46 CLIMATE OF BOMBAY. 



liours, when the Meer, becoming drowsy, broke 

 ii]) the party, and all retired to their cots, though 

 I cannot say to repose, for the heat was dread- 

 ful, and the musquitoes made a hearty meal 

 on the fresh blood of the new comers. On 

 visiting the Meer during the process of his 

 morning toilet, as was my usual custom, I in- 

 quired which was the preferable climate, that 

 of Sindh or Bombay, — his answer was " Sindh 

 Behisht, een DozuJchy " Sindh is Paradise, this 

 is Hell." My o^vn after experience did not, 

 however, lead me to the like favourable opinion 

 of His Highness' countr}^. 



Lord Elphinstone, the governor of Bombay, 

 being absent from the Presidency at Mataran, 

 His Highness despatched the Hid^eem Imaum 

 ood deen, his principal officer, a most gentle- 

 manly and highly polished old man, WT.tli a com- 

 jjlimentary letter to His Lordship, who received 

 the Hukeem very graciously, and expressed his 

 regret at being unable to receive the Meer until 

 his return to Bombay, as his Bungalow at 

 Mataran did not afford accommodation for visits 

 of ceremony. On the following day the Poli- 

 tical Secretary to Government paid his respects 

 to the ]\Ieer, who appeared much gratified at the 



