Page:Viscount Hardinge and the Advance of the British Dominions into the Punjab.djvu/55

 CHAPTER IV

The Voyage to India

1844

One of the characteristics of Sir H. Hardinge was a resolution to carry through without delay whatever duty devolved upon him. Having therefore arranged to proceed at once to Calcutta viâ Marseilles and the Mediterranean, he left England on the 12th of June, 1844. Crossing the Channel, he reached Paris and Orleans on the same day. At Orleans, as in those days the railway was unfinished, a travelling carriage was hired, and the rest of the journey was accomplished enposte without a halt as far as Marseilles.

Here his party, which included Colonel Wood, A.D.C., and the present writer, embarked on board H.M. S. 'Geyser,' which was waiting in the harbour. After a voyage of eight days on the smooth waters of the Mediterranean, the low shore and palm-trees of Alexandria hove in sight. On disembarking, the usual hubbub of Arabs and donkey boys assailed us. We were compelled to force our way through the crowd, in order to reach the hotel. It was Sunday, and with that observance of the day which he never omitted, Sir K. Hardinge attended service at the small Protestant church in the town.