TIIIRTV-FITE YEARS IN THE EAST. iSj 



jTuest, and entertained as such, from the instant of his en- 

 teringf the country to the moment of his departure; even 

 the hill-porters who carried the baggage ( for it is impossible 

 to employ animals heavily laden, on account of the badness 

 of the roads in that hilly country ) were by the officials of 

 the maharajah placed at the disposal of the visitors. In a 

 conversation, however, which I had with the maharajah, he 

 complained that many of the servants of the European vis- 

 itors had abused the hospitality displayed towards them, for 

 they had frequently taken with them very large quantities of 

 saffron, and other products of the country, much beyond 

 ■what they could really use during their sojourn. This cir- 

 cumstance, I believe, has led to an alteration in the custom. 



The most eminent of the visitors at that time, were 

 Lord Gifford, brother-in-law of the Governor-General of In- 

 dia, and the unfortunate Colonel King, who afterwards 

 ( in consequence of imagining that imputations were thrown 

 upon his courage and ability ) committed suicide. We some- 

 times dined together at the maharajah's ; and it may, per- 

 haps, appear very ridiculous to those who are unacquaint- 

 ed with oriental customs, to be informed, that on these 

 occasioTs, we were obliged to send our own cooks, our own 

 wines, and our own plate, and other culinary, or, gastronomic 

 apparatus. The maharajah would make his appearance 

 during dinner, but, of course, would never partake of our 

 repast ; and, to show us particular attention, he ordered 

 preserves, fruit, ice, and sweetmeats, to be sent to us from 

 his own kitchen. Besides this kind of hospitality, he would 

 frequently minister to our entertainment in other ways, as 

 by exhibitions of fireworks, illuminations on the river, music, 

 dancing-girls ( bayaderes ), &c. 



The kings of France professed to cure the king's-evil, 

 by laying the hand upon the patient ; and the kings of 

 England to cure epilepsy, by blowing thrice upon the per- 

 son affected with that disease — the maharajh emulates their 

 example, by professing to cure all cases of paralysis, although 

 he adopts a more substantial and effective method of opera- 

 tion. He administers, for this purpose, a majoon (electuary) 



