Page:Final French Struggles in India and on the Indian Seas.djvu/191

Rh Shortly after this de Boigne quitted the English service. Various reasons have been assigned for this step. But he himself undoubtedly stated the truth when he affirmed that in a service of progressive promotion there was, at his age, no chance of his ever attaining to high command. He resolved, therefore, to return to Europe by way of Káshmir, Afghánistán, and Persia.

With this object in view he came round to Calcutta and presented to Warren Hastings Lord Percy's letter and one with which he had been provided by Lord Macartney. That illustrious statesman gave him a warm and cordial reception; entirely approved of his design to return to Europe by the route he had indicated; and furnished him with letters to the British residents at the various native courts he would be likely to visit en route, as well as to the independent native princes in alliance with the British Government.

At Lakhnao, the first city which he visited on his travels, de Boigne was extremely well received by the Nawáb, to whom he had been presented by the resident. Not only was a khilat of the value of 4000 rupees bestowed upon him, but the Nawáb presented him likewise with a bill on the bankers of Kábal for 6000 rupees, and another for an equal amount on those of Kándahár. At Lakhnao de Boigne remained