to that effect. Although, however, the arrangement was resolved on it was not so easy to fix upon the particular object, as amidst the numerous branches of the Sindhia family, from which, alone, the heir could be with propriety selected, none were of any immediate proximity to the deceased Raja. The common ancestor of this house, Changojee Sindhia, the grandfather of the individual, who irst obtained political distinction, Kanojeć Sindhia, had three sons, from the elder of whom, Dowlut Rao was the seventh in descent, The next of kin was the sixth in descent from the second of Changojee's sons; but this person, named Peerajee, a farmer in the Dekhin, being of mature years, was unfit for adoption, and the persons who were eligible for that purpose were the sons of individuals still further removed. Of these, the five nearest in succession were invited to Gwalior, where they arrived on the 29th of May, and after some discussion of their pretensions, the choice of the Bai was directed to Mookt Rao, the son of Patloba, a person the eighth in descent from Changojee through the third of his sons, and residing in Camp upon the humble allowance of eight or ten rupees a month. Mookt Rao is about eleven years of age, small, but well made, dark complexioned, lively and intelligent. He can read and write a little, and ride on horseback, a more meritorious acquirement in Maharatta estimation. His horoscope is also said to be highly favourable, and the marks on his person indicate his being destined to command. With all these circumstances in his favour, the popular voice fully confirmed the election of the Bai, and the 18th of June was the day fixed upon as most propitious for the performance of the ceremony of bis installation. On the Saturday previous, the Chiefs and the Ministers were assembled at the Durbar, when the intentions of the Baiza Bai to adopt, and place Mookt Rao on the Musnud, were publicly announced, and the opinions of the assembly were asked. Not a dissentient voice was heard, and all expressed the warm concurrence in the measure. The Pundits were then consulted as to the legality of the lad's marriage with the youngest grand daughter of the late Maharaja, and pronounc ed sentence in its favour. On Sunday, the adoption and marriage ceremonies took place ; the father of the lad making over all right to his son to the Bai, and confirming the donation by pouring water from his hand upon hers. On Monday, at day-break, the young Raja elect and his Bride, proceeded in state through the camp, mounted on the same elephant, and after having paid their devotions together at a particular temple, they returned to the palace, where the ceremonial was completed by the Bai embracing the boy and her grand daughter, and placing one on each knee. In the mean time, all the ministers and principal Sirdars were assembled in Durbar, and when the auspicious moment announced by the astrologers arrived, Hindu Rao conducted the boy from the inner apartments, and leading him to the British Resident, who, with all his suite, was present, requested him to place the young Raja on the Musnud, which he accordingly did, and a general discharge of artillery and musketry proclaimed the occurrence to the camp. Trays Immediately after Mookt Rao was seated, the Resident presented a splendid Khelat to him, and one for the Bride, on the part of the Governor General. were presented also, on behalf of the Bala Bai. as well as by the Senapati and by Raghunath Rao, on the part of the Raja of Dhar, The different individuals present, then offered their respective Nezzers, which continued till about 12 o'clock, when the young Raja being completely overcome with fatigue, was allowed to retire to repose. The heat of the day, and the crowded state of the Durbar, rendered the ceremony particularly oppressive to much older individuals. Mookt Rao takes the title of Jankojee Sindia, after the gallant Chief of that name, who was killed at the celebrated battle of Panniput. The Baiza Bai will continue to act as Regent, until the young Raja attains years of discretion. Govt. Gaz. July 9. ་་ Bengal Club.-We observe it intimated, that the Proceedings of this association commence on Friday next the 13th, with a Dinner, at which, we understand, the Right Honourable Viscount Combermere, as Patron of the Club, will preside. The following is an accurate list of the Original Members: The Right Hon'ble Viscount Combermere. Lieut.-Col. Dawkins, Lieut. Col. Dongan, A. D. C. Capt. Munday, A. D. C. Mr. P. Y. Lindsay, c. s. Captain White, 59th Regiment N. I. İ. Captain Cox, 58th Regiment N. Capt. Baker, Horse Artillery. Mr. Trower, c. $. 1 Col. Cunliffe, Commissiary Ge neral. Col. Watson, Adjutant General. Colonel Stevenson, QuarterMaster-General, Capt. Oliphant, Asst. Secretary Military Board. Major J. N. Jackson. Mr. H. T. Prinsep, c. s. Hon'ble Col. Finch, Military Secy. C. in C. Major Fiddes, Assistant Com. missary General. Col. Bryant, Judge Advocate General. Mr. Wynch, c. s. Mr. Turton, Advocate General, Mr. R. M. Hamilton, c. s. Lieut. Mackenzie, Adjutant 8th Cavalry. 1 Brigadier O'Halloran, Captain J. Cheape, Engineers. Captain W. Burlton, Asst. Commissary General... Capt. Mackinley, D. A. A. G. Lieut.-Col. W. C. Baddeley, (Home.) 1 Captain F. Jenkins, Asst. Secy. Military Board. Lieut. J. N. Forbes, Engineers. Mr. C. Rennie, Surgeon, 8th, N. I. Mr. T. Richardson, c. s. Lieut.-Col. Gilbert, Ram. Bn. Captain Johnson, H. C. S. S. Enterprise. B Capt. H. Playfair, Artillery. Lieut. M. G. White, 66th Regiment. Mr. C. R. Barwell, c. s.. C. 3. Lieutenant Light Cavalry. Conventry, 6th Col. C. Brown, H. Artillery. Col. E. Cartwright, 15th R. N.I. Capt. C. H. Campbell, Artillery. Captain J. C. Wotherspoon, 2d Extra N. I. Sir C. Grey, Chief Justice. Mr. J. P. Warde, c. s. Mr. J. Lawrell, c. s. Mr. Roger Winter.