86 SPORTING IN BOTH HEMISPHERES. 



careless life, and if they had no very great means of enjoy- 

 ment within their reach, they had few miseries or vexations. 

 An officer's military pay and allowances generally formed 

 his whole income, of which he could hardly save much if he 

 lived in a style suitable to his rank or the situation he held. 

 People did then, and do still, acquire immense fortunes in 

 India ; but would in general, I suspect, feel rather puzzled if 

 they were requested to explain how they accumulated their 

 wealth. The duration of life is also so uncertain, and 

 the necessity of stimulants so much felt, owing to the lassi- 

 tude and relaxation caused by the climate, that a man feels 

 inclined to enjoy himself whilst he can; and, if young in the 

 service, is little disposed to circumscribe his pleasures, that 

 he may save money, which is to lay useless and unemployed 

 until the doubtful period arrives when he is to have the 

 means of returning to his own country. 



The annoyances of a disagreeable and unhealthy climate 

 cannot be compensated for by pecuniary advantages to many, 

 and to have the use of one's faculties all day, and to enjoy 

 undisturbed sleep at night, are things worth purchasing on 

 almost any terms, or, at all events, making a sacrifice to ob- 

 tain, more particularly to those who have felt the enfeebling 

 effect of constant heat, and the harassing torments of fever- 

 ish and broken repose. 



But to return to our march. It is difficult to describe 

 the appearances of misery and desolation that most of the 

 Marhatta villages presented. The houses were constructed 

 of mud, had flat roofs of the same material, and, possessing 

 only a few narrow loopholes to represent windows and 

 doors, resembled cellars or prisons. The inhabitants, even in 

 the unfrequented parts of the country, showed little curiosity 

 on seeing Europeans. The men gazed upon the stranger a 

 short time, but never followed him, and the women turned 

 away their heads when he approached, and even covered 



