| John Tulloch Nash

“ It is impossible for those who have not actually lived among the peasantry of Upper India, and who have not themselves had experience of their innate character and of their inner life, to be able fully to realise their amiability of disposition and inborn goodness of heart. ”

“ In the compass of the heavens, without a cloud even as diminutive as a butterfly to screen his blinding rays, the sun appears from day to day, and for months, like an enormous ruby set in a burnished dome of brass, whence descends a fiery glow almost akin to that derivable from the focus of a burning-glass. ”

“ And through all the vicissitudes of the Mutiny — through all the horrors of that sanguinary epoch, their sympathies were with the Sahibs (European gentry) . As a rule, they not only manifested the utmost repugnance to the cause of the rebellion, but fearlessly supported the authorities where they were able to resist the influence of the vortex in which vast numbers were engulfed, like thousands of the Sepoys; who were positively the victims of the revolt themselves. ”

“ That many aggrieved Hindus, and some of them, too, of exalted rank and great wealth, had just cause to deplore the cruel wrongs they had suffered through the “policy” of the East India Company, and in consequence took advantage of the Sepoy revolt by joining the mutineers, nobody denies — no more than that the local peasantry who so eagerly plunged into the rebellion, were those associated in some capacity or other with these wronged Hindu families. ”

“ It was during this anxious time of unceasing vigilance that the Corps had Death ever present by its side; for while scouring the surrounding country throughout the night and reconnoitring by moonlight, a close, well-directed volley from any of the deserted villages that lay along the line of roads we patrolled, must inevitably have brought down the whole patrolling party, like a flock of birds as with a single shot. But familiarity with danger breeds contempt for it ”

“ A sting from either is certain death in a few hours; and that being indisputably true, it is curious to note that the karith and cobra persistently haunt the dwellings of men, whilst the other numerous species of snakes far less poisonous — some indeed harmless — rarely approach human habitations at all. ”

“ Meat particularly was seldom barely better than carrion itself, and sometimes indeed so uninviting to the appetite and eye that one could hardly look at it without holding one’s nose — no facetiousness is here implied — and this, too, be it remembered by all who read this, in times when at any moment our mettle, energy, and biceps were liable to be tested against a desperate and bloodthirsty foe in the field. ”

“ Moreover, taking them all together, they possess a wonderful similarity of disposition in showing much sympathy and kindness, not alone towards each other when in trouble or distress, but even to perfect strangers. “Live and let live” is their undying maxim, and so rigidly do they adhere to the principle of this sympathetic fellow-feeling, that the most productive lands adjoining their villages are often gratuitously set apart as Bhiya-Chara, which, being interpreted, means provision for the poor Brotherhood. ”

“ Whatever may have been their natural feelings of indignation raised by the perfidious cry of their caste being on the brink of destruction, these faithful peasantry remained steadfast in their allegiance to the Government that had brought them within the pale of civilisation. ”

“ They are known to venerate even the very insects of the earth, and regard all animals as having been formed like themselves by the decree of God, whose life they have no more right to take away or to put it to corporal pain wantonly than that of a human being. ”

“ Yet it seems strange, and it will hardly be believed, but it is nevertheless a fact, that the karith, like the cobra, is naturally partial to places where men live. And although this dangerous reptile is only half the size of a cobra, it is equally venomous. ”