Still, as I have said, there are records of many failures and we are too fond of passing over our weak points and dwelling on the strong. In the case of the Mutiny we recall with pride the deeds of Nicholson and Havelock, and are never weary of the old stories of the siege of Delhi and the relief of Lucknow. All honour to those who quitted themselves like men; but I am afraid there are many episodes of the Mutiny which are little creditable to the British, whether civilians or soldiers. A great many individuate were found unequal to the occasion; and this is true of every war and probably of the majority of actions. There was certainly one instance of misbehaviour at Trafalgar, one ship did not respond to Nelson's famous signal; and Collingwood spoke his mind about it at the time, though few people know it. We must therefore never be satisfied with the fame of our fore-runners, and suppose that it suffices for us. Let us by all means be kindled by their example to the utmost fulfilment of our duty; but let us know also when and where and why they failed. Let us study their defeats as well as their victories; let us ask ourselves whether some of the failings which brought about those defeats may not still be present among us. If we can truly and conscientiously say that they are not, then we may--but always with caution--presume to criticise and even to censure; always remembering that it is not enough for us to emulate the deeds of our ancestors. If we are not to fall below them, we must endeavour to surpass them, for there is no such thing as a stationary Empire. INDEX Abercromby, Sir Ralph, in the W. Indies, 126-7 Acre, mentioned, 43 Adams, Major Thos., in India, 164 Addington, Henry, mentioned, 86-8, 127 Afghanistan, mentioned, 163; campaigns in, 187-90, 197 Africa, South, early wars in, 131-5; Zulus in, 41; last war, 27, 45, 98, 112 Africa, West, fighting in, 143-4 Agra, capture of, 175 Aix-la-Chapelle, Peace of, 76, 155 Akbar, the Emperor, 152 Albemarle, Lord, in the W. Indies, 123 Albuera, battle of, 39 Alexander the Great, mentioned, 40 Aligarh, capture of, 175 Aliwal, battle of, 193 Allahabad, capture of, 164 Alsace, mentioned, 43 America, War of Independence, 28, 80-2, 110-12, 135; the British in N., 55, 59, 76, 80, 102-5; character of settlers, 104-5, 107, 109-12; war of 1812, 113; and see under Canada Amherst, Gen. Jeffery, in Canada, 109 Amherst, Lord, in India, 183, 185 Amir Khan, mentioned, 179 Anne, Queen, mentioned, 109 Aracan, capture of, 184 Arcot, 156 Argaum, battle of, 175