108 Lieut. -Colonel Bniacs' Memoir of the early Life of Nana Famevis. 



destroy his bad propensities, and acquire a disposition to rivet his affections 

 in contemplating the Deity. 



It was with this intention he withdrew from the world at the early age of 

 seventeen, to Toka on the Godaveri, and in prosecution of the same object, 

 that he accompanied the army to the north in order to obtain an opportunity 

 of visiting the classic ground of the demi-god Crishna. There is a sim- 

 plicity and a strain of elegance pervading this part of his history which is 

 singularly beautiful. He visits every spot described in the legend of the 

 tenth canto of the Bliagavat (in which is to be found the history of 

 Crishna), with a fervour very uncommon in persons of his age. The 

 reflections he makes on every object he sees, and the fancied renovation 

 of health and spirits in the abode of the deity, together with the pious 

 enthusiasm he devotes to the performance of every part of his pilgrimage, 

 are more calculated to convey to one's mind the fervent zeal of one of the 

 ancients visiting the ruins of Athens or Thebes, than the picture of 

 a Hindu, to whom we are not disposed to allow the possession of the 

 quality oftaste, which pervades the whole of Nana's narrative of this holy 

 journey. 



From this task he is hurried into the field of battle, where his feelings 

 evidently partake more of the man of sentiment than of the hero ; and we 

 cannot but admire the beautiful apostrophe the Brahmin boy makes on the 

 vain reliance to be placed on the fidelity of courtiers or princes, who had so 

 often pledged themselves to die with their leader, but who so abandoned 

 him on the day of trial that it was never known how or where he fell. The 

 dangers which attended Nana Farnevis personally when he fled from the 

 field of battle, and the manner in which he escaped, are well described ; 

 and without being intended to produce effect (for scarcely any person knew 

 of this little piece of autobiography before it fell into my hands) afford us 

 a simple but lively representation of the scene, as well as of the domestic 

 habits and customs of his countrymen. 



In conclusion, I trust that this small specimen of the talents of Nana 

 Farnevis will excite considerable curiosity ; and I cannot help thinking that 

 an account of his private life, which I contemplate publishing, will prove 

 an interesting and valuable work. 



