264 RIFLE AXD SPEAR WITH THE RAJPOOTS. 



consider sufficient. These identical coins are dissolved and 

 used for the electro-plating. 



Mr. "Zafir" is a nice simple old Brahman, and informs 

 us that he calls himself by this pseudonym " because that 

 pretty name," his real one being quite different. He talks 

 English indifferently, but his younger brother, who is also 

 his partner, converses with ease and volubility. We were 

 returning to the hotel for luncheon, but Zafir begged us to 

 stay and try some native dishes for tiffin, whilst the 

 genuine old armour is being got out for our inspection. 

 The brother added, patronisingly, " I hope you will stop. 

 All the lords and dukes have tiffin with us." His elder 

 interrupted mildly, " No, it was only an archduke." 



The younger brother is a most superior person, and 

 tells us he was a long time in England pushing the sale of 

 his goods. According to his account, he met everybody of 

 any consideration. The Prince of Wales he of course 

 places first. Next to His Royal Highness he puts Mr. 

 Whiteley, the " Universal Provider." "They were both," he 

 adds, " most kind to me." 



He regrets extremely his brother's " bad manners." He 

 ought not to say to ladies " See this," but " Madam, deign 

 to glance at this article " ; nor " Take a chair," but " Con- 

 descend, miss, to be seated," like "in English shops." 



These two merchants are high-caste Brahmans, and touch 

 no meat of any kind — fish, flesh, or fowl. So we were 



