and sentenced to punishment; the remainder were permitted to enjoy the benefits of timely penitence, by restoration to their commissions.
At the time that Clive was engaged in recalling the army to their duty, he had an opportunity of evincing his regard for that body, by a liberal donation for its benefit. On his arrival from England, he was informed that Meer Jaffier had bequeathed to him five lacs of rupees, which were in the hands of Munny Begum, the mother of the reigning prince. This bequest he applied to the formation of a military fund for invalid officers and soldiers, and their widows, which has been ever since, and is to this day, a source of pecuniary relief and assistance to thousands, who would have otherwise had to suffer the evils of comparative poverty.
In the month of January, 1767, Clive quitted Bengal for ever; and, in summing up his character at the termination of so distinguished a career, the eminent historian to whose labours we have been so deeply indebted in the compilation of this little volume, says, "As a soldier he was pre-eminently great. With the name of Clive commences that flood of glory which has rolled on till it has covered the wide face of India with memorials of British valour. By Clive was formed the base of the column which a succession of heroes, well worthy to follow in his steps, have carried upward to a towering height, and surrounded with trophies of honour, rich, brilliant, and countless."[1]
- ↑ Thornton's History of India.
