1 GENERAL REFLECTIONS. 189
2 world as united by close relations, and on the best under-
3 standing with it. He seems to be now thoroughly con-
4 vinced, that its friendship, and engagements may be
5 relied upon, and there cannot be a doubt, that if ever the
6 occasion should arise, to render it necessary to make pre-
7 paration against invasion from the west, he would side
8 heartily with us, and show zeal in repelling the invader.
9 His professions, his interest, and bis inclinations, are all
10 for us at present, and he derives no little strength and
11 security, from giving it out, that he is on such terms with
12 the British nation.
13 Having thus conducted the reader,, in the foregoing
14 pages, through the gradations by which the Sikh power
15 has been raised to its present flourishing and imposing
16 condition, it remains to lay before him some insight into
17 the habits and manners peculiar to this sect, to enable
18 him to appreciate the character of the nation, and the
19 peculiar traits which distinguish it from the rest of the
20 population of Hindoostan. This has been amply done
21 to hand by Captain Murray, who has collected, in an
22 Appendix to the report he laid before Lord WiLLiAJVi
23 Bentinck, the result of his own observations, during
24 a residence of more than fifteen years amongst the Sikhs,
25 attended with hourly intercourse with individuals of all
26 classes, added to the necessity of listening, to represen-
27 tations of all descriptions, with a view to the arbitration
28 or adjustment of their disputes. Captain Murray's
29 remarks and the facts he has collected, though put toge-
30 ther without much regard to arrangement, and evidently
31 with no view to publication, are nevertheless so replete
32 with useful information and intelligence, that to withhold
33 them would be unpardonable. On the other hand, the