132 



in all parts of the world, and seldom meets with a due reward 

 for his patience and resignation. But the Hindoos carry their 

 aversion to a greater length than is customary elsewhere. Dr. 

 Buchanan mentions a dispute among the Hindoos, near Seringa- 

 patam, which was not likely to be terminated without killing a 

 jack-ass in the street of the town where they lived. " This," he says, 

 " may be considered as a very slight matter, but it is not so; for 

 it would be attended by the immediate desolation of the place: 

 there is not a Hindoo in Karnata that would remain another night 

 in it, unless by compulsion: even the adversaries of the party 

 who killed the ass, would think themselves bound in honour 

 to fly." 



The camp-followers are a very independent set of people; 

 and only remain with the army to which they attach themselves 

 as long as it suits their convenience; nor are they subject to that 

 oppression which is so generally prevalent in Hindoslan. The 

 Hindoos, as Craufurd justly observes, " are great observers of deco- 

 rum; their manners are unaffected, they possess much natural 

 politeness, and are cautious never to say or do any thing which they 

 imagine may give offence:" but, in my opinion, there is not that 

 urbanity and benevolence so generally prevailing as we mi^ht ex- 

 pect among a people so closely connected by casle and religion. 



From long observation among the Mahratta chieftains, and 

 principal officers in the camp, they seemed more or less influenced 

