tile chiefs in awe, they were overtaken by a violent and destructive pestilence, which had well nigh proved fatal to all their plans. This malady received from medical men the title of cholera morbus, from its general resemblance to that disease. It fell with extraordinary violence on the army commanded by Lord Hastings in person, while it was on its march from the Sindh, on the 14th November. Owing to the scarcity of grain which prevailed at this time, the troops were using food of very inferior quality; that part of Bundelcund where they were encamped was also very unhealthy, and ill supplied with water; and at this particular season the heat of the day was most strongly contrasted with the cold during the night. All these circumstances, joined to the crowded state of the encampment, gave an extraordinary degree of virulence to this epidemic, which raged for ten days with such fury, that the whole camp was converted into an hospital, and the deaths, in this short period, amounted, as nearly as could be calculated, to a tenth of the whole number collected. The army turned eastward, in the hope of finding a better climate on the Betwa; but the line of march was strewed with the dead and dying, and those that were in health were broken in spirits, and incapable of exertion, so that the whole efficiency of this fine army appeared for a time to be destroyed. Towards the end of November, the epidemic abated its virulence, after the army had reached a healthier station at Erich, on the Betwa.

The army was again put in motion for active operations, and had commenced a system of attack against the Pindarees which was completely successful, when an alarm was spread as to the hostile intentions of Holkar. Sir John Malcolm, with his corps, immediately fell back upon Oojein, and

having effected a junction, on the 12th December, with Sir Thomas Hislop, the two divisions advanced, on the 14th, towards the camp of Holkar, for the purpose of giving effect to the treaty which had been proposed for his acceptance. Matters continued in this state for some days, the two armies remaining all the while within 14 miles of each other, that of Holkar being at Mehudpoor, while Sir Thomas Hislop was at Pimbehar, a little to the north of Oojein. The appearances of approaching hostilities were in the mean time becoming every day more decided, and on the 20th December, Sir Thomas Hislop advanced, in consequence, to within seven miles of Holkar's camp. On that day, a picquet of Mysore horse was attacked by 200 of Holkar's cavalry, and it was accordingly resolved either to enforce the acceptance of the proposed terms of peace, or to bring on a general action without further delay. On the 21st December the army again advanced, and an answer was received from Holkar's court to a proposition for negociation, which left no doubt that war was resolved on. Sir Thomas Hislop immediately advanced, for the purpose of attacking the enemy. On approaching Mehudpoor, Holkar's army was observed to be drawn up in line on the opposite bank of the Soopra. Having reconnoitered the ground, it was discovered that the troops, after passing the river, might form on the opposite bank, within 300 yards of the enemy's artillery, from which they would be sheltered by the overhanging banks of the river. It was in consequence resolved to attack in front by the ford; for which purpose a few light troops were pushed across, followed by 14 guns of the horse artillery, and a troop of rocketers. The horse artillery immediately opened a fire on the line of defence; but they were soon silenced by the superiority

of the enemy's fire. In the mean time, the army had passed the ford, and was now formed for the attack. The enemy possessed a commanding artillery, which was extremely well served, and occasioned a severe loss. But nothing could shake thesteadiness of the troops, who advanced under a heavy fire, and overpowered all resistance by the intrepidity of their attack. Holkar's camp, with all his artillery, was captured; an immense booty was taken by the cavalry, who pursued the flying enemy. The loss of the British was severe, amounting to 174 killed, and 604 wounded. This battle was decisive; the power of Holkar was completely broken, and he according ly sent to sue for peace. The messenger dispatched for this purpose arrived at the British camp on the 1st January, 1818.

Those contests with the native powers which broke out in the course of the war with the Pindarees, did not materially interfere with its main ob. ject. According to the plan of the campaign, all the different corps had marched northward, taking such positions as alarmed the enemy in his

most remote haunts. By the judicious dispositions made, several corps of the freebooters were intercepted and destroyed; and about the end of the year, when the war with Holkar was brought to a triumphant close, the whole army was in motion, for the purpose of completing the destruction of this military banditti, which had so long preyed on the country, and of establishing on a solid basis, the future peace of India. It was one of the great ob. jects of the war undertaken by the governor general, not merely to crush for ever that host of adventurers, who, under the shew of honourable war, followed the trade of robbery and murder, but also to settle, according to some fixed principle, the endless disputes among the different chieftains about their respective territorial rights and privileges, those disputes serving to keep alive in the heart of India a perpetual civil war, and to cherish among the people those habits of mili tary licence, which were entirely sub. versive of good order and peace. The account of the various measures adopted for this purpose belongs, however, to the succeeding volume.

THE most prominent British public character of whom death deprived the world, was Mr GEORGE PONSONBY, usually considered in parliament as the leader of opposition. This highly respectable statesman was born on the 5th March 1755, and was a branch of one of the families in Ireland most distinguished for wealth and influence. His father, brother to the Earl of Besborough, was long speaker to the Irish House of Commons, and has been described as enjoying the patronage of all Ireland. This is doubtless an exaggeration; though, in consequence of the vast influence of the landed aristocracy in that country, it has been long the system of the British ministry to rule that kingdom through the medium of one or other of its great families. The Besboroughs, after their union with the Shannons, and other

great houses, eclipsed the Beresfords, their only rivals, and for a long time enjoyed, almost exclusively, the confidence of the British government. Under these brilliant auspices, Mr Ponsonby was introduced into political life. Being possessed, however, neither of title nor fortune, his extensive influence could not be rendered effective without a profession. He entered, therefore, in one of the inns of court, and devoted himself to the bar. In two or three years, he obtained the office of prosecutor in revenue causes, with emoluments of 12001. a-year. Looking forward, however, to a sure succession of high and lucrative offices, he acted more like one who had a fortune to enjoy than to acquire. A passion for hunting distracted his mind from more serious avocations. There was no appearance of his rising to