made

for tickets, out of which number from eighty-five to
ninety attended. Sir Robert has been the honoured
guest on so many occasions,—been the observed of all
observers in so many brilliant scenes, that our party
may—perhaps we should say must—have shown to some
disadvantage, albeit, we doubt whether he was ever
more cordially received. We could have wished that
better use had been made of the time that was before
us, and that the compliment paid had not been deferred
until it was risked altogether, and one-half of it was
necessarily forgone.
When the company had taken their seats, the Ve-
nerable the Archdeacon said grace over a dinner ex-
cellent in every respect. After the cloth had been re-
moved, Sir Lawrence Peel (who presided) gave the
" Queen," and in following it up with the " Governor-
General," paid an eloquent compliment to his soldierly
character. We cannot give more than the briefest
outline of what fell from Sir Lawrence when he pro-
posed the toast of the evening—" Sir Robert Sale and
the Illustrious Garrison." He said that Sir Robert had
been honoured throughout the length and breadth of
the country, receiving distinctions from the Crown, the
thanks of both Houses of Parliament, and an enthu
siastic reception from the people. The Duke of wr, 1-
lington, the first military authority in the world, had
named Sir Robert in moving thanks in the House of
Lords—in itself an honour not to be lightly prized.
He (tho Chairman) was not equal to the cccasion, but
he spoke his admiration for the long and gallant ser-
vices of General Sale with as much sincerity as any one
who had ever acknowledged them in or out of the Se-
nate. He would not attempt to go into military details
—it world be absurd in a civilian to do so—but though
civilians were unequal to that task, they could well ap-
preciate results, and it was a duty of a delightful kind to
confess the services of gallant men to our common
country. Sir Robert Sale had entered Affghanistau at a
moment of great emergency, when disgrace had for the
first time, for centuries he might almost say, lighted on
the British arms. It was an emergency that needed not
heroism alone, but the highest moral courage ; not only
a hand ready to execute, but a calm and foreseeing judg-
ment—and from first to last all that was-required to add
spirit even to the most daring, and give re-assurance
wherever there might have been a doubt, was found in
their gallant guest.
Sir Lawrence then spoke in the loftiest terms of Lady
Sale. If ever there was a woman fitted to be the wife of
a brave soldier, it was Lady Sale.
The Chairman now passed a high eulogium on the
force under Sir Robert Sale, happily called, by a late
Governor-General, the Illustrious Garrison. This was
set down as a separate toast, but he felt he could not pay
Sir Robert a higher honour than to couple his name with
it, a 3 it was in connexion with it his name would com-
mand the admiration of posterity. lle sat down giving
" Major- General Sir Robert Sale and the Illustrious
Garrison." _ _ _

We need hardly say that the Chairman's toast and
speech throughout were received with the liveliest en-
thusiasm, and cheering was prolonged some time after
Sir Robert rose to return thanks, which he did with ex-
treme brevity. He said he was quite at a loss to ac-
knowledge adequately the gratifying reception he had
met with. It had been his fate to serve nearly all his
life in India—and he had consequently had must to do
with native troops. His last campaign had confirmed
his opinion, that, properly handled, they were second to
no soldiers in the world.

Sir Robert sat down giving " The Chairman."
Sir Lawrence said, that when it was proposed he
should take the chair, he had felt himself unequal to the
task from his inexperience, his ignorance of military
affairs, and from doubting whether he should have
strength for the undertaking ; but the kindness of the
Company had placed him at his ease. He then gave the
health of Lady Sale, and said that it was perhaps too
much the fashion to deem the heroic virtues as belonging
to a past age. In that lady's career, and the same might
be said of those other ladies who shared her captivity,
there were passages of courage and fortitude not to be
surpassed—evidence of every manly virtue added to all
that dignifies and endears the other sex.
After this, came (by the chairman) " Sir George Pol-
lock, and Sir William Nott," given at some length, and
happily touching on those more prominent passages of
their career which had particularly elicited the applause
of the world. These toasts, too, were received with a
degree of hearty good will never exceeded in the Town-
hall.
Mr. Pattle, the Vice-President, gave " The Navy," and
" Sir Hugh Gough and the Army of India," very hap-
pily ; after which Sir Robert Sale, the Chairman, the
Venerable the Archdeacon, and others, left. Colonel
Burlton returned thanks for the Army, and proposed
the Civil Service, which was acknowledged by Mr.
Pattle. Various other toasts, and singing of a quality
not often heard—evincing a right hearty feeling of good
fellowship—disposed of the rest. of the night.—Calcutta
Star, Feb. 3.

