129 CHAPTER I. 1856-1857. Appointment to command of Persian Expedition-Arrival at Bushahr—March to Barazján-Battle of Khush-áb-Operations on the Kárún River-Rout of Persian Army-Return to Bombay. 6 SIR JAMES OUTRAM appears to have derived benefit from his residence at the seaside, for he writes to Mrs. Outram, at the beginning of November, that he is satisfied' his complaint has left him; that the air of Brighton quite invigorates' him; and that she will scarcely know' him again. He had then just been tempted by the fine weather to take a run across the Channel to Havre, touching at Portsmouth and Southampton. His prospective engagements were to go to town with Colonel Sykes to attend the Lord Mayor's dinner,' and, after a week in London, to revisit his mother in Scotland for ten days, returning to take a hurried leave of many friends at their residences here and there in England. Three days after the Guildhall festival-this year held on Monday the 10th-he wrote to Mrs. Outram that an extraordinary change' had occurred in his destiny which compelled him to return to India within a week, and were it not that it prevented his fulfilment of the purposed Scotch visit, he should have every reason to rejoice in his good fortune.' The following extract explains the matter: 'On my return from calling on Lady Eastlake this afternoon, I found that a messenger from the President of the India Board had been waiting nearly two hours with a note from Colonel Sykes requesting my immediate attendance at the India Board. When I got there, Mr. Vernon Smith and the Chairs of the Court of Directors were in conclave. Mr. Smith then informed me that it had been decided in the Cabinet yesterday that I was to be offered the command of the army which had gone from Bombay to Persia, with diplomatic powers and the rank of Lieutenant-General. I expressed of course my readiness and gratification; and was told that I should be required to go by the first mail if I possibly could, which I declared myself ready to do.' Although prior to this intimation of the proffered honour, the coming event may have cast but an uncertain shadow before him, it is not improbable that Outram may have been sounded on the subject; and there is strong reason to believe that the 'invigorating air' of Brighton had been materially assisted in working his sudden and complete recovery by an intuitive sense of impending employment. Indeed, he had written to Lord Canning from his Sussex sanitarium, expressing his intention of immediate return to India, ‘having perfectly recovered from the illness' which had driven him home. At the same time he had thus confessed how he himself had smoothed the way to the offer which afterwards met him: In the supposition that I may be more usefully employed with the army about to proceed to Persia, than necessary to your lordship in Oude, where everything is progressing so satisfactorily, I have offered my services to the President, should it be deemed advisable to entrust to me diplomatic powers in conjunction with the military command; and I believe that, should your lordship be disposed so to The story, as related by Mr. Stuart Poole, is that, on the determination of Government to declare war against Persia, Colonel Sykes, then an East India Director, went to Outram, who was lying ill at Brighton. 'I am glad to see you,' said the sick man, 'for it may be the last time.' 'I am sorry for that,' replied the Colonel, for I had come to tell you that we had decided to offer you command of the expedition against Persia.' 'What! Persia?' exclaimed Outram, I'll go to-morrow.' -1857 AGAIN OUTWARD-BOUND. 131 employ me, the Home authorities would probably not object. In that case, your lordship's orders would meet me at Aden, whence I would at once proceed to Bombay.' A satisfactory interview with Lord Clarendon followed the acceptance of a post which could not be otherwise than tempting to an officer of rank, and a soldier by nature as by profession. One week later, his letter to Scotland was dated from off Gibraltar; and four days later still, from off Malta. He spoke in glowing terms of the ship's arrangements and fare, as well as of the society in which he was suddenly thrown. The 120 passengers on board were described as 'an agreeable set;' and, notwithstanding the large number, they were not at all crowded.' Beautiful weather and calm seas had combined to make it appear one of the pleasantest voyages' he could recall. I continue,' he added, 'free from any return, or symptoms of return, of rheumatism; and I never felt better or stronger in my life quite equal to any campaign.' They were not to await, according to custom, the arrival of the Marseilles mail at Malta, but to push on at once to Alexandria; so that the warm clothing which they were conveying for the troops employed in the Persian expedition might reach Suez in time to accompany the outward-going letters. Leaving Sir James Outram well on his way to Bombay, whence he was to re-embark for the purpose of taking up command of the forces in the field, we will briefly revert to the circumstances of the dispute which had terminated in England's declaration of war against Persia. At the end of 1855, our relations with the Court of Tehran were anything but satisfactory. Even the outward semblance of civility towards the English representative was disregarded, and, in like manner, the veneer of courtesy was wanting in the official communications bearing the sign-manual of the Shah or his responsible minister. So great was the tension of ill-feeling occasioned, that our Envoy withdrew to Baghdad, |