Sabin.—The mail of the 24th of April, from Calcutta, brings
us the final orders for amalgamation of the Imperial and Indian armies. They may be briefly analyzed thus : 1. European soldiers may volunteer for general service, with bounty and Indian pension, into the three European regiments which, under their old Presidency names, will be added to the Line. Those who do not volunteer will remain in existing local regiments until they die out.
2. The Artillery will become royal, without leaving India, but any officer may volunteer for general service. This distinction will be kept up till the officers die out. 3. The Engineers the same. 4. As to the bulk of the officers of the Line :
"50. All the officers of Cavalry and Infantry of the Indian forces will be placed on two general lists of Cavalry and Infantry, respec- tively, for each Presidency. Those below the rank of lieutenant- colonel, will, however, retain their places in the cadres of their old regiments for the purpose of regulating promotion, as hereafter ex- plained. These general lists will be distinct from that of the Staff corps, and from the existing gradation lists of each Presidency, and the gradation list of officers of all arms of the three Presidencies. From these two general lists of officers of Cavalry and Infantry will be invited to volunteer for her Majesty's oeneral service, to the number required for the new regiments of Cavalry and Infantry, respectively, according as such officers belong to either branch of the service. Those officers who may not be appointed to the new regiments of her Majesty's Line service, or to the Staff corps, will continue to be avail- able, as heretofore, for their present duty, or for any other duty to which they may be appointed by Government. The general lists will be immediately formed in the three Presidencies, and measures will be taken by the several Governments to ascertain the wishes of officers in regard to volunteering for her Majesty's general service."
This paragraph explains the principle adopted, but the details occupy whole pages, and cannot be made intelligible in any condensed form.
The famine still rages in the North-West, but the Relief Commit- tees report large sums in hand.
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