146 HAUNTS AND HOBBIES 



perhaps also prove interesting to my readers. I, there- 

 fore, give a brief summary of its contents. The 

 summary, I should mention, is drawn up from mere 

 recollection, and from the recollection of a perusal at 

 a time long gone by. 



Warren Hastings, then Governor -General of India, 

 set out, so the narrative records, on a progress through 

 the western provinces of our then dominions. He 

 intended also to extend his progress to the adjacent 

 half-tributory territory of the Nawab of Oude. We may 

 infer that he moved with all the state and splendour 

 at that time regarded as befitting his high position, with 

 tents, horses, elephants, and an army of attendants. 

 He was also, as we learn from the narrative, accom- 

 panied by a strong military escort. 



There were many political matters of high importance 

 to be arranged, and among others the affairs of the 

 Raja of Benares. The Raja had of late been occasion- 

 ing trouble, chiefly, if I remember correctly, by evading 

 the payment of his revenue, for, notwithstanding his 

 extensive domains and his royal sounding title, the 

 Raja was in reality no more than a tenant of our 

 Government. He held his lands by virtue of a lease 

 granted him by our Government, and he had engaged 

 to pay for them a certain rental. This is a point on 

 which the narrative strongly insists, but of which I 

 confess that till I perused it I was entirely unaware. 



Warren Hastings left Calcutta, and in due course 

 arrived at Benares. He there halted his camp in 

 the neighbourhood of the city, and entered into com- 

 munications with the Raja. He hoped, it would seem. 



