TOPICS OF THE DAY.
In a pleasantly-written appreciation, in the London "Daily News," oi Mr 0. T. J. Alpers's book of "Canterbury Rhymes," our Agent-General draws attention to one characteristic of the poems therein found, which' gives their publication at the present time even mors appropriateness than was supplied by our Jubilee celebrations. The interest of the book to an Englishman, as Mr Reeves says, lies mainly "in the striking manifestation it gives of the intense greater British patriotism which has always been notable at the Antipodes. Affection for England is the keynote of ths book's first poem, written in 1850. Affection for England rings out in the last, written by the editor in 1900." And then Mr Reeve 3 quotes, as proof of the patriotism of the pioneers, the first verse, of the "Night-watch Song of the Charlotte Jane," written by Mr J. E. FitzGerald, ending with the lines: —
Canterbuiy Rhymes.
"Here's a health to the land we are leaving And the land we are going to." Recognition is deservedly accorded to the Hon. C- C. Bc-wen's poem, "The Battle of the Free," written at the time of the
Crimean war, in which, with prophetic eye, he saw the day when -tuidering seas of half the vvorld England** far-off sons lending her their aid: — "Where her warriors are fighting, as the bravest only dare, Then New Zealand shall be there In the van.
• Young New Zealand shall be there, Her rifles from the mountain and her horsemen from the plain, When the foeman's ranks are reeling o'er the slain.
Few in number, stout of heart — They will come to take their part In the dangers and the glories of the brave To share in their triumph or their bloodstained grave." The fine sonnet by the late Dean Jacobs, inspired by the ancient saying, "Greece is where the Greeks are," and culminating in the parallel thought: — " "Tis England where our English spirit dwells," breathes, as Mr Reeves says, though written forty-seven years ago, the modern spirit of "sane" Imperialism. Mr Reeves adds a compliment on the "get-up" of the volume, which, coupled with his reI mark that it is not for sale, in London, I surely conveys a hint to the publishers. i A better introduction could not bs desired than is supplied by his letter.
The deeds associated with the names of the Indian regiments whose repre:entatives will, be in .hristchurch to-night, are weu woi-m r--tt.ll.llg in detail," if wo want to understand the associations suggested by their clasps and medals. The Sikhs gave evidence of their loyalty during the Mutiny. Their name appears on almost every page of j modern Indian history. Lord Roberts nar- I rates a touching instance of the devotion of his Sikh orderlies, who kept close to him to protect him; one of them standing before him with outstretched arms to screen him from the enemy's fire. The officers visiting us include men who were present during the marches to Cabul, and to Candahar, in the Malakand.and Tirah expeditions, in the Burmese war, and at the relief of Chi'tral. On the march to Cabul the Fifth Gurkhas, including our visitor, Major Jangi Thaba, and the Fifth Punjab Infantry, represented in the present contingent by Jeuffadar Atamohammed especially distinguished themselves. They were present at the brittle of Charasia, where Earl (then Sir Frederick) Roberts found himself confronted by the whole Afghan army, strongly entrenched, his communication with India broken, his baggage and trains cut off,, and thousands of fierce fanatical peasants surrounding his army. The march to Candahar is yet more famous for the daring vrith which Roberts left his base and led an army of .0,000 through an almost unknown wilderless, where they were lost to sight for some ime, until at last they reappeared as vir.tor. iver Ayub Khan and his hitherto conquerng troops. Lockhart, in his frontier cam.aign against the Mad Mullah, had with lim the 11th Bengal Lancers, represented in he contingent by the Rissaldar, Turloksingh Bahadur. In Burmah the great task of the irmy was the pacification of an empire arger than France, covered by huge forests, md held by übiquitous and almost countess numbers of Dacoits. This war was a naze of small, but most trying, fights, but ifter upwards of 100 engagements, the task was successfully accomplished.
Some Exploits of the Indian Regiments.
The defence of Chitral, though only "a minor siege," is one of the . most thrilling incidents of military history. The country around a small detached outpost bad been "perfectly friendly, when suddenly its people rose with such fury that the Imperial force had barely time to get within the little fort of Chitral, whose rude uncemented walls were so weak that they crumbled under heavy rain. The besieged were closely hemmed in before they could even secure the outhouses and sheds. High trees completely commanded the fort, the tower was set on fire, and a mine laid. But night after night the besieged repulsed the enemy, and a brave sortie of the Sikhs and the Kashmir Infantry,still kept the foes at bay. Meanwhile, the relief party was advancing in two columns, over a country which was a maze of lofty mountains. The highest pass they had to cross was 12,000 f ee t—i_ot much lower than Mount Cook. Since the march to Candahar, this was the most brilliant, rapid, and successful campaign fought on the frontier, and the one watched with the most breathless interest. The gallant columns pushed forward over some of the most terrible country in the world, fiercely opposed by desperate tribesmen. At any hour the fort might fall, but just when its fate seemed hopeless, Sir Robert Lew arrived at the Panjkora river, bridged it, and fought a decisive battle over Umra Khan and his 9000 troops. In connection with the famous Guides, represented in the contingent, Aye cannot refrain from quoting the story of the Cabul Residency. For, although none of our Indian visitors were personally present, the deeds done by one company reflect glory on the whole regiment. After the murder of .avagnari, which lec\ to Roberts's expedition to Cabul, the Imperial forces took refuge in the Residency. There every British officer was either killed or mortally wounded, and the Afghans made repeated offers to spare the j lives of the. Indians if they would deliver up the British. But the Sikh native officer, Jemadar Jiwana Singh, of the Guides, replied by a shower of bullets, and himself kept up the defence. Then some of the cnemv, creeping, along a neighbouring roof, set fire to tha Embassy. After twelve hoursdesperate fighting, at night the building became untenable, and the little band of devoted heroes sallied forth and died to a man, fighting to the last against tremendous odds. It was afterwards found they had slain 600 men. Deeds like this, equal to any treasured in our own annals, help us to appreciate the traditions of our Indian regiments and the spirit of our Indian soldiers.
Chitral and the Cabul Residcnc;
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Bibliographic details
Press, Volume LVIII, Issue 10904, 4 March 1901, Page 4
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1,171TOPICS OF THE DAY. Press, Volume LVIII, Issue 10904, 4 March 1901, Page 4
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