AURUNGABAD. 67 



delight I gave myself up to all tlie luxury of perfect re- 

 pose in tliese delicious gardens after a hot march, the last 

 stage from Jaulnah, and how it struck me that, after so long 

 a residence in India, this was the first time my fancy had 

 revelled in one of those visions of the East so ably painted 

 by our Anacreontic bard.* The great square the hand- 

 somely gilded and painted mosques the weekly proces- 

 sions of females, in their white veils and gracefully folded 

 robes, carrying flowers to scatter over the shrine of Rabea, 

 are all present to my memory, and form by far the most 

 delightful souvenirs that I retain in any way connected with 

 India. 



The cantonment of Aurungabad outside the city walls 

 was at this time occupied by several battalions of the Nizam's 

 infantry. Mr. William Palmer, one of the brothers of the 

 great Indian banking-firm of that name, resided here with 

 his daughter (a very accomplished young lady, who had 

 just returned from England) in a magnificent bungalow, or 

 rather palace, and Mr. Canning, a near relative of the great 

 minister, was political resident here. 



Both these gentlemen were celebrated for -their splendid 

 and profuse hospitality, a quality, indeed, so common with 

 all European residents at this place, that a stay amongst 

 them for any lengthened period was attended with some risk 

 to the constitution. 



The entertainments partook more of an Oriental character 

 than we were accustomed to at Jaulnah, and generally ter- 

 minated in a " nautch," or native ballet. Aurungabad was 

 celebrated at this time for possessing some of the most beau- 

 tiful and accomplished votaries of Terpsichore in India, both 

 Hindoo and Mussulman; and although I am aware it has 

 been the fashion to cry down these exhibitions, and often 



Thomas Moore. 



