Page vii

Preface by Colonel G. B. Malleson

In preparing a new, and, if I may so call it, a consolidated, edition of the History of the Indian Mutiny – that is, an edition in which Colonel Malleson’s three volumes of continuation are blended with the two initiatory volumes of Sir John Kaye – I have had to encounter few difficulties beyond those of form. By difficulties of form I mean differences of arrangement, and differences in the spelling of Indian proper names. It seemed to me absolutely essential that in both these respects the two works should be brought into complete accord. I have, therefore, met the first difficulty by substituting, in Sir John Kaye’s volumes, an initial “Table of Contents” for the chapter headings. Such a table, apart from other considerations, is more useful to a reader who may desire to refer to a particular incident. With respect to the other difference it was impossible to hesitate. The spelling of the past, based upon the impressions made upon men, ignorant of the Native languages, by the utterances of the Natives, a spelling based upon no system, and therefore absolutely fortuitous, has in these latter days given place to a spelling founded upon the actual letters which represent the places indicated. In its General Orders and in its Gazettes the Government of India of the present day adopts the enlightened system of spelling drawn up by Dr. Hunter, and this system has been adopted generally by the Indian Press, and by residents in India. Between the alternative of adhering to a barbarous system, fast dying, if not already dead, and the more enlightened system of the present and of the future, there could not be a moment’s hesitation. I have adapted, then, Sir John Kaye’s spelling of Indian proper names to one more in accordance with modern usage, and in every respect more correct. In the text, I need scarcely say, I have not changed even a comma. That text remains, in these volumes, as he wrote and published it. Some of the indices,

Page viii

the interest in which has waned, if not altogether died out, have been omitted; some have been abridged; and in one instance the salient part has been transferred to the note to which it properly belonged. Colonel Malleson’s three volumes have naturally met with far less indulgence at my hands. When these shall be published the reader will find that the severest critic of a work may be its author.

The work, when completed, will consist of Sir John Kaye’s first and second volumes and of Colonel Malleson’s three. These, with the index, will make six volumes. It is needless to discuss all the reasons why Colonel Malleson’s first volume has been preferred to Sir John Kaye’s third, for one will suffice. Kaye’s third volume would not fit in with Malleson’s second volume, as it concludes with the story of the storming of Dehli, which forms the first chapter of Malleson’s second volume, whilst it omits the relief of Lakhnao, the account of which concludes Malleson’s first volume.

I may add that on the few occasions on which I have deemed it absolutely necessary to append a note, that note bears the initials of the Editor.

G. B. M.

1st October, 1888

This collection transcribed by Chris Gage
hosted by ibiblio Support Wikipedia