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Does anyone remember the British General who was seconded to India during the Victorian era and who was greeted by a local dignitary who tried to explain that they would be building a huge burial pyre to cremate the remains of a wealthy man. Trying to soften the impact of the corresponding ritual of throwing the surviving wife on the pyre with him, he said that the General must understand the customs of the land.

So the story goes, the General immediately gathered his troops and had them start on a gallows. The morning of the funeral, the General supposedly said, “We British have a charming little custom of our own. Immediately after the wife of the deceased has been thrown on the fire, we will hang those responsible.” I gather it had immediate impact. Even if it isn't true — that's the kind of strength of character (and sense of humor) I'm looking for.

I love that story, but can't think of the General's name.