Page:McCosh, John - Advice to Officers in India (1856).djvu/60

 upon himself and family. In no country are the advantages of female society more appreciable than in India, for much time is necessarily spent at home which, without a companion, would be dull and lonely; and with a wife and family all that could be desired. But, with more ample resources than his pay, not one young officer in a hundred can live (free from debt), as he and his wife would wish to live. Let him, therefore, reserve his hand till after he has been some years in the country, till he has secured himself some staff appointment equal to the support of the matrimonial state. Even then there are many drawbacks to married life peculiar to India. The children are obliged to be sent to England before they are eight years of age, as few thrive well after that age. The parents are bereft of their offspring at a time when they were most dear and interesting, and they may not see them again till they are bearded men and maidens fair, with many of the paternal ties loosened or broken,and mutually unknown to one another on their reunion.

Should the mother fall sick, she too must be sent to England, leaving the father in a state of widowhood, and unavoidably involved in expenses which almost no young officer can afford.

7.EMBARKATION.—The day of embarkation is an eventful one in the career of all men, and to