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 The Expansion of England 339 breath, and all hopes from futurity are lost. The fever has left me ; but nothing remains of me but skin and bone. . . . The camp and followers, helpless and frightened, are like my- self, full of alarms, restless as quicksilver. Separated from their lord, they know not if they have a master or not. I brought nothing into this world, and, except the infirm- ities of man, carry nothing out. I have a dread for my sal- vation, and with what torments I may be punished. Though I have strong reliance on the mercies and bounties of God, yet, regarding my actions, fear will not quit me ; but when I am gone reflection will not remain. Come then what may, I have launched my vessel in the waves. Though Provi- dence will protect the camp, yet, regarding appearances, the endeavors of my sons are indispensable. Give my last prayers to my grandson, whom I cannot see, but the desire affects me. The Began [his daughter] appears afflicted ; but God is the only judge of hearts. The foolish thoughts of women produce nothing but disappointment. Farewell, farewell, farewell. IV. How England established her Control over India It was the cruel treatment of the English settlers at 370. The Calcutta by the officers of the subahdar at Bengal that Hole "of led Clive to hasten northward, where he gained his Calcutta (June 20, memorable victory over the subahdar at Plassey. An 1756). officer of the East India Company then in India thus describes the episode of the "Black Hole," which indi- cates the dangers to which the English merchants were subjected. The principal officer [of the nabob] commanded the pris- oners to go into one of the rooms which stood behind them along the veranda. This was the common dungeon of the garrison, who used to call it the " Black Hole." Many of the prisoners, knowing the place, began to expostulate ; upon