MR. THORNTON'S MODERN BRITISH INDIA.

THIS is a very able work, the result of much knowledge and much thought ; containing considerable matter, and displaying through- out an animated, and, so fitr as the gravity of the subjects admits, a not ungraceful style. The reflections of the author are judicious, and his opinions upon men and events unprejudiced and impartial.

The peculiar character of the production is indicated by its title

—Chaptow (f. the Modern History of British India. instead of attempting to narrate the public proceedings of the last thirty years, Mr. TuotorroN selects such of them as are capable of inde- pendent exhibition and are important from the magnitude of the events—as the Burmese War; or contain an illustration of some principle—as the Mutiny of Vellore ; or display the peculiar cha- racter of Indian governments and society—as the striking account of the Pindarries and their destruction ; or furnish the author with a text on which to write commentaries on the true policy of Britain towards Indio, contrasted with cur practice—as in the narrative of the grand Whig job of 1807, when a Governor-General was forced

on the Company by stretching the prerogative of the Crown.

This plan has great advantages. It enables the author to select those subjects with which he is most familiar, and to which he is most inclined ; whilst it permits a completeness of treatment, and anecdotic:al detail, incompatible with general history. Each sub- ject is, moreover, a complete whole—more manageable, and per- haps to many readers more attractive, than a larger and compre- hensive history would have been. It has also the advantage of va- riety and relief,—policy and war, narrative and disquisition, alter- nating with each new question treated. On the other hand, the completeness with which a subject can be grasped is apt to tempt the author into too minute an exposition; the interest it possesses thr himself and persons of kindred pursuits being considered, rather than its attraction for the general reader. The long account of the Nepaulese War is of this character, and seems written to bring out the weak points of the Marquis of Ilisrosos as mucii as any thing; for thought the war was badly conducted, disastrous in most of its actions, and only brought to a successful close by the ability of Sir DAVID OCIITERLONY, the end was not large in itself, whatever disastrous results Failure might have led to. The paper on the renewal of the Company's Charter in 1813 is of a similar nature, though the topic is so different ; but here a principle is at least discussed, if it be not contained in the sub- ject—the cowardly tendency of men cf all parties to yield that to clamour and agitation which they either believe to be wrong or are too lazy to investigate.

Another, though different test of the minuteness spoken of, may be ilmnd in the paucity of general conclusions which the reader can draw from so large a volume, abounding as it does in matter, and afibrding a conclusion that the work is the product of book- study rather than original observation. One of these conclusions, however, is very important. Prom the intrigues or conspiracies SO frequently detected in the courts of native princes against our power, and the confederacy which every temporary check tends to call into existence, the Indian empire appears to be held on the same condition as the Imperial crown of Naromars—uninterrupted success. The first great failure, though not fatal in itself, might prove an Oriental Moscow, by bringing the greater part of India about our ears.

thie attic most generally interesting chapters in the volumes be- fore us is the account of the Pindarries—a class of robbers spread over the greater part of India till the Marquis of HASTINGS de-. stroyed them. They had some resemblance to the free companions of the middle ages, in obeying a recognized commander and regular officers, as well as in selling their military services occasionally ; but the men of our olden time did not pa■Pas plunder, and had not the characteristics of a tribe. In their indiscriminate plunder- logs and devastations the Pindarries bore a sort of likeness to the Scottish 'Highland or Border thieves, but they wanted their local habitation and tuitional character.

THE l'INDARRIES

Were not composed of any peculiar people or tribe, but of a variety—of the refuse of all tribes, denomi;lations, and creeds. They were ge ncrally mined With spears, in the use of which they were Very expert ; a proportion of thou were .provided with matchlocks; and all were mounted. A party generally consisted of two or three thousand. Each man provided himself with a few cakes for his subsistence, and a few feeds of grain tor his horse ; trusting much to the cloture of plunder for the means of supplving the wants of both. They frequently marched thirty or forty miles a day ;•and in cases of extraordinary emergency they were capable of accomplishing fifty miles in that period. To effect these extraordinary exertions, they were accustomed to sustain the vigour of their horses by spices and stimulants.

The celerity of their marches was not more remarkable than their secrecy..