DELHI.
(From the Delhi Gazette, Jan. 29.)
MILITARY INTELLIGENCE.—We have a number of
Interesting facts to record this day, which seem to throw
a shadow of coming events before them.
The 54th Regiment Bengal Infantry is under orders
to march from Delhi to Ferozepore, and will be relieved
by a wing of the 51st Regiment from Meerut. The 54th
will start out the Bth proximo.
The 3d troop 3d brigade Horse Artillery, at Meerut,
commanded by Major G. Campbell, received orders on
Thursday last to proceed to Forozepore on the 10th
proximo.
The sth company 4th Battalion Foot Artillery, under
Lieut. Remington, has received similar orders, as well
as No. 19 (the newly formed Light Field Battery.), under
command of Captain Trower, both to start on the same
day as the troop.
Captain Brind's troop, though first ordered from
Cawnee to Meerut, will, it is said, proceed on to Feroze-
pore ; and Major Grant's to remain at Meerut till
further orders. It is presumed that the head-quarters
of the 3d brigade will also move up from Cawnpore.
Her Majesty's 29th Foot has been ordered to be in
readiness for a move. The river detachment only
reached yesterday from Ghurmuckteser Ghat.
A troop of the Governor-General's body guard was
expected at Allahabad on the 26th or 27th, under com-
mand of Lieut. Bouverie.

.-....
The destination of the 35th Light Infantry has been
changed from Allahabad to Jubbulpore ; and we have
heard that the 49th from Dakka will replace the 37th at
the first-named station.

Her Majesty's 62d Foot reached Cawnpore on the 24th
instant, being preceded by the 10th Foot, both regiments
bound for the north west. Barracks have been ordered
for the first corps of Ferozepore. A correspondent at
that place remarks on the folly of giving secret orders for
the completion of these barracks.

The 3d Light Cavalry are to march from Ferozepore
to progress to Loodianah, and eventually Cawnpore, this
year. They expect to reach Loodianah on the sth of
February, Umballah on the 11th, and Kurnaul on the
17th of the ideal.

The two Horse Artillery troops at Cawnpore have
been ordered, one to the frontier, and the other to
Meerut. Details of other movements connected with
the Artillery will be found under the head of Cawnpore.
Our correspondents at that station have our thanks for
their numerous favours, and we hope they will continue
to remember us upon all occasions, and not trust to one
writing, and the other writing, as is too frequently the
case.

THE MURDERER OF CAPTAIN ALCOCK.—We learn
with great regret that the murderer Chansah has actu-
ally succeeded, notwithstanding the strenuous efforts of
the local police, aided by a detachment of the 4th Irre-
gular Horse, in evading his pursuers, and making his
way across the Jumna and Chumbul, where the spies
do not consider it safe to follow him. It is, however,
satisfactory to know that the magistrates of Furrucka-
bad, Meinpooree, and Budaon, have succeeded in seizing
Khansah's " nae," who has confessed fully, also two
Brahmins and one rajpoot, who were concerned in the
murder of Captain Alcock, according to their own con-
fession. One of the Brahmins was captured by the ma-
gistrate of Budaon crossing the Ganges with Chansah's
carbine, in which were found nine bullets.—Delhi Ga-
zette, Jan. 22.

No rain has fallen, and no chance of any.
The station has been sompvhat excited by the order
for the departure of the 54th.
One hundred men have been entered at the Magazine
For the purpose of making balled percussion ammunition.