-Govt. Gaz. July 9. MEETING AT THE TOWN HALL. MARQUIS OF HASTINGS. The Honorable the Chief Justice, having taken the chair, addressed the Meeting, as follows: GENTLEMEN, Although I feel deeply the ho nor of being associated in any way, with the memory of the Mar quis of Hastings, so illustrious, so magnanimous, so generous, so beloved, yet I desire to say, that my own judgment would have fixed on some other person to take this chair. When your choice has fallen upon me, no reluctance on my part shall mar your arrangement, or interrupt the eager offerings of respect on such an occasion. The same motives however, which cause this explanation, will prevent me from expressing the whole of what I feel. When I am in the midst of those who participated in the Counsels of Lord Hastings, who assisted him in the field, who formed his circle of private Society, it would be, as if a stranger were to obtrude himself into the place of the mourners in his funeral procession, were I to pre-occupy the office of fixing in the view of this Meeting, all those lineaments of his character, which it is desirable to preserve in a lively and lasting remembrance. In abstaining from this, I do violence to my inclinations. I cannot look on such a picture without feeling a natural impulse to express my admiration. The martial spirit and skill of his earlier years-the splendid hospitality and munificence with which he comforted the noble and afflicted exiles of a rival nation-the generous bumanity which carried his thoughts from the glittering sphere in which he moved, into the cell of the imprisoned debtor-the glorious actions which he directed from his seat of Government in India, these are objects which, invested with the general grandeur, and softened by the prevailing urbanity of his character, and mingled with the lights of domestic virtue, no mind can regard without emotion, when the man of whom they constitute the faint semblance, has gone down into his grave. In one exploit he was pre-eminently happy. The Pindaree war is singular in Indian history, singular, I - had almost said, in the history of the world, for its beneficial results, the completeness of its success, the legitimacy of its objects: not hav. ing been waged for conquest, nor even for glory, but that villages might be at peace; that peasants might sleep in security; that women might be safe from violence and insult; that children might not perish on the threshold of life; and that old men, with grey hairs, might look forward to a bloodless death. The greatness of this achievement alone, if there had been occasion for it, would have sufficed to obscure with glory a life of errors. But of those few errors, which some may be disposed to find in the Life of Lord Hastings, all vie with each other in declaring, that the origin was always an excess of generous motives; and that even his failings leaned to the side of virtue. If he was magnificent and lavish, there was no waste for sensual or selfish gratification. His was the profusion of generosity-the boundless overflowing of a heart, which could not return a barren denial to any voice that cried to it for succourIf a dissension took place between him and a political party with which he had been long connected, it was no view of private advantage, nor wicked vacillation of principle which separated them, but a devoted attachment and glowing loyalty to his Prince. In one instance in his Indian administration, he adopted measures relating to the Press, which those, who followed him, have seen reason to alter.-I have no intention, and I trust that no one here has any intention, to express an opinion on this point-We have opportunities enough for our political contentions; do not let us disturb by them the repose or the honors of the dead. But thus much I take upon me to say, that, those who are most confident of his having in this instance committed a mistake, eagerly attribute that mistake to the noblest motives, to a confidence in the invulnerable purity of his own intentions, to an opinion too favorable of his fellow men, to a belief arising from the contemplation of his own na ture, that what was freely given would never be wilfully abused. Whatever else of questionable policy may be discovered in the long and public life of this Noble man, I am persuaded, by a view of its general tenor, would be found to have had its origin in similar sources: and would only confirm the melancholy maxim, that the best persons have need in this world to watch their virtues, almost as scrupulously as they should their vices: and, (alas, for human nature) that a heart may be too kind, a mind may be too noble for the government of men. Gentlemen, I resign to those who have had the happiness of enjoying the friendship or the acquaintance of Lord Hastings, the grateful task of expanding and filling up this scanty outline-I trust that I have sufficiently declared my own sentiments to entitle me to the honor of proposing to you the following resolution: The Chairman concluded by moving the following Resolution, which was seconded by the Hon'ble Mr. Bayley, and carried unanimously That this Meeting, strongly impressed with feelings of vener ation for the memory of the Marquess of Hastings, Governor General and Commander-in-Chief of India, during an eventful period of nearly ten years; with gratitude for the blessings of his just and glorious Government, and admiration of his great and virtuous character, are anxious to transmit to posterity, a Memorial of their affectionate attachment and respect, by the erection of a Public Monument. Colonel Bryant then rose, and spoke to the following effect: seems, every When the Marquess of Hastings relinquished this Government, the people of India resolved to erect his statue in Calcutta-that statue is soon expected to arrive, but where to place it has been but lately the subject of consideration. I think no admirer of Lord Hastings would wish to see it in the Hall below, where the statue of Mar quess Cornwallis time we pass it, to reproach us for its obscure and ill adapted situation. To rescue Lord Hastings' statue from a similar condition, second subscription would be necessary; it has therefore been proposed that our present object should be some structure, whose beauty and durability might exhi bit a monument worthy of its illustrious object, and of the grati tude of India, affording at the same time protection to his statue. There can be no doubt, I apprehend, that the original subscribers would readily assent, and there are, I believe, now present, several of the committee on that occasion. A charitable institution has also been suggested; this certainly would be more consonant with the life of Lord Hastings, and the statue would there find its proper place; but I fear it would be ob jectionable from its expense, though I shall cordially concur in it, if thought practicable, conceiving that no expression of our sentiments can be too strong on this occasion, where the best feelings of our hearts, and the obligation of a public duty, are equally consulted; for though a long and illustrious career had rendered Lord Hastings one of the most eminent characters of Europe, his subsequent administration of his Empire formed the grand era of his life; and our embodied expression this day is due to a government, not more resplendent in its external triumphs, than happy in the protection of a grateful people. |