hy the Engli/h in Bengal. 325 



proceed to the affault, the villagers all the while ftanding 

 aloof. If conduced deliberately, with circutTifpedion, and 

 with the aid of the fcpovs, they foon accomplifli their pur- 

 pofe, and bring in the moft dreadful and formidable of all 

 tremendous beafts, amidft the homage and acclamations of 

 the peafantry. But fhould they lofe their prefeuce of mind, 

 prolong or precipitate the conflict, aft with incaution, or at- 

 tack the exafperated infuriated favage with tumult and con- 

 fufion, the event is often fatal, by his feizing, lacerating, and 

 crufliing, every creature within his reach ; nor ceafing to rend, 

 tear, claw, and dellroy, to the verv moment of his de(tru6lion, 

 or of his flight. 



Sometimes do the natives entreat the gentlemen to rid 

 them of wild buffaloes, (the largeftof all known animals, the 

 elephant excepted,) that have laid wafte their cultivation ; 

 and at others, to clear their vaft tanks, or fmall neighbouring 

 lakes, of alligators, which devour their fi(h, or do mifchief on 

 fhore. So much hazard is not incurred, however, by achieve- 

 ments of this fort, as from the encounter of a liger; for though 

 the hides of thofc creatures refilt a ball from a firelock at 

 common muflcet diftance, they are by no means impenetra- 

 ble to fliot from a rifle, or other pieced with a chamber, or of 

 a wider calibre. 



A drum, with a banner difplayed from the hall-tent, gives 

 fignals to the company for their meats. 



Breakfaft is a moft delightful rcpall : the fpnrtfmen return 

 keen, frefli, ruddy, and voracious : and the appearance of the 

 ladies in fimple loofe attire, the elegant dithabille of cleareft 

 muflin with plain floating ribbons, and diflievelled trefles, 

 captivate to fafcination. Nor is the palate lefs gratified: 

 Englith, French, Italian, and Dutch viands, all combine to 

 provoke it, by a profufion of cold vijilLials, failed and dried 

 meats and filli, hams, tongues, faufages, huno;-beef, fallads, 

 chocolate, coflce, tea, frclh milk, prefervcs, i'ruit, and eggs, 

 rendered ftill more grateful by the moft I'priglitly chterfulnefs 

 and Auroral gaiety. 



After breakfaft, convevances of different forts are prepared 

 for an airing, not merely for the fake of airing only, but to 

 view fome natural or artificial ruriofitv or manufacture ; lome 

 noted town, diitinguiflicd mo((|U(;, celebrafeil pagoda, re- 

 nowned dirgah, or venerable maufoleum ; lome confecrated 

 grove, the fequeftered refidence of fakeern, or lome extcnfive 

 profpcft from the lumniit of rucrL'ed cliffs, impending over 

 an cxpanle of water, bordering pc'rh;«ps a level lawn, whole 

 verdure is vaulted onlv, not cf)neea'fd, Ijy a didiilcd nlfem- 

 blagc uf ftately coluiiiiiiated palms nf four dill'crent fpecics, 

 X 3 tufted 



