The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1898-07-31

Among several books which have been re-
Gently published on the great revolt Of the Be-
poys against British rule In India, one is sui
oenerfS. We refer to DAILY Lite During the In
dian MutinY. by ]. W. SHEnER Swan. Sonnon-
schein Il Co.. This record OF an Anglo-Indian
magistrates personal experiences in 1857 does
not describe military movements and battles.
but depicts the ordinary existence OF the fami-
lies of British civilians and officers. The au-
thor's intention being simply to present q do
mestlc view Of an anxious and exciting crisis.
extended discussions as to the origin OF the
outbreak or the political warnings which It may
be held to have supplied would be out Of plaoe.
incidentally, however, the narrative throws
sideliRhts on a momentous episode In Eng
lands national history.
The author lie q representative OF the Anglo
Indian civilservice. He landed In Calcutta, we are
told. in Docomber. 1S46, and. after graduating
from the college there. proceeded up country
in the spring Of 1913 to Agra, whore he was
appointed assistant magistrate. In 1850 he
became Joint magistrate OF Alygurh. In 1856
he was directed to report on the condition OF
lands bordering the Jumna Canal his tour led
him to Paneeput and Kurnal and Rohtuk and
Nuiulgurh and other places afterward otton
mentioned In accounts Of the siege OF Delhi.
In Delhi itself he stayed a day or two on his
way back. At this time he nssures us that he
personally had not the slightest idea that there
were any symptoms OF approaching disturb
ance In the country or Of uneasy feeling In tho
army. When the tour was over. Mr.. sharsr
went to write his report at Agra In the
house OF his father-In-law, Harrington,
who was a Judge Of the old Sudder Court
and lived In the Kandaharee Bagh, an
ancient tomb adapted to household purposes
and standing IN a large garden. 1t was here,
while walking with his father-in-laW and a
Colonel of native infantry. that the possibility
OF a mutiny first struck him.. The subject Of
the cartridges Just then being introduced was
being discussed. and the Colonel said that IL
the materials for g~reasinG them were such as it
was alleged they were. and biting them was In
sisted upon. the sepoys would certainly not obey
orders. Though John Sepoy." he added,
seems such q quiet fellow In the line, yet on
such matters as his caste. his religion, or his
women. II he gets on his head. there Is no yio-
lence or cruelty he would not commit" Thus
was the seed sown In the authors mind Of much
subsequent anxiety.
Having been appointed to act as magistrate
and collector at ~Futtehpore. q district situated
between Cawnpore and Allahabad, Mr.. Sherer
was advised to lean on the Mohammedan
deputy collector at that place as a man thor
oughly acquainted with that part Of the
country. intelligent and entirely Trustworthy.
The impression that this man. however. made
on our author was that Of % person astute
rather than frank. During the ominousIy
tranquil time which followed. tranquil only In
the immediate neiGhborhood OF F~uttehpore.
for the British administration was breaking
down in all directions. the deputy collector
hardly ever came near his oflcial superior.
When he did. and the conversation turned on the
state Of the army. he affected to ignore any ssri-
Gus danger from sepoys without discipline and
Hlienated from their lawful leaders. On June
O.. 1857. the storm burst. and the British resi-
dents In Futtehpore were obliged to withdraw
across the Jumna. They we're not attacked on
the journey, and eventually arrived In safety at
Banda. TIT revolt OF the sepoys, however.
soon reached this place. and the British fuRi-
tiyes made their way as well as they could to
Nagobe. the only station In BandAlkhand In
which the native troops did not mutiny. The
regiment there ouGrteEed. the Tiftieth Native
Infantry. stood nrm 70 the last. only fourteen
mel having shown symptoms Of disaiectlon.
In conAOOtioa with this journey TO EAgSbs. the