insult to their faith, or would care a cowrie for the recapture of a trophy desecratod by so many centuries of close connexion with a Muhammadan mosque? It is more than doubtful whether any gates were ever carried off from Somnáth; while there is no doubt that the gates which Nott brought back to India were made much later than the eleventh century, of no wood more precious than deal or deodar.
While the armies of Nott and Pollock were marching leisurely across the Punjab, Lord Ellenborough was diligently planning out the details of such a pageant as British India had never before seen. A brilliant gathering of princes, nobles, officers of state, and English ladies awaited his arrival on the 9th of December at Firozpur. The Army of Reserve under Nicolls were encamped on the adjacent plain. From Lahore Sher Singh had sent his son and his chief minister with a suitable escort, to take part in the coming festival. Hundreds of elephants with painted trunks and gay trappings were daily trained in the manœuvres which Lord Ellenborough's theatrical fancy had devised. Triumphal arches were set up at various points; and a bridge of boats, decked out with blue, yellow, and red bunting, had been thrown across the Sutlej, leading up to a bamboo scaffolding which, with its many-hued streamers, did duty for the principal arch.
On the 17th of December Sale crossed the bridge at the head of his 'illustrious garrison,' who laughed aloud as they passed under the gaudy gallows-like
