Memoirs of My Indian Career (Volume 2) (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos, missing text or index. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. 1893. Not illustrated. Excerpt: ... CHAPTER XI Furlough--1868-69-70 When I came home in the summer of 1868 I found my family in London, and soon after we went down to Scotland, and occupied Edenwood, where I set ahout country pursuits. My youngest son was born there in that year. 1 very soon went into politics, too. Ever since the first Reform Bill, Fife has been a very Liberal county, but it took some time to convert the upper classes. Great progress had been made in that way since my youth. A great many lairds, the sons of Tory fathers, were now good Liberals, though perhaps somewhat of the old Whig persuasion. In fact, at that time Liberalism was rather fashionable among them. Still, among the more popular element of the electorate, there was a feeling that the management of affairs had fallen too much into the hands of a Whiggish clique of the lauded gentry. There were some signs of a mutinous spirit, and it was thought desirable to introduce some new blood. It was arranged that the late Admiral Bethune of Balfour should retire from the Chairmanship of the Fife Liberal Committee, and I was, very unexpectedly to myself, suddenly put in his place as chairman of that committee at a time when, owing to long absence, I knew very little of local politics. Sir Robert Anstruther was then the sitting member, and I felt bound to support him, both as a good Liberal and as a man whom I personally liked, so I accepted the function. In truth, however, my position as Chairman of the Liberal Committee turned out to be little more than nominal. I wanted a seat for myself in Parliament. A general election was then imminent. I had been in correspondence with the Liberal leaders, and I was proposed for Dumbartonshire, on the other side of Scotland, but then thought to be one of the most likely places for a Libera...