GKAND ENTERTAINMENT. 145 



which is the custom of the country ; in fact, 

 from twelve till two o'clock daily all Sindh 

 may be assumed to be asleep. In the evening 

 we took a short ride, and when night closed in, 

 the court-yard, after being sprinkled to lay the 

 dust, was spread with carpets and well lighted, 

 and a very fine nautch we had, the best artistes 

 from Roree and Khyrpoor being collected for 

 the purpose. 



Amongst the guests was the Mooktyar 

 Kar, Hote Singh, who was invited from 

 policy, not affection, I imagine, as his ar- 

 rogance has rendered him the pet aversion 

 of both princes : he has, however, so much 

 influence over Meer Ali Moorad, from being 

 His Highness' Chancellor of the Exchequer, 

 that I suppose they considered it wise to pro- 

 pitiate him by an invitation. Before the great 

 man's arrival, too, only inferior performers had 

 been brought forward, but when Hote Singh 

 came, the prima donna and her set were im- 

 mediately called for, and for four hours the 

 pace never slackened. Meer Fyze Mahomed 

 then, I suppose, began to grow sleepy, as ho 

 gave the signal for retreat, and his hospitalities 

 concluded with an excellent supper, after which 



VOL. n. 10 



