Page:Blackwood's Magazine volume 137.djvu/526

522 == REMINISCENCES OF SIR HERBERT STEWART. ==

BY A BROTHER OFFICER.

" is the best youngster I ever saw join a regiment," was the observation made by a popular officer of some standing in the service, shortly after Herbert Stewart joined the army. That this opinion was well deserved has been proved by the late Sir Herbert's short but brilliant career, the fatal ending of which, all who knew him and served with him do now so deeply deplore. A few reminiscences of his life, by one who had the privilege of his intimate friendship, may be interesting at the present time, while his memory is still fresh, and the circumstances amid which he met his death are still so engrossing men's minds.

Herbert Stewart was gazetted ensign in the 37th Regiment, now the First Battalion of the Hampshire, in 1863. In the beginning of 1864 he joined at Aldershot, bringing with him the reputation (not an unimportant one in a good old English regiment) of having been captain of the eleven at Winchester School. The 37th were devoted to cricket, and the new subaltern proved an immense acquisition to the regimental team; he will be long remembered among cricketers as one of the best amateur wicket-keepers in England. With his valuable assistance, the regimental eleven of the old 37th was for many years hard to beat.

As a youngster, Stewart was never one of those who took pleasure in midnight orgies or practical jokes amusements sometimes too much in vogue among young officers – but on festive occasions he preferred the whist-table or the billiard-room, where he always ranked much above the average player.

At Dover, whence the regiment proceeded from Aldershot, Stewart mainly distinguished himself at cricket and boating. In the regimental six-oar no man pulled a better stroke. He possessed in great perfection that ready co-operation of hand and eye so essential to success in all manly sports. Some of the older members of the Dover Club must still recollect his skill at billiards – his brilliant winning hazards at pool. This may seem a trifling matter; but Stewart's play indicated that swift judgment, quick decision, and imperturbable temper which so distinguished his after-career – the success of which was predicted by those who knew him well.

Promotion was exceptionally rapid in the 37th Regiment at the time of which I write – many subalterns getting their companies after less than four years' service. Stewart was promoted to Lieutenant in 1865, and selected for the Adjutancy in 1866.

From Dover the regiment was sent to Ireland, where it spent a short year in various stations; and officers who were then quartered in that country must still remember Stewart's feats in cricket-matches at the Curragh, Cork, and Fermoy.

In July 1866 the headquarters of the 37th, with Stewart as Adjutant, embarked at Queenstown in "the good ship Blenheim," bound for Calcutta. Good ship, however, proved a misnomer in this case, as the vessel grounded on the sandbanks at the mouth of the Hooghly, where she narrowly escaped ship-