In 1835 his health again broke down, and he was obliged to take leave on medical certificate.

Accompanied by his wife and little son, he went into camp in November, 1835, and marched through the Jabalpur, Damoh, and Sagar districts of the Agency, and then through the Native States of Orchha, Datiya, and Gwalior, arriving at Agra on the 1st January, 1836.

After a brief halt at Agra, he proceeded through the Bharatpur State to Delhi and Meerut, and thence on leave to Simla.

During his march from Jabalpur to Meerut he amused himself by keeping the journal which forms the basis of the _Rambles and Recollections of an Indian Official_.

The manuscript of this work (except the two supplementary chapters) was completed in 1839, though not given to the world till 1844.