Page:The Lucknow album 1874 by Darogha Ubbas Alli.djvu/50

 on the occasion of the last and most desperate general assault made on the entire entrenchment. It was here that the gallant Lieutenant Fulton, of the Engineers, alter braving the dangers and privations of the siege, almost to the end, after working mine and countermine, to the surprise and consternation of the enemy, for months, was shot through the head, whilst reconnoitering the enemy's positions. It was here too that Major Banks the Commissioner, whom Sir Henry Lawrence on his death-bed, had nominated as his successor, was shot through the head, before he had been many days in the position assigned him ; a position for which opinion was unanimous that he was admirably fitted. Here also, Mr. Cameron, a Calcutta merchant, sank under exhaustion caused by excessive hard work at the batteries. Dr. Brison also, who had escaped all the horrors of the Cabul massacre and the dangers of the Khyber Pass, was mortally wounded by a shot through the back received while sitting at dinner at Mr. Grubbins' table. Mrs. Dorin, widow of Captain Dorin, of the 41st, who was murdered by the mutineers at Seetapore ; had made her escape to Lucknow disguised as an ayah, was killed by a round shot, whilst in bed in Mr. Grubbins' house. Poor Mr. Grubbins himself survived the horrors of the siege only to meet a more melancholy fate ; the unfortunate gentleman put an end to his own life whilst in a state of temporary insanity : such was the stern decree of fate, to which all must yield. Martin Gubbins has, however, left behind him a deathless memorial in the best written and most authoritative work on the " Mutinies of Oudh," in which the siege of Lucknow is graphically described. The book, will, as ages pass in succession, like the epic history of the siege of Troy, which long lay neglected, be read with increasing interest and excitement.

Turning to the right, from Gubbins' house ; in full view stand the ruins of the " Old Residency," in all the melancholy grandeur of a once magnificent mansion, in all the