Page:Clyde and Strathnairn.djvu/177

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and were soon afterwards adopted at all places garrisoned by the British Army at home and abroad.

While paying attention to the British portion of the army in India, Sir Hugh Rose did not forget the Native regiments; some of which, and particularly the Native Irregular Cavalry, are now second to no troops in the world for discipline, efficiency, and good conduct. It was his constant endeavour to make the army of India not only effective as a fighting machine, but perfect in interior economy and discipline.

In April, 1865, after five years' tenure of the post. Sir Hugh Rose relinquished the chief command, amidst much regret and many valued expressions of goodwill on the part both of officers and men. One of the most gratifying tokens of this feeling was given at a farewell entertainment at Simla, on September 27th, 1864, when Sir Robert Napier (the late Lord Napier of Magdala), for whom Sir Hugh had a warm admiration and regard, said: 'Never has the army of India had a chief more earnestly solicitous to ensure its efficiency than Sir Hugh Rose; never, I believe, has the army of India been in a more efficient condition than it is at the present moment; never has the army of India had a chief whom it would have followed to the field, against a foe worthy of it, with fuller confidence of success than this army would feel under its present Commander-in-Chief.'

On his arrival in England, Sir Hugh Rose was appointed by the Duke of Cambridge to be Commander of the forces in Ireland. The Times of the day (May 22,