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THE KING OF DELHI.

Column that is being sent down from Delhi; but week after week has the intended march of the Column been postponed. The day now fixed for its moving is the 10th of this month, and I fancy it is pretty certain to go about that date, unless some unexpected troubles again occur in the vicinity of Delhi; but now that the Joudhpore mutineers have been dispersed, I do not think there is much likelihood of any further rebels moving in the direction of Delhi. The Column going to Cawnpore is to escort carriage and camp followers, of which the troops there are much in want.

The King remains at Delhi for the present, and what his fate is to be we know not. I hear from Harriott (my deputy at Meerut) that he was going over that evening to conduct his trial, ordered by Government There is no doubt of the old brute's life having been guaranteed to him by Hodson, to whom he gave himself up, for I was in the Palace when the King was brought in a prisoner, and Hodson himself told me of his having promised him his life— but under what authority this was done I know not. I have not myself seen any of the papers on the subject, but I understand there are lots forthcoming to prove that the King took an active part in the rebellion, and, worse than all, he gave his approval to the Jhansi massacre. Government at one time ordered him to be sent to Calcutta, but this, General Penny said, it was impossible to do with the force at present at his disposal; perhaps if the old wretch is sent to the Cape de Verds, Ascension, or some of these places, the effect will be quite as good as hanging him.*

I must refer you to the papers for all the news about the progress made in disposing of the mutineers. We have only news from Cawnpore to the 20th of last month, and so far matters had proceeded very satisfactorily, and the loss of life on our side was not greater than might have been anticipated.

There was a talk, I heard yesterday, of our retiring from Lucknow for the present; in my opinion it would be a fatal mistake, and the effect would be very bad all over India. It is a thousand pities we ever took Oude, but we must keep it now at all hazards.

Severely cold weather here, and a heavy fall of snow last week, the first I have seen for many years. We (the Babas and I) had a gentle game of snowballing.

* See Appendix G.