218 A SINDHIAN ENTERTAINMENT. 



in a most friendly manner, gave a gracious 

 greeting to all present, and then invited Mr 



I and myself into his khilwut, or private 



tent, for the purpose of discussing his own 

 affairs, as we had been separated for some 

 weeks from him. After giving me some brief 

 instructions regarding letters, we returned to 

 the durbar tent, and in a few moments break- 

 fast was placed before him. The Meer, who 

 had previously been seated on his state charpoy, 

 descended to the carpet, on which he squatted, 

 with his sons and relatives at either side and 

 in front of him. The meal appeared to be 

 both rich and substantial ; roast partridges, cut- 

 lets of the para, or hog-deer, with a variety of 

 pillaos, both sweet and savoury, formed the staple 

 of the feast. These were served partly in 

 dishes of English make, that had once been 

 plated, partly in copper dishes, such as are used 

 by the commonest natives. Each of the convives 

 helped himself and fed with his hand, for knives, 

 forks, and spoons are unknown conveniences 

 at the Khyrpoor banquets, and His Highness 

 appeared to have forgotten the use of such 

 things. In England no one could behave with 

 more propriety at table than Meer Ali Moorad, 



