Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
India.
opportunity of acknowledging that same to the Craft . 1 was once a prisoner , without hope of being even exchanged , and expected to be sent to Verdun , to which place in France all prisoners were consigned ; for , at this time , the two governments of France and England were so exasperated against each other , that their anger fell on individuals , and there was no exchange of prisoners ; a man who was taken lost all chance of promotionor of ever seeing his friends again . In this state of despair
, and misery , knowing that my family must have believed me to have been killed , 1 was casting about in my own thoughts for some way in which I could communicate with my family : it came into my head that I was a Mason , and contrived to poke out a brother . He was a French officer of the name of Bontemps , I think , and a very good name it was , for , like a good and honourable brother , he managed to send a letter for me to England—by no means an easy matter in those days , for there
were no railroads , or steam-vessels , or steam-engines then , to carry letters like lightning everywhere . Besides , it was , at this time an extremely dangerous antl hazardous undertaking for a French officer . But my honest and good brother did it for me , and within three months my family knew I was alive . I have acknowledged to being but a bad Mason , but I will not add to this by being a bad companion and inflicting a long speech on . I shallthereforeonlagain thank
you , , y you , and wish all your healths . " The next toast was proposed by the CHAIRMAN , who said— " Gentlemen , you have rendered to my last toast the honour so eminently due to its subject , and I am well assured you will as heartily respond to the one I am now requested to propose . It is the health of a good and
gallant nobleman , who , after a long residence among us , is on the eve of quitting India for his native land , and whom we hoped to see here this evening , but by unforseen circumstances he was prevented from accepting our invitation . I need scarcely add , I mean Lord Gough . ( Loud cheers . ) It would be presumptuous to detail his lordship ' s various services . They have been acknowledged by his country ; they have been rewarded by his Sovereign . ( Cheers . ) I may , however , briefly observe , that from the hour whenat Barossashouting the battle-cry
, , of their native land , he cheered on his gallant 87 th against outnumbering legions of the French , and nobly repelled the foe , to the day when , at Goojerat—the scene of his latest victory—he completely humbled the haughty Khalsa ' s pride , and finally subjugated the once formidable Sikh nation , the same chivalrous bearing has characterised his brilliant career , the same signal success has attended his arms . ( Cheers . ) Opposed at various periods to the armies of three distant nations , each differing
in caste , in colour , and in creed , he compelled each , in turn , to bow before the British flag . ( Loud cheers . ) Engaged in no mean struggle with an ordinary , untrained , or untried enemy , but committed to a deadly contest with a fierce , a disciplined , and a determined foe , the most formidable yet opposed to British arms in India , it cannot be conceived that the great victories achieved , and the important objects attainedbLord Goughcould be accomplished without cost ; but well
, y , and nobly has he ever upheld England ' s honour—overthrowing every obstacle , overcoming every difficulty , and bringing to a triumphant termination every campaign he conducted , commanding in chief . ( Loud cheers . ) Amongst the many great and good qualities for which the Viscount is remarkable , none are more eminently conspicuous in his lordship ' s character , than that singleness of heart , that stern honesty of
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
India.
opportunity of acknowledging that same to the Craft . 1 was once a prisoner , without hope of being even exchanged , and expected to be sent to Verdun , to which place in France all prisoners were consigned ; for , at this time , the two governments of France and England were so exasperated against each other , that their anger fell on individuals , and there was no exchange of prisoners ; a man who was taken lost all chance of promotionor of ever seeing his friends again . In this state of despair
, and misery , knowing that my family must have believed me to have been killed , 1 was casting about in my own thoughts for some way in which I could communicate with my family : it came into my head that I was a Mason , and contrived to poke out a brother . He was a French officer of the name of Bontemps , I think , and a very good name it was , for , like a good and honourable brother , he managed to send a letter for me to England—by no means an easy matter in those days , for there
were no railroads , or steam-vessels , or steam-engines then , to carry letters like lightning everywhere . Besides , it was , at this time an extremely dangerous antl hazardous undertaking for a French officer . But my honest and good brother did it for me , and within three months my family knew I was alive . I have acknowledged to being but a bad Mason , but I will not add to this by being a bad companion and inflicting a long speech on . I shallthereforeonlagain thank
you , , y you , and wish all your healths . " The next toast was proposed by the CHAIRMAN , who said— " Gentlemen , you have rendered to my last toast the honour so eminently due to its subject , and I am well assured you will as heartily respond to the one I am now requested to propose . It is the health of a good and
gallant nobleman , who , after a long residence among us , is on the eve of quitting India for his native land , and whom we hoped to see here this evening , but by unforseen circumstances he was prevented from accepting our invitation . I need scarcely add , I mean Lord Gough . ( Loud cheers . ) It would be presumptuous to detail his lordship ' s various services . They have been acknowledged by his country ; they have been rewarded by his Sovereign . ( Cheers . ) I may , however , briefly observe , that from the hour whenat Barossashouting the battle-cry
, , of their native land , he cheered on his gallant 87 th against outnumbering legions of the French , and nobly repelled the foe , to the day when , at Goojerat—the scene of his latest victory—he completely humbled the haughty Khalsa ' s pride , and finally subjugated the once formidable Sikh nation , the same chivalrous bearing has characterised his brilliant career , the same signal success has attended his arms . ( Cheers . ) Opposed at various periods to the armies of three distant nations , each differing
in caste , in colour , and in creed , he compelled each , in turn , to bow before the British flag . ( Loud cheers . ) Engaged in no mean struggle with an ordinary , untrained , or untried enemy , but committed to a deadly contest with a fierce , a disciplined , and a determined foe , the most formidable yet opposed to British arms in India , it cannot be conceived that the great victories achieved , and the important objects attainedbLord Goughcould be accomplished without cost ; but well
, y , and nobly has he ever upheld England ' s honour—overthrowing every obstacle , overcoming every difficulty , and bringing to a triumphant termination every campaign he conducted , commanding in chief . ( Loud cheers . ) Amongst the many great and good qualities for which the Viscount is remarkable , none are more eminently conspicuous in his lordship ' s character , than that singleness of heart , that stern honesty of