Political and Social Movements in Dalkeith from 1831 to 1882 (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1882. Excerpt: ... 1857. between freedom and tyranny. He did not want Great Britain to fight the battle of freedom for Italy; by her own right arm must she conquer her independence, or she would be unworthy of it. But if Britain lent no help to the oppressed, let her at least insist that other nations should give as little assistance to the oppressor. Mr. Porteous moved that a petition should be presented to the House of Commons on behalf of Italy. The proposal was seconded by Mr. W. P. Anderson. On the motion of Mr. George Gray, seconded by Dr. Joseph Brown, a cordial vote of thanks was given to the lecturer. ndian There is no more painful chapter in British history than Fund. that which relates to the Indian Mutiny of 1857. The mutiny, it is believed, was mainly the result of a widespread and growing disaffection among the Sepoy regiments of our military forces there, and which was encouraged and strengthened at the time by the removal of a large portion of the English force from India to be employed in the Chinese War. The immediate occasion of the outbreak, however, was the introduction into the Indian army of an improved rifle, which was loaded with greased cartridges, the end of which had to be bitten off by the soldiers making use of them; and the native soldiers, believing the grease to have been made from the fat of cows and pigs, --animals which they held in abomination, and could not taste without losing caste, --positively refused to touch the cartridges. The result was a rebellion of a most alarming character, and a long series of outrages by the native troops of the most savage and revolting nature, perpetrated on our countrymen and countrywomen of all ranks and ages, and the recital of which in this country produced, as was natural, feelings of intense indignat.