“Gentlemen, Mr. Moore says he does not quite know what brought me out to India, and as I, to use his own expression, have appeared before you in four various phases, first of which he puts as soldier, I think this is a good opportunity of telling you that it was in the capacity of a subaltern in the 9th Lancers that I came out to this country, and he is quite right in saying that it was in that uniform I first appeared in Calcutta, as extra A.D.C. on Lord Northbrook’s staff, leading the cortège of His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales from Prinseps Ghât to Government House. “I regret that the abundance of brown locks to which he refers no longer remain, but is replaced by a scanty silver fringe--(laughter and cheers). “With regard to the allusion he made to the straightness of the nose--(laughter)--that he recollects on that occasion, he is not quite correct, and there is a gentleman (Mr. J. J. Allan) among my hosts here to-night that can testify to the fact that, owing to a slight disagreement he and I had many years ago, not actually in the playing fields of Eton, but close by, he made a little arrangement that prevented the particular nose referred to being worn straight by its wearer for the rest of his life--(laughter and cheers)--this particular battle was not won by either, as it was acknowledged to be a draw, and I am glad to tell you the two combatants have been the very best of friends ever since--(hear, hear, and cheers). “When I came out with the 9th, the greatest aim and object of my life was, some day in the future, to get command of that regiment, but force of circumstances prevented these wishes being gratified, and I elected, whether for better or worse I cannot say, to remain as Military Secretary with the Viceroy of India, in preference to going back as second in command of my old regiment, and thus closing promotion which I was bound to get by remaining on in my post out here. I am sorry to say, therefore, that it is years since I have done any soldiering, and it is a great regret to me on leaving this country that I cannot return to the dear old regiment in which I began my service.