Page:Viscount Hardinge and the Advance of the British Dominions into the Punjab.djvu/11

 PREFACE

The following pages are a simple narrative of the principal incidents in the career of one of the 'Rulers of India,' a career marked by eventful scenes in both European and Oriental history. The narrative is based on public documents, family papers, and letters of Lord Hardinge, written immediately after the events they describe — some of them almost on the field of battle. I have ventured to add some personal recollections of the period when I was his Private Secretary in India. But I feel that the words which his own pen indited portray his character better than descriptions and arguments by another hand. It has been my special aim to throw light upon those matters to which my Father himself attached importance, and concerning which his desire was that they should, after due lapse of time, become publicly known.

With regard to the literary arrangement of the work, I have to acknowledge the assistance of Mr. J. S. Cotton, which has been of great value.

HARDINGE.

South Park, Penshurst, March, 1891