R. Maclagan, R.E. Proceedings, R.
G. S. 1890.
[14] This was the famous "Grey Dinner," of which The Shepherd made grim
fun in the Noctes.
[15] Probably the specimen from South America, of which an account was
published in 1833.
[16] Rawnsley, Memoir of Harvey Goodwin, Bishop of Carlisle.
[17] Biog. Sketch of Yule, by C. Trotter, Proceedings, R.S.E. vol. xvii.
[18] Biog. Sketch of Yule, by C. Trotter, Proceedings, R.S.E. vol. xvii.
[19] After leaving the army, Yule always used this sword when wearing
uniform.
[20] The Engineer cadets remained at Addiscombe a term (= 6 months) longer
than the Artillery cadets, and as the latter were ordinarily gazetted
full lieutenants six months after passing out, unfair seniority was
obviated by the Engineers receiving the same rank on passing out of
Addiscombe.
[21] Yule, in Memoir of General Becher.
[22] Collinson's Memoir of Yule in R. E. Journal.
[23] The picture was subscribed for by his brother officers in the corps,
and painted in 1880 by T. B. Wirgman. It was exhibited at the Royal
Academy in 1881. A reproduction of the artist's etching from it forms
the frontispiece of this volume.
[24] In Memoir of Gen. John Becher.
[25] General Patrick Yule (b. 1795, d. 1873) was a thorough soldier, with
the repute of being a rigid disciplinarian. He was a man of
distinguished presence, and great charm of manner to those whom he
liked, which were by no means all. The present writer holds him in
affectionate remembrance, and owes to early correspondence with him
much of the information embodied in preceding notes. He served on the
Canadian Boundary Commission of 1817, and on the Commission of
National Defence of 1859, was prominent in the Ordnance Survey, and
successively Commanding R.E. in Malta and Scotland. He was Engineer to
Sir C. Fellows' Expedition, which gave the nation the Lycian Marbles,
and while Commanding R.E. in Edinburgh, was largely instrumental in
rescuing St. Margaret's Chapel in the Castle from desecration and
oblivion. He was a thorough Scot, and never willingly tolerated the
designation N.B. on even a letter. He had cultivated tastes, and under
a somewhat austere exterior he had a most tender heart. When already
past sixty, he made a singularly happy marriage to a truly good woman,
who thoroughly appreciated him. He was the author of several Memoirs
on professional subjects. He rests in St. Andrew's, Gulane.
[26] Collinson's Memoir of Yule.
[27] Notes on the Iron of the Khasia Hills and Notes on the Khasia Hills
and People both in Journal of the R. Asiatic Society of Bengal, vols.
xi. and xiii.
[28] Mr. (afterwards Sir) George Clerk, Political Officer with the
expedition. Was twice Governor of Bombay and once Governor of the
Cape: "A diplomatist of the true English stamp - undaunted in
difficulties and resolute to maintain the honour of his country." (Sir
H. B. Edwardes, Life of Henry Lawrence, i. 267). He died in 1889.
[29] Note by Yule, communicated by him to Mr. R. B. Smith and printed by
the latter in Life of Lord Lawrence.
[30] And when nearing his own end, it was to her that his thoughts turned
most constantly.
[31] Yule and Maclagan's Memoir of Sir W. Baker.
[32] Maclagan's Memoir of Yule, P.R.G.S., Feb. 1890.
[33] On hearing this, Yule said to him, "Your story is quite correct
except in one particular; you understated the amount of the fine."
[34] Yule and Maclagan's Memoir of Baker.
[35] It would appear that Major Yule had presented the Rodgers with some
specimens of Indian scissors, probably as suggestions in developing
that field of export. Scissors of elaborate design, usually damascened
or gilt, used to form a most important item in every set of Oriental
writing implements. Even long after adhesive envelopes had become
common in European Turkey, their use was considered over familiar, if
not actually disrespectful, for formal letters, and there was a
particular traditional knack in cutting and folding the special
envelope for each missive, which was included in the instruction given
by every competent Khoja as the present writer well remembers in the
quiet years that ended with the disasters of 1877.
[36] Collinson's Memoir of Yule, Royal Engineer Journal.
[37] Extract from Preface to Ava, edition of 1858.
[38] The present whereabouts of this picture is unknown to the writer. It
was lent to Yule in 1889 by Lord Dalhousie's surviving daughter (for
whom he had strong regard and much sympathy), and was returned to her
early in 1890, but is not named in the catalogue of Lady Susan's
effects, sold at Edinburgh in 1898 after her death. At that sale the
present writer had the satisfaction of securing for reverent
preservation the watch used throughout his career by the great
Marquess.
[39] Now in the writer's possession. It was for many years on exhibition
in the Edinburgh and South Kensington Museums.
[40] Article by Yule on Lord Lawrence, Quarterly Review for April, 1883.
[41] Messrs. Smith & Elder.
[42] Preface to Narrative of a Mission to the Court of Ava. Before these
words were written, Yule had had the sorrow of losing his elder
brother Robert, who had fallen in action before Delhi (19th June,
1857), whilst in command of his regiment, the 9th Lancers. Robert
Abercromby Yule (born 1817) was a very noble character and a fine
soldier. He had served with distinction in the campaigns in
Afghanistan and the Sikh Wars, and was the author of an excellent
brief treatise on Cavalry Tactics. He had a ready pencil and a happy
turn for graceful verse. In prose his charming little allegorical tale
for children, entitled The White Rhododendron, is as pure and
graceful as the flower whose name it bears. Like both his brothers, he
was at once chivalrous and devout, modest, impulsive, and impetuous.
No officer was more beloved by his men than Robert Yule, and when some
one met them carrying back his covered body from the field and
enquired of the sergeant:
