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 CHAPTER XII

Retiring by way of Kábul

The new Governor-General, Lord Ellenborough, had already given promise of great achievements in the public service. The clever and accomplished son of an eminent Chief Justice, he had gained some useful experience of Indian affairs at the Board of Control in 1828-30. For some years past he had spoken with force and knowledge on Indian topics in the House of Lords. When Peel returned to power in the autumn of 1841, Lord Ellenborough resumed his seat at the Board of Control. In common with his colleagues he had no love for Auckland's foreign policy; and he went out to India full of those praiseworthy purposes which had been declared by each new Governor-General in turn at the farewell dinner given him by the Court of Directors. His reputation for energy and firmness had gone out before him, and his arrival in Calcutta was hailed by our countrymen as the dawning of a brighter day for all India.

From the 3rd to the 12th of March Lord Auckland and his sisters remained as guests of Auckland's successor in Government House. The retiring Governor,