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LETTERS FROM INDIA.
33

the embroiderers dawdle over their work, and put too much wine into the seltzer-water. I really can’t what you call “form” a new servant. I will have my chobdar’ (that is the next in command) ‘for the new jemadar.’—‘No, I think not; he is not of the proper class—not authority enough, and he cannot wait at table.—‘ Then I will have one of my own kitmutgars.’—‘ No; they do not speak English. I have one or two men in my eye whom I have always wished to put on the Government House establishment; they speak good English and you can teach them to be good servants, and it is a great advantage to all succeeding Governors-General to find these kind of men in the house.’ That was the unkindest cut of all. I do not the least care about the comfort of the future Governor-General’s lady, and Major —— is always looking at the establishment in that general point of view. You, who only see Mr. Gooby or James when you ring for them and are happy in a climate which enables you to pick up your own pocket-handkerchief and cut your own pencil, and where you can speak without an interpreter—you cannot imagine how utterly our comfort depends on the tact of