POSTSCRIPT. •
SATURDAY AFTERNOON.
The papers in anticipation of the Bombay mail of the 26th November arrived in London yesterday. "They contain much interesting intelli- gence. The summary in the Bombay Gazette gives an account of the state of matters in Ncpaul and Central India.
" The actual state of the rebel army in Nepaul can perhaps be better estimated by a calculation of what it must be than by our reports. The rumours are perfectly contradictory : it is now stated that the Nana intends to maintain his position—then that he intends to rhtreat. One report is that he is dead ; another, that there was a consultation in his camp, and that the several leaders agreed to unite their forces, and place them under his orders. Side by side with these reports are details or the dispersion of the Nana's followers in all directions, and the miserable plight to which they are reduced for want of food and clothing. One thing is certain—that our troops have taken the field against the rebels : the 54th Queen's have proceeded to the Goruckpore frontier, and one or two engagements have already taken place, in which, as usual, the rebels retired, betaking themselves to jungles and out-of-the-way places. It is now stated that Jung Bahadoor is going to assist us in expelling the rebels from his terri- tories. About eight or ten thousand Ghoorkha troops, with runty guns, have already marched down the hill, and Jung will join the army at Bootwal. If this be the case, the discomfiture of the rebels will be a quick and easy work. " According to a letter to the Englishman from the Nepaul frontier, it is believed that the rebel force iu that quarter consists of about 60N of all kinds, of which about 1000 are sowers; this number includes also camp fol- lowers, women, and children ; so, perhaps, besides the sowers, only 3000 sepoys remain. The greater number of these are encamped in the Dheng and Dukur valleys, over the first range of hills, but still small bodies aro dotted about at the edge of the Terai jungle all along the Nepaul frontier. They have still remaining with them about two elephants' load of Govern- ment ammunition. The sepoys have had no regular pay from their chiefs since they left Lucknow, but until Nana Rao's death they were always re- gularly fed. A few Christian drummers from the mutinous regiments are said to be with the rebels, but they have turned Mahometlans and live with the sepoys. Some reports state that there is a European sergeant with them, who also has turned Mussulman, but this has not been corroborated. From further inquiries which have been made, there is no reason at present to believe that there is any European man or woman now alive in the rebels' hands, as some papers have stated. " In Central India, it is feared that it will be necessary to curry on the war in the jungle. A body of rebels, under the notorious Bbagooitre Naik, lately found their way to a village about twelve miles from Naseick. About -100 of the Ahmednugger and Nassiek police, led by Mr. Souter, wept atter them and succeeded in capturing the leader, who was hanged on the spot where he killed Captain Henry a year ago, and in killing another chief and fifty-one men. Minor insurrections are going forward in other parts of India. The hill tribes in the Deccan are giving some trouble; and a party of Rohillas have been creating disturbances near Hingolee. Troops were sent after them, and they were surprised in a ravine a few miles from the cantonment of Hingolee. Fifteen of them were killed, including their leader, the Rohilla Jemadar Shereef Khan. The Rohillas have also advanced on some villages near Hyderabad, and we fear that their movements will not be checked without considerable bloodshed."
The health of the British Army is admirable, and the Government is paying attention to the hill sanitaria.
The Bombay Times says that an 5mportant change is about to take place in the constitution of the Executive Council of the Viceroy, which is to be modelled somewhat after the fashion of her Majesty's Cabinet.
" The members of Council will become Secretaries of State, and, as such, responsible for the conduct of all matters in their several departments. The present Secretaries will become Under Secretaries, we presume; and, should. this important change really transpire, we augur the happiest results there- from. The sinecures of the Council Board will no longer renedn a standing offence to grievance-mongers ; and, with distinct responsibilities devolving upon each member of the Government, we shall have the best guarantee of efficient departmental conduct. We are told that the new Indian Cabinet will stand as follows- " President and Secretary for Political Affairs—Lord Canning. " Home Secretary—Sir Bartle Frere. "Secretary at War—Sir James Outram. " Minister of Finance—Right Honourable James Wilson.
" The power of opinion will give India a good Government yet. We are also assured that the admission of nun-official numbers to the Legislative Council has been decided upon."
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