Note 12 — HISTORICAL RECORD

Thus named after General Avitabile, one of the military instructors of the Sikhs. He was a native of Italy, and, at the conclusion of Napoleon's bright but evanescent career, sought employment in the East. Peshawur, at the period when he was elevated governor, was in a state of anarchy, but by his vigorous administration was reduced to a state of comparative security. He was handsomely rewarded by the Sovereign of the Punjaub, Runjeet Singh, for his exertions, along with another Italian officer, named Ventura, and two Frenchmen, Allard and Court, for introducing European tactics into the Sikh army. After completing his task, he returned to Europe, for the purpose of ending his days on his native soil, but at this period was still alive; and is said to have congratulated himself on the brave stand the Sikhs made, attributable in a great degree to his instructions. The other European officers, Allard, Court, and Ventura, are dead.