SIR CHARLES NAPIER. [From the Times, March 20.]

New Zealand Spectator and Cook's Strait Guardian, Volume v, Issue 422, 18 August 1849, Page 4

SIR CHARLES NAPIER. [From the Times, March 20.]

It warns orlv a few weeks to complete the pericd of half a century since Colonel Arthur Wellesley made that successful attack which enabled General" Harris to establish his outposts within a mile of the citadel of Seringapatam. The recollection of the brief disaster that preceded that success, and of the unbroken continuity of glorious achievements which followed it, will help to dispel all fears for the career of the General who sets forth this day to the field of Eastern conflict under the auspices of the Victor of Assaye v ' There perhaps has been only one other instance, within the last half century, of a commander designated by the popular voice to take' the .management of an important expedition. Nelson was summoned from his rural cottage at Merton by the concurrent voice of the nation, to sail on the memorable cruise which ended with victory and death at Trafalgar. Sir G. Napier sets forth, indeed, under circumstance's, though not parallel, yet somewhat similar. He goes with that, which Nelson in his last days had lost, but in his earliest days had fondly-cherished, — the friendship, the advice, and the support of the Chief under whom he had first won renown. Sir C. Napier may have quarrelled with some, may have become obnoxious to others, of those with whom he was formerly associated ; but he is not estranged from Wellington, as Nelson was estranged from St. Vincent. But in this his departure resembles that of the hero of the Nile. " The people of England had been so much spoiled then with naval victories that an imperfect success like that of Sir R. Calder seemed as bad as a defeat. They have of late years again been so accustomed to Indian victories, that a drawn battle or a temporary check seems a positive disgrace. They expect that, whether they be the foe, or whatever his resources, the same fortune is invariably to follow a British camp that attended Lake and Wellesley in the Deccan, Napier in -the Scinde, and Hardinge and Gough in the Sutlej. They raise the formidable rivals against the pretensions of'a commander, — his .own past achievements. They call for Napier .as they called for Nelson. The disaster that has expedited or rather enforced Sir C. Napier's journey is novel only to those whose acquaintance with our Indian his'tbry is confined to its most recent occurrences. —In truth, that history, though it Jibs been mainly distinguished by great achievements- and splendid victories, has not been without reverses, defeats, and catastrophes. Colonel Monson's retreat to Agra, in IBo4j was far more unfortunate than anything which we have yet heard of the present campaign. The slaughter under Lord Gough was great, but the carnage under Lord Lake was awful. Again, the field which witnessed the death of Colonel Gillespie was fraught with greater dangers than either of those on which the brave Cureton and Pennycuick "received their mortal wounds. v •On the whole, the circumstances under which Sir Charles takes the command of his army are not discouraging. There has been a reverse, but a reverse without a humiliation. There is in the Punjaub an army of 60,000 men and 250 pieces of cannon. The most important fortress in the country has fallen into cur hands.- The physical hardihood of the army has been thoroughly proved. The noble intrepidity with which a regiment stood its ground till all of its men and two-thirds of its officers were cut down, must make an impression on any foe. Where, therefore, to the daring and constancy of such a force are added the intelligence and skill of so accomplished a General as - Sir C. Napier, the organisation and effect of our army may be considered to be completed. Besides the qualities of the army and its commander, we have another element of success, in the ability and courage of that noble service which is supplying us with young officers like Edwardses and Conlands. With such' advantages, and under such auspices, we ventureto hope that the arrival of Sir C. Napier in India will settle for ever the destiny of the Sikhs, and confirm the encouraging — but perhaps the last — achfress which he had the fortune to receive from the'great soldier under whom he first drew his sword. j