India, its extent and resources--Its Population--Its Invasion by Alexander--The beginning of the English Empire in India--The East India Company and its Officers--How the Empire was Extended--The Afghan Campaign of 1839-40-41--The Sikh War--Battle of Ferozeshah--The Norfolk Regiment amongst those who safeguarded England's honour--Battle of Aliwal--The "Holy Boys" again leading the way--The Burmese War--Our Sepoy Army and how it was treated--The Mutiny Predicted--The Commencement of the Mutiny in 1857--Comparative Numbers of Native and British Troops--Mungul Pandy, the first Mutineer--Fatal Indecision of our Commanders--The Revolting Scenes at Delhi--List of the people killed by the Rebels--The Force that first encountered the Mutineers--Rapid spread of the Mutiny--Nana Sahib's Proclamation--The Butchery of Women and Children--Delhi Captured and the Mutineers put to the sword, by a Norfolk man, Sir Archdale Wilson--The Delhi Field Force and its killed and wounded--Vengeance exacted--Disarming Mutinous Regiments--Description of the Scene--Blowing Rebels from the Guns--The 10th (Lincolnshire) Regiment at Benares. HISTORICAL SKETCH. Before proceeding to relate my experiences during nineteen years' service in India, and in doing so to recall some of the incidents of the terrible Mutiny of 1857-8, I desire to say a few words respecting that great country and its people.