It was scarcely possible to pin information of their movements till they had completed them. They proceeded at once to the place of their destination; and, unencumbered with tents and baggage, they soon reached it. Here they divided into smaller parties, and commenced their career of plunder and de. vastation. Articles of the greatest value were disposed about their persons; cattle nfforded the means of their own transport. But the atrocious propensi- ties of these ruffians were not to be satisfied by what they could carry away. What was not removed they destroyed ; and wherever they marched villages were Seen ill flames, with the houseless and often wounded inhabitants flying in diemav to seek a shelter, which not unfrequently they were unable to at- tain. When they had laid the critintry completely waste, they approached a point of the frontier distant from that by which they had entered, and, uniting again into a compact body. returned home.

Time horrors attending these visitations were such as could not be credited

were the evidence less complete and conclusive. Despatch being indispensable, every variety of torture was resorted to for time purpose of extracting from the unhappy victims information of the treasures they were supposed to fumecon. crated. lled-hot irons were applied to the soles of their feet ; a bag tilled with hot ashes was tied over the mouth and nostrils of' the victim, mho was then beaten on the back to make him inhale the ingredients k• large stones were placed on the head or chest ; or, the sufferer being laid on his back, a plank or beam was placed across his chest, on which two men pressed with their whole weight ; oil was thrown on the clothes, which were then set on tire ; these, with many other med,s of torture equally frightful, were resorted to Neither sex nor nee afforded humanity. The hands ot children would frequently be cut off as the shortest way of obtaining the bracelets which adorned them • while women were sulijected to outrages compared with which torture and' death were mercy. To escape these, numbers rushed upon self-destruction. It is not one of the least revolting features in the economy of these murderous ad- vent urers, that their wonkli frequently- accompanied their male associates iii their excursions. They were mounted on small horses or camels, and are said to have exceeded the other sex in rapacity and cruelty. This many readily be believed ; for when woman lets once overcome the restraints which nature and universal feeling have imposed upon her, her progress downward is made with fearful rapidity.

\\lien the work of ruin was completed, the Pindarrics withdrew, like wild. beasts, to their lairs. Then a change of scene took place : the operation of plunder was exchanged for that of Inicksteming. The claim of the chief had first to be sati,fied; but it is not very clear how far this claim extended. By some, his share has been fixed at a fourth part of the entire booty. By others, it has beeu alleged that the mode of apportionment was uncertain ; but that elephants, palampiiiie, and umbrellas, were hcriots appertaining to the lord. After his claim was satisfied came that of the Lehharete or actual leader of the expedition ; then the payment of advanek s made by merchants ; for, like more civilized nations, these people occasionally contracted a nationiddebt The fact et' such a contderacy being able to borrow nentey is remarkable.

These preliminaries being disposed of, the scene that fellowed resembled a fair. Every man's share of the plunder was exposed for sale : purchasers docked from all quarters, proximate and remote : the business of sale being principally conducted by the women. Whether this arose from the indolence of the men, or that the women had the reputation of making better bargains, does not appear ; but such was time cotton,. In the mean time, the men gave themselves up to amusemeat, of which intoxication constituted a considerable portion. The remaioile r was worthy of the aesociation iu which it was found. This lasted until the produce of the expedition was exhausted. and it bevame necesmry to seek in fresh ontraecs retiewed means of gratificetion. Thus passed the life el the Piudarrie robber, in an aiternatime of brutal exertion and sensual abandoianent.

BURMESE DIPLOMATIC WIT.

The treaty shelled by the British and Burmese commanders W.E, also found in the lines of Mellott)]. This Sir Archibald Campbell despatched by a mes- senger to the Kee Woongee. accompimying it by a note, stating that, in the hurry of departure from Melloon it appeared to have been forgotten. The Woongee and his colleague tolitely returned thanks: ; hat obsers val. that the situate hUlTy whuch Lad the lo ee of the treaty, had compelled them to caused

leave behind a large sum of money, which they were sure the British tjeneral only wahed an opportunity- of returning.

The opinion of Mrs. PosTaNs as to the dissatisfaction of the .Mahomeouts with the British rule, is confirmed by Mr. TnonaroN. The haughty Moslems, so lately the conquerors and despots of the land, regad thcm. successors with an evil eye, have been constantly intriguing against us, and would form a confederacy with any power, it' there were a prospect not of permanent triumph. but of temporary success. The mutiny of Vellore, Mr. THORNTON con- siders, did not originate in any dislike to a change in the form of the turban, or in the perhaps injudicious tampering with the libido° marks of caste displayed in a palmed filec ; and still less in an apprehension of the :Government being about to enforce conversion to Christianity. These were trines or pretences—. the true cause was Mussulman intr:gue with the sons of Tippoo and some native princes, to cause a revolt in the Native Army, preparatory to a general war. The narrative of this mutiny occa- sions some remarks on the character of the Indian Army, and what should be the conduct of our officers ; the importance of which can receive no addition from recent events, though the virtual extension of our donduions into Atighanistan may give them more present attraction.

