does not bear any royal commission, as an ensign or cornet in the army, is thus supported in the performance of his duty, and made respectable in the eyes of his men, though checked in all explosions of childish petulance--even to this child, as an officer in command, respect is exacted; and on the finest arena of discipline ever exhibited to the world, it is habitually felt that from open disrespect to the ruin of all discipline the steps of descent are rapid. This important fact in evidence as to the demeanour of the sepoy, throws a new light upon the whole revolt. Manifestly it had been moulding and preparing itself for the last two years, or more. And those authorities who had tolerated Colonel Wheler for months, might consistently tolerate this presumption in the sepoy for a year. [Footnote 60: For the sake of readers totally unacquainted with the subject, it may be as well to make an explanation or two. The East India regiments generally run to pretty high numbers--1000 or 1200. The _high_ commissioned officers, as the captain, lieutenant, &c., are always British; but the _non-commissioned_ officers are always native Hindoos--that is, sepoys. For instance, the _naik_, or corporal; the _havildar_, or serjeant:--even of the _commissioned_ officers, the _lowest_ are unavoidably native, on account of the native private. Note that _sepoy_, as colloquially it is called, but _sipahee_, as in books it is often written, does not mean Hindoo or Hindoo soldier, but is simply the Hindoo word for _soldier_.] [Footnote 61: '_The laurelled majesty_,' &c.:--A flying reference to a grand expression--_majestas laurea frontis_--which occurs in a Latin supplement to the _Pharsalia_ by May, an English poet, contemporary with the latter days of Shakspere.] * * * * *