of British India, are never free from some tumults, local
insurrections, and sudden and almost unaccountable revolts of petty
chiefs. The year 1852 was not without events of this sort, but there
was no startling incident except a war with Birmah, which of course was
waged from India, and by the governor-general. A brief account of it
will appear most appropriately in the relation of the foreign affairs of
the empire.

The author of "The Three Presidencies" relates the political events of
interest to the English in India, with the following brief but correct
summary:--"Throughout India, with the exception of the north-western
frontier, the most profound peace has reigned. The only disturbance
which broke this complete tranquillity was the periodical incursion of
some of the hill-tribes, especially of the Momunds. Their forays
were mainly directed against the inhabitants of the villages in their
vicinity, where they frequently committed great destruction of life and
property. These marauders occupied the forces under Sir Colin Campbell
from early in January, at various periods, until quite the end of the
year, often falling upon our troops when not expected, and inflicting
considerable loss. These freebooters mustered very strong in light
horse, by the rapidity of their movements and their intimate knowledge
of every mile of the country, bade defiance to such of our troops as
were brought against them. In Scinde, the occurrence of the year was the
deposition of Ali Morad from his princedom. The plots and falsehoods of
this designing intriguer having been completely brought home to him, and
it being made clear how nefariously he had deprived both his brothers
and the British government of large tracts of territory, no time
was lost in stripping him of his ill-gotten honours and estates, and
reducing him to the rank of a simple chief. An attempt was made, during
1852, to establish an annual fair at Kurrachee, for the supply of the
great commercial marts above the Indus with European goods, and the
disposal of their produce in return."

FOREIGN AFFAIRS.--BIRMESE WAR.

The general relations of Great Britain with other nations were tranquil
during the year, although some alarms were entertained as to the
intentions of her nearest neighbour on the European continent. The
war with Birmah was, however costly and sanguinary and was the most
prominent matter of public interest in the foreign relations of the
British empir