of the Old World. 163 



passing through the country meets with the most 

 generous and openhanded hospitality wherever he 

 goes, and the supposed characteristics of an English- 

 man " stiffness and cold hauteur of manner " are 

 rarely to be met with in the East. On the arrival of 

 a stranger at an up-country station, it is the custom 

 for all the residents (whatever may be their rank) to 

 call upon him ; hence arises that kind and friendly 

 intercourse which exists everywhere in Anglo- 

 Indian society, and is rarely to be met with else- 

 where. 



" We heard you had come up," said D , a 



fine specimen of an open-hearted, good-tempered 

 Englishman, " and not knowing whether you had 

 thought of laying in a supply of provisions from the 

 low country, as you can procure nothing here, I have 

 taken the liberty of bringing you half a sheep of my 

 own breeding, a few fattened fowls and ducks, some 

 eggs and cream, a leash of hares, and a few brace of 

 partridges, which ought to eat tender, as they were 

 killed nearly a week ago." 



" Thanks, old fellow !" said B . They will 



indeed prove a treat, for we have been obliged to eat 

 mutton and fowls almost immediately after they have 

 been killed, lately, as nothing will keep throughout 

 the day in the low country this weather. Here, 

 Harry, do you concoct for us one of your insinuating 

 ' claret cups/ whilst I see ' Five Minutes ' about 



M 2 



