THIRTY-FIVE \T:ARS IN THE EAST. 57 



the subject in question might perhaps have been another 

 kind of animal, which possessed the same odour, just as 

 different plants emit a similar scent. The exultation I felt 

 on having found a real musk-deer, caused me to neglect 

 making a proper examination of its characteristic marks, 

 its prominent tusks — being satisfied with the scent. To the 

 best of my recollection, the size was that of a hare, and it 

 was of a slender cylindric frame. 



Whilst I was residing at Wuzeerabad, a young Hindoo 

 lady ( katretee ) came to call on General Avitabile with 

 presents, as a token of her gratitude for his having preserv- 

 ed her from the fate of a Suttee, i. e., being burnt alive with 

 the body of her deceased husband ; which proves that many 

 of these victims of Brahminism feel en aversion to that 

 horrid ceremony. The woman confessed, that on the day 

 of the burning of her husband, and in her extreme grief, 

 she was ready to sacrifice her life, hoping' to enter paradise 

 with her partner, but that now she felt more happy at 

 having been preserved. 



Rtsnjeet Sing related to me that Dr. Allen ( an American, 

 and governor of Goojerat ) used secretly to employ his 

 time in his fortress in the practice of alchymy. I could not 

 forbear laughing at the idea of his expecting to convert 

 common metals into gold, as the conversion of quicksilver 

 into silver v/as found to be quite impossible. Subsequently, 

 my assertion was verified by the discovery he made, that 

 the doctor's alchymy consisted in manufacturing false coin. 

 Runjeet Sing reposed much confidence in me, and insisted 

 on my accepting the command of an artillery department, 

 or the office of governor of a province, like the Generals 

 Ventura, Avitabile, and Dr. Allen ; this, however, I refused, 

 deeming that I had not sufficient abilities to execute such 

 an office properly ; but upon his giving me the choice, I 

 accepted the management of a gunpowder manufactory^ 

 and also a gun-stock establishment. Notwithstanding my 

 numerous occupations, which were very lucrative, I was 

 affected with nostalgy, /. e., I felt an irresistible longing to 

 visit ray native country, which I had not seen for many 



