"My son is _not_ in the list of killed and wounded, thank God! He
was before Delhi, having _volunteered_ thither after his escape. We
trust that he is at present safe, but every mail is pregnant with
bloody tidings, and we do not find ourselves yet in a position to
rejoice securely. What a terrible war this Indian war is! Are all
people of black blood cruel, cowardly, and treacherous? If it were a
case of great oppression on our part, I could understand and
(almost) excuse it; but it is from the _spoiled_ portion of the
Hindostanees that the revengeful mutiny has arisen. One thing is
quite clear, that whatever luxury and refinement have done for our
race (for I include Americans with English), they have not
diminished the courage and endurance and heroism for which I think
we have formerly been famous. We are the same Saxons still. There
has never been fiercer fighting than in some of the battles that
have lately taken place in India. When I look back on the old
history books, and see that _all_ history consists of little else
than the bloody feuds of nation with nation, I almost wonder that
God has not extinguished the cruel, selfish animals that we dignify
with the name of men. No--I cry forgiveness: let the women live, if
they can, without the men. I used the word 'men' only."