THIRTY-FIVE YEARS IN THE EAST. 1 57 



obtainFnf* any satisfaction, because the judj^e inclined to 

 that side where the money was in greater abundance. This 

 fact induced her to go to Lahore and apply to the English for 

 redress. On this occasion she lost her reason. Nevertheless, 

 she stopped the right person at the bazaar — the director 

 of police, he having probably been pointed out to her as 

 the superior judge, to whon^i she should apply. At Lahore, 

 I had the opportunity of seeing several hermaphrodites, who 

 enjoyed the privilege of being admitted at all births and 

 nuptial festivals, to congratulate the parties and get presents, 

 this being, in fact, their sole means of subsistence, Tlie 

 birth solemnities, however, only take place when the child 

 is of the male sex, never, on any occasion, at the birth 

 of a female. They go so far in this matter as to conceal 

 the latter event ; and the greatest part of the inhabitants 

 of the Punjab, whether Musselmen, Sikhs, o«- Hindoos, are 

 all quite happy when a new-born female departs this life. 

 They would consider it an insult, should any one con- 

 prratulate the parents on the birth of a female. I am sorry 

 to have to relate a fact which is so very uncomplimentary 

 to the ladies, but the first duty of an historian is to tell 

 the truth. If the fair sex in Europe are desirous of know- 

 ing why such little regard is paid to their charms, they need 

 only ask the first Hindoo they may meet with, and he will 

 give them the ungallant answer, that a son brings money 

 into the house, whilst a daughter carries it away. 



One of the before-mentioned lunatics, whom I cured, 

 was a brother-in-law of the Maharajah Runjeet Sing, name- 

 ly, Mirza, brother of the famous Goolbegum. He was fond 

 of smoking churrus, and used to quarrel, when intoxicated, 

 with his brother and sister ( Nobab and Goolbegum ), about 

 the estates which Runjeet Sing gave them. He again be- 

 came insane, and they committed him once more to my 

 care, where he remained until he promised them in writing 

 never thenceforth to smoke churrus, or quarrel with them. 

 On account of this, Goolbegum took him to her abode in 

 the fortress, so that he might be properly watched. I met 

 him there several months afterwards in perfect health. 



