Annals and Antiquities of Rajasthan, or the Central and Western Rajput States of India v2.c27.s7.t5.23

v2.c27.s7.t5.23

¹ Three years ago I passed two delightful days with the conqueror of the Rajputs, in his native vale of Chambéry. It was against the *croix blanche* of Savoy, not the orange flag of the Southron, that four thousand Rajputs fell martyrs to liberty; and although I wish the Comte long life, I may regret he had lived to bring his talents and his courage to their subjugation. He did them ample justice, and when I talked of the field of Merta, the remembrance of past days flitted before him, as he said " all appeared as a dream." Distinguished by his prince, beloved by a numerous and amiable family, and honoured by his fellow-citizens, the years of the veteran, now numbering more than fourscore, glide in agreeable tranquillity in his native city, which, with oriental magnificence, he is beautifying by an entire new street and a handsome dwelling for himself. By a singular coincidence, just as I am writing this portion of my narrative I am put in possession of a *Mémoire* of his life, lately published, written under the eye of his son, the Comte Charles de Boigne. From this I extract his account of the battle of Merta. It is not to be supposed that he could then have been acquainted with the secret intrigues which were arrayed in favour of the " white cross " on this fatal day. " Les forces des Rajepoutes se composaient de trente mille cavaliers, de