How much I like the description of the visionary life the old man led, lying idly on the shore and gazing on the clouds! It brought to memory the happy days I formerly passed on the western shore of Hampshire, seeing or fancying the most beautiful visions in the clouds, whilst I listened to the sweet monotony of the waves—
"I may not muse—I must not dream—
Too beautiful those visions seem
For earth or mortal man; but when
Shall by-past times come back again?"
Women have more influence over men in India than in any other country. All out-door amusements are nearly denied to the latter by the climate, unless before sun-rise or after sun-set; therefore the whole time of military men, generally speaking, is spent in the house, devoted either to music or drawing, which of course they prefer in the society of ladies, or in the study of the languages, or in gaming. The young officers at this station play exceedingly high, ruinously so—two guinea points at short whist, and 100 guineas on the rubber, is not unusual amongst the young men.
Happily the gentlemen in the Civil Service have too much employment to admit of their devoting their time to gambling.
If you ask a native—"Where is your master gone?" if the gentleman be from home, you are sure to receive the answer—"Howā khānā-ke-wāste" (to eat the air); this chamelion-like propensity of eating the air is always the object during the early morning ride and the evening drive.
Our servants at present only amount to fifty-four, and I find it quite difficult enough to keep them in order; they quarrel amongst themselves, and when they become quite outrageous, they demand their discharge.
My ayha and the ābdār had a laughable quarrel. She was making herself a pair of Europe Chintz pajamas (trousers) such as they usually wear, made very full round the body, and quite tight from the knee to the ancle.
Musulmāne women never wear a petticoat when amongst
