1876-1878 Lord Lytton becomes Viceroy--Difficulties with Sher Ali -- Imperial assemblage at Delhi--Reception of the Ruling Chiefs -- Queen proclaimed Empress of India -- Political importance of the assemblage -- Sher Ali proclaims a 'Jahad'-- A journey under difficulties With a new Commander-in-Chief came a new Viceroy, and it was while we were in Bombay seeing the last of Lord Napier that the _Orontes_ steamed into the harbour with Lord Lytton on board.

Little did I imagine when making Lord Lytton's acquaintance how much he would have to say to my future career.
His Excellency received me very kindly, telling me he felt that I was not altogether a stranger, as he had been reading during the voyage a paper I had written for Lord Napier, a year or two before, on our military position in India, and the arrangements that would be necessary in the event of Russia attempting to continue her advance south of the Oxus.

Lord Napier had sent a copy of this memorandum to Lord Beaconsfield, by whom it had been given to Lord Lytton.
[Illustration: FIELD-MARSHAL LORD NAPIER OF MAGDALA, G.C.B., G.C.S.I.
_From a photograph by Messrs.

Maull and Fox._] During the summer of 1876 our frontier policy was frequently under discussion.

Sir Bartle Frere wrote two very strong letters after the Conservative Government came into power in 1874, drawing attention to the danger of our being satisfied with a policy of aloofness, and pointing out the necessity for coming into closer relations with the Amir of Afghanistan and the Khan of Khelat.