THE MORALE 01' THE NATIVE ARMY.

One great pint of reliance, which is atforded v :haost every other army, is

wanting in that of India. The pride of country 1.1.1% A)Ile die best securities for the aihlitv of the soldier, and ail jtaliclinlis CotlEll'Inders are well aware of the iniportanee of preserving it unimpliired. In India, die case is fi ifferent. The nathmal feeling mf the troops can afford no ground of confidence ; what- ever portion ofthis quality they may happen to possess 11111S1 operate to the prejudice of their rukrs. The men who govern belie are not eat ices of India; strangers to the soil command the obedience of its sons, and if national pride entered largely into the character of the natives, that obedience, if yielded at all, would he yielded reluctantly. Generally, in India, this feeli»g is any thing but strong ; and its place is occupied by a sense of the benefits derived by the individual from the maintenance of time European supremacy, combined with a somewhat indefinite amid perhaps almost superLeitious feeling of respect for the people who, within the compass of a very brief period, have, as if by enchant- ment, become masters of an empire splendid beyond comparison with auy other ever held in a condition of dependency by a foreign state. Yet, with all the allowances that must be made on the grounds of selfishness, and admiration, and fear, it must not be supposed that natives always look on the existing state of things with entire eatiefaetiou, It is not ease for the Mahomedan to

folget that very recently men of his own race and creed wielded the sceptre whiehlite now tmosfeited to Europeans.; and though the passive character of

the Hituloo, and the estrangement from political power consequent upon the previous subjugation of his country, may generally be sufficient to preclude 'm from meditating schemes of conquest and reprisal, he is under the influ- eace of other feelings little calculated to promote military subordination or se-

cure military fidelity. The pride of caste, and the bigoted attachment with which the Hindoo clings to an unsocial superstition, which interferes with al- most every action of daily life, have a direct tendency to foster habits which in Europe must be regarded as altogether inconsistent with the character of a soldier. Between an army composed of Hindoos and Mallomedans, and the Europeans who command them, there can be but little community of feeling. Differing as they do in country, in religious belief, in habits of life, in form and complexion, they have not even the bond of a common tongue ; the European officers generally possessing but a slender knowledge of the languages ot the men under their command, and the men no knowledge at all of the language of their officers. The elements of discontent are therefore sufficiently powerful, while the means of allaying it are small; and it is obvious that, in an army so constituted, vigilance must never for a moment be permitted to slumber This important truth can never be lost sight of without endangering the safety of the British dominion in India, and by consequence the wellbeing of the people committed to its care.

DINTS FOR IMPROVING THE NATIVE ARMY.

The safety of the empire demands that the bond of connexion between the native army and their British officers should be confirmed and strengthened. For tins purpose, the more the means of intercourse between the several classes are facilitated, the better. A common language is a great instrument for avoid- ing misunderstanding and promoting good-will, and it is to be feared that the native tongues have not always received that degree of attention from British officers to which they were entitled. Some additional encouragements to their study seem requisite, as the mastering of them so materially tends to promote that harmony and mutual good understanding which it is so important to esta- blish. A mere smattering of a language may be sufficient for conveying and understanding the dry details of regimental ditty; bet it is not sufficient for establishing and maintaining that degree of influence over the natives which every well-wisher to the permanence of the British dominion must be desirous Should exist.

Another point of vital importance will be to raise the character of the native troops, and especially of the native officers, as far as nary be, to a British stand- ard—to imbue them with a portion of those noble principles which the Euro- pean world derives from the age of chivalry, and to give them the habits and the feeling of ..gentlemen. 'I he principle of honour which feels "a stain like a wound," should be sedulously inculcated and encouraged. By advancing the character of the native soldiery in the scale of moral dignity, we are adding to the security of our own dominion in the East ; by & grading it or suffering it to sink—nay, by permitting it to remain stationary, we are cooperating with the designs of our enemies, and undermining the safety of our government. Where the soldier is actuated exclusively by the lower and more seltiell motives, his services will always be at the command of him who can hold out the strongest temptations to his ambition or cupidity.