with a force

"when I firft took the field "confifting of five thousand men, and thirty"fix pieces of cannon. I loft in killed, wound❝ed, and disabled, nearly one third of my "force; but the enemy loft five thousand per"fons of all descriptions. I realised near two "hundred thousand rupees, exclufive of the

66

pay of my army, and was to receive an ad❝ditional one hundred thousand for the hof

tages which were delivered up. I explored "the country, formed alliances, and, in short, was dictator in all the countries belonging to "the Seiks, fouth of the river Sutledge.*

Before we take leave of this interesting country, it may not be improper to advert to two of the desiderata of Major Rennel, which, from a perusal of his excellent Memoir accompanying the map of Hindoostan, appear to be as follow:

First, to ascertain the existence of a canal, which was to have been cut by the order of the emperor Firose, from the river Sutledge to the Jumna, the execution of which design would have opened a communication by water from Cabul to Assam.

Second, the altars of Alexander, which, according to Arrian, must have been situated between the Beyah and the Sutledge, near the modern city of Ferozepore.^

It is much to be regretted that the spirit of modern tra vel has not yet reached these distant, though, to the Bri tish nation, not wholly inaccessible regions, as no doubt many very curious particulars in ancient history, which have hitherto remained in obscurity, might, by diligen and accurate investigation, be brought to light.

CHAPTER XIV.

Reflections-Combination formed against Mr. Thomas-commencement of hoftilities-battle with Captain Smith-death of Mr. Hopkins -Mr. Thomas's opponents become more and more formidable-treacherous defigns of his of ficers-multiplied difficulties-Mr. Thomas is compelled to fly-reaches Hansi-he capitulates -arrives at the British frontier-his death and character.

LIKE a fea-worn mariner, who, after en

Ꮧ

countering the dangers and hardships of a long and tedious voyage, is at length gratified with the fight of land; or as a benighted traveller on his road after a weary journey, lofing himself in defert wilds, or betrayed by falfe tracts in the treacherous fnow, looks forward to the enjoyments of his peaceful home; fo are we happy to perceive a profpect of terminating our labours, in view of a defired haven.

To this haven, after a little more toffing on the tempestuous ocean of life, and a few more viciffitudes of fortune, we are anxious to conduct our friend and hero; and, after sharing with him the perils and dangers of the voyage, finally to place him in that Afylum, where every trouble is forgotten, and where every forrow ceases to exist.

However flattering might appear the termination of the campaign, Mr. Thomas's good fortune may, at this period, be faid to have attained its meridian fplendour; fince a dark cloud, which had long been gathering over his head, was now preparing to discharge its malignant contents: its baneful influence threatened even the utter extirpation of those hopes of fortune and independance by which he had fo long been buoyed up, and which had therefore taken deep root in his afpiring mind.

But as the combination which was about to be formed against him was in the end productive of his downfall, and the death blow to his hopes, it will be neceffary in this place to take a retrospective furvey of the strength and

{

refources of that part of the Mahratta empire, with which he was entering on an interesting and eventful warfare.

This will equally enable us to comprehend the fituation of his numerous and powerful enemies, as to appreciate the exertion of those faculties and talents which were now called forth, and which place his last struggles for the fupport of his authority in a point of view highly creditable to his general character. On the death of Madhajee Scindiah in 1794, he was succeeded in his poffeffions and authority by his nephew Dowlut Row Scindiah. This youth, though of promifing parts, was by no means equal in capacity to his renowned uncle.

That politic prince, aware of the advantages to be derived from the practice of the European fyftem of tactics, and the introduction of military difcipline into his armies, had, by the affistance of General Duboign, raised several brigades of infantry, which he left entire to his nephew. Shortly after his elevation, Dowlut Row conftituted Mr. Perron his commander