a future period to be of great use to the royal cause, and as is too often the case, in other revolutions as well as in that of the British kingdoms in 1660, the old attachment and sufferings of unfortunate adherents were forgotten or unrewarded; and they had the additional mortification of seeing their enemies raised to honours, to which, on the score of gratitude, they had an infinitely greater claim. Such, however, is the course of human events.
SIR EYRE COOTE,
A most illustrious general, whose warlike enterprise and political wisdom, brought so much glory to the British name, and laid the foundation of our vast East Indian empire, was the son of Chidley Coote, D.D. of Ash Hill, in the county of Limerick, and was born in 1726. At an early age he embraced the military profession, and is supposed to have been in his majesty's army at the time of the rebellion of 1745. In the beginning of the year 1754 the regiment, under Colonel Aldercorn, to which Sir Eyre belonged, embarked from Ireland for the East Indies. His name occurs in dispatches from Admiral Watson, of date 31st January, 1757, when after a warm bombardment of the forts of Calcutta, the enemy were compelled to retire, and Captain Coote of the King's troops landed and took possession. Colonel Clive, his superior officer, then took the command in this quarter, and reaped a brilliant harvest of glory. Sir Eyre, in his subordinate station, proved himself an able and brave officer, qualified to act the first part with honour and advantage, when he might have the opportunity. He assisted in taking Hughley, and Chandernagore. At the battle of Plassey, in June, when a mere handful of Europeans defeated a most numerous army of French and natives, Sir Eyre's services were such as to entitle him to a considerable share of the honour of the important victory. In July, being then a major, he was detached with a party in pursuit of M. Law, who had collected together the dispersed French;
