The first, dated 1807, reminds us of the gradual expansion of the British Empire. It was struck to commemorate the capture of Ceylon from the Dutch, 1795-6. The medal was made in gold and silver in Calcutta and was given, probably exclusively, to the Bengal Native Artillery--one of those sections of the native Indian Army of which the East India Company was justly proud. The medal was unusually plain, there being no pictorial design, but merely the inscription, "For Service at the Island of Ceylon, A.D. 1795-6," on the obverse, and a Persian inscription on the reverse. It may be said that questions were asked by those in authority as to how so severe a pattern came to be chosen, and the reply was given that as no exceptional feats occurred during the campaign, a simple design was deemed most suitable. The reason seems unconvincing. [Illustration: THE GENERAL SERVICE MEDAL, 1793-1814.] [Illustration: THE AFGHAN MEDAL.] [Illustration: SOUTH AFRICAN MEDAL, 1877-9.] The siege and capture of Seringapatam, which culminated in the death of that arch-enemy, Tippoo Sahib, was the occasion for issuing a Madras medal, according to a general order dated July 18, 1808. Gold pieces were given to senior officers, silver gilt pieces to field officers, silver pieces to junior officers, bronze pieces to the rank and file of the British force, and tin pieces to sepoys. The design was attractive: on the obverse appeared a landscape view of our gallant men storming Seringapatam, whilst a lion overwhelming a tiger filled the reverse. The medal was not made in Calcutta, as was usually the case with the Indian decorations, but at Birmingham. Collectors have often been at a loss to know how the Indian awards were intended to be worn. In reference to the Seringapatam distinction, Mayo, in "Medals and Decorations of the British Army and Navy," says: "There is no doubt that they were issued unmounted, and as no directions had been given by the authorities the details as to ribbon and mountings devolved on the recipients, who exercised their own discretion and taste. It is, however, probable that the European officers wore them as the gold medals for the Peninsular and other campaigns were worn--i.e. round the neck, or at the button-hole, according to rank. Some added a clasp bearing the word Seringapatam.