y field for the young who had no other fortune than their talents
and enterprise. To India, accordingly, Mr Hume went, and entered as a
surgeon the naval service of the East India Company. He had not been
there three years, before he was placed on the medical establishment of
Bengal. Here, while increasing his professional reputation, he had the
opportunity of watching the whole operation of the machinery of the
Company's service. His quick eye soon detected the deficiencies of the
greater number of the Company's servants in command of the native
language, an acquirement so valuable in possessions such as ours. He
determined to acquire a knowledge of the dialects of India, not doubting
that a sphere of larger utility and greater emolument would open before
his efforts. The Mahratta war breaking out in 1803, Mr Hume was attached
to Major-general Powell's division, and accompanied it on its march from
Allahabad into Bundelcund. The want of interpreters was now felt, as
Hume had expected, and the commander was glad to find among his surgeons
a man capable of supplying the deficiency. He continued to discharge his
new duties without resigning his medical appointment, and managed to
combine with both the offices of pay-master and post-master of the
troops. His ability to hold direct intercourse with the natives
continued to be of immense service to him, and enabled him to hold
simultaneously a number of offices with most varied duties, such as
nothing but an unwearying frame and an extraordinary capacity could have
enabled any one person to discharge. At the conclusion of the peace, he
returned to the presidency, richer by many golden speculations, for
which a period of war never fails to offer opportunities. In 1808,
having accomplished the object for which he left his native land, he
came to England, and, after an interval of repose, determined upon
making a tour of the country, the better to acquaint himself with the
condition of its inhabitants.' After making this tour, and visiting
various continental countries, he returned to England, where he devoted
himself to a political career; and since 1812, he has for the most part
had a seat in the House of Commons. His parliamentary history since 1818
has been that of a reformer of abuses and enemy of monopoly, and he is
respected even by those who differ from him in opinion.

Our next specimen is--

'Thackeray, William Makepeace, author, was born in India, in 1811. He is
of