(2) Q. What possessions in Europe have English sovereigns held? How have such possessions influenced English History?
A. India is a possession that makes a great deal of difference or will do to English History. The late Q. Victoria was made Empress of India. It is a very large country and not a very healthy one. The natives do not produce enough food in their own country and very often they have a famine there. About 3 years ago they had a famine there and the English people sent out a lot of food for them.
(Note: She has written seventy-seven words without approaching Europe.)
Other strange customs and beliefs were noted annually. It was not thought correct in geography, or in history, to mention India without referring to the Black Hole of Calcutta: and indeed this popular incident might be introduced anywhere on an emergency. Here are some instances:
(1) By the treaty of Utrecht the English gained a good many battles. They gained the entry through the Mediterranean sea, and also opened trade to the Americans. These battles were mostly all won by Bute viz. The battles of Vicissico, Maschuerits, Passaro and Vico Vosa. The former being assisted by Marlborough who was one of the chief persuaders of Queen Anne 1702. Bute though he tried his utmost to make things successful he was hung by the vengence of the people. The previous wars led to the Indian Mutiny where a great many of our soldiers were ill-treated (known as the Blackhole affair at Calcutta). This affair proving successful now was very sad at first.
(2) The Crimean war took place in 1704. In this war there were thousands of them killed but the victory rested with the English. The people were put into prison or the Black Hole as it was called and then they were left to die. The heat of the day was so great and there was no place to let air in, therefore they became romantic with thirst and died in the morning only 27 remained alive.
(3) Q. What is the Mutiny Act?
A. The Mutiny Act was an Act passed by the Government in 1857 to put an end to the atrocious crimes that were being carried on in India. It was during this year that 186 persons were confined in the Black Hole of Calcutta.
This method of learning history not only blends wars, disasters, and centuries: it compounds and confounds men. Wellington and Nelson unite to make one heroic figure, and at times borrow traits from others:
(1) The Duke of Wellington most of the Irishmen claim him as one of their nationality, he was able to lead the whole of the British army into Hyde Park, and lead them out of it again, he won many battles by sea and in the last and greatest of these the Great Duke fell, some of his officers wishing him not to dress in his uniform on this occasion his last words were Thank God I have done my duty. He was carried by his men from the post of duty in their arms to the cabin below.