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Sir David Ochterlony, who was not only the conqueror of Nepaul, after all other Generals had failed, but was one of the finest, best, and bravest soldiers the Indian army ever had to boast.

Besides this Memoir, it has been considered expedient to publish an account of the formation and services of the Sirmoor battalion-a corps of Goorkhalees, formed out of the Nepaulese, after the hills had fallen under the British yoke.

Other works have appeared in reference to Nepaul; but the Author of the present one confidently believes that no complete account of the kingdom, and all that relates to it, has been published until now.

LONDON,

MAY, 1852.

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INTRODUCTION.

It was remarked by a celebrated Prime Minister, in speaking of a General of high character and professional attainments, and of unquestionable courage, but who had always been unfortunate in war, that he wanted only one quality to constitute him a great warriornamely, success. Whatever may be the errors committed in the course of a campaign, if the ultimate issue be favourable, the verdict of society stamps the fortunate commander a "great" General.

"Success" is undoubtedly a superb feather in the cap of a soldier. It hallows blunders,

VOL. I.

B

and consecrates follies;-it is at once an answer, an apology, and a justification. The Poles were traitors because they failed at Grodno and Ostrolenka; had they triumphed, Skrynecski would have been elevated to the rank of a hero, and the Emperor of all the Russias degraded to the condition of a monster.

There is, however, another accident indispensable to the elevation of a military man. Whatever may be his natural talents, however extensive his professional attainments-though his courage be indomitable and his acquaintance. with the "bookish theoric" something prodigious, he remains for ever in obscurity, if he does not at some time or other enjoy the blessing of opportunity. Nine-tenths of the officers of the British army are, to all appearance, cast in the same mould. They have the same ideas, the same aspirations; are animated by the same motives, governed by the same principles, and are nearly of the same degree of capacity. But the opportunity of achieving distinction alone establishes their

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