at the main) which flew at the mast head of the Queen Charlotte during the arduous conflict at Algiers; several shots had passed through this honourable emblem of the departed nobleman's great achievement; the sword his Lordship wore on that occasion, hung with crape, was also placed on the coffin. His Lordship's four sons, his son-in-law Captain Harwood, and other near relations of his family, attended on the occasion, as did also Vice-Admiral Sir Charles Ekins, Captain the Hon. T. W. Aylmer, and Captain Parson, all of whom served under his Lordship at Algiers; Rear-Admiral Sir Charles Dashwood, Captain Bastard, Captain Hill, Captain Reynolds, and others of the Royal Navy; Mr. Bentinck, Rev. Mr. Carrington, Mr. Munro, Mr. Chichester, and many other gentlemen. On the conclusion of the solemnity, a young oak tree was planted, and named the Exmouth Oak, opposite the door of the vault.

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No. II.

SIR GEORGE DALLAS, BART.

THIS highly respected and accomplished gentleman died at Brighton, on the 14th of January, 1833. He was descended from an ancient family long established at Cantra in North Britain, and was born in London, on the 6th of April, 1758. He was educated principally at Geneva, under the care of Mr. Chauvet, a distinguished minister of the Swiss Church, together with his brother, the late Right Honourable Sir Robert Dallas, who afterwards became a leading ornament of the British bar, and, in his high station of Lord Chief Justice of the Court of Common Pleas, exemplified the noblest attributes of the judicial character. In this spot, so justly celebrated as a school of mental discipline, these highly gifted relatives early imbibed that taste for the cultivation of letters which gave, in both, so high a finish to their solid intellectual endowments. At the age of 18, Sir George (then Mr.) Dallas sailed for Bengal, as a writer in the service of the East India Company; and, having given proof of the most promising abilities, was, soon after his arrival in India, appointed to a station of some importance at Ramgur. He had previously acquired considerable celebrity by a sprightly and ingenious poem, descriptive of the adventures of an Indian voyage, and of the first impressions of a youthful mind on finding itself surrounded by objects so remote from European associations. This work, which abounded with the most lively images, and was written in a vein of pleasing versification, was afterwards published at Calcutta, under the title of "The India Guide;" and was dedicated to the celebrated Anstie; whose popular poem "The Bath Guide" had suggested to the author the idea of a similar undertaking. In the circles

of Calcutta it excited a peculiar interest, as well from the circumstance of its being the first publication which ever issued from the press of India, as from the vivid pictures it presented of social life and manners in the East.

From the post to which he was originally appointed, Mr. Dallas was soon promoted, at the express desire of Mr. Hastings, to the more momentous charge of superintendent of the collections at Raageshay. A selection so honourable to its object was amply justified by the ability and discretion with which he entered upon the performance of the duties attaching to an arduous and highly responsible situation.

The revenues of an extensive district, which for several years had been progressively declining, were raised by his management to an amount far exceeding the produce of any former year, while, by his prudent and judicious regulations, the prosperity of the Zemindars was equally improved. A masterly knowledge of the native languages, and a discriminating perception of the various peculiarities which diversify the Indian character, qualified Mr. Dallas in an eminent degree for administering, in a manner most satisfactory to his employers, the government confided to his charge. A singular suavity of deportment, at once acquiring the confidence of the natives, increased the utility of his public talents, and facilitated the operation of many schemes of improvement which he successfully carried into effect. Having presided for some years over these important interests with the highest credit and distinction, he was obliged, by the failure of his health, to solicit leave to return to England. He received on this occasion a signal proof of the estimation in which his character and services were held by the chief authorities of government, as will appear in the following extracts from the records of the East India Company.

"BENGAL CONSULTATIONS."

"It having been moved in Council, and carried unanimously, That Mr. Dallas should be recommended to the particular notice of the Court of Directors for the public

service he had rendered to the Company; the Secretary, by order of the Board, acquainted Mr. Dallas with this resolution; and the following paragraphs were in consequence inserted in their general letter by the Deptford, dated January, 1786.

"Par. 4. Mr. George Dallas having solicited our permission to return to England on account of the ill state of his health, we have complied with his request. In justice to this gentleman, and from the favourable opinion entertained by you of his conduct and abilities, he was considered as particularly deserving of promotion, and he was in consequence appointed by the Board, on the 26th of August, 1783, to the general superintendency of the collections of Raageshay; the revenues of which province, since they were committed to his charge, have been considerably improved. The collections in the course of the years they were under his management, have exceeded those of the same number of preceding years in no less a sum than 4,35,366 Sicca rupees, 54,4177.

"Par. 5. Mr. Dallas, during the course of six years that he has been employed in this branch of your affairs*, has conducted himself at all times in the most irreproachable manner; there has not been an instance of a single complaint preferred against him. We with pleasure, therefore, recommend him to your favourable notice, as having justly merited the early distinction you were pleased to show him; and as a person who, from the knowledge he possesses of the native languages, is well qualified to be again useful to you whenever his health shall be so far restored as to enable him to service."

return to your

Having in consequence resigned his office, Mr. Dallas proceeded to Calcutta, where, shortly before he embarked for England, he distinguished himself in a remarkable manner by a speech which he delivered to a crowded audience on a subject of the deepest interest to the British residents in Asia.

* Sir George Dallas also served five years in the Political, Commercial, and Judicial Departments.

A meeting had been appointed for the 1st of August, 1785, of the inhabitants of Calcutta for the purpose of petitioning Parliament against the India Bill of Mr. Pitt. It was the first political meeting ever held in India, and the following account of the proceedings which took place at it appeared the next day in a Calcutta Journal, a press having been established in Bengal a short time previous to the date of this transaction.

66

Bengal Gazette, 1st August, 1785.-On Monday last a very numerous and respectable meeting of the British inhabitants in Calcutta was held at the Theatre, in consequence of a summons from the Sheriff, at the request of the Grand Jury, for the purpose of considering the late Act of Parliament relative to India. Mr. Purling being previously appointed Chairman by the general voice of all present, then opened the business of the meeting. He was followed by Mr. Dallas, who spoke on the occasion for very near an hour and a half. It is but barely justice to this gentleman to observe, that such uncommon powers as he displayed, so thorough and perfect a knowledge of our constitution in all its parts, the rapidity and eloquence of his ideas, the strength and accuracy of his reasoning, have seldom been so fortunately united in any man, especially in one so young. If we can judge from the effect which this first essay of his oratorical abilities has had, and the impressions it has left on the minds of all who heard him, we will venture to foretel, when he is emboldened by a little more practice in delivering his sentiments in public, that there will be few more shining characters in the British empire. We lament our inability to satisfy the curiosity of the public by entering into a detail of this gentleman's speech; the variety of matter he urged, the elegance of his language, and the brilliancy of his imagination, forbid any attempt of the sort; however, we are happy in knowing that it is to be published by desire of the Committee." The triumphant success obtained by Mr. Dallas in his first attempt at public speaking created in him a passion for an art, which he afterwards practised with distinction, and of which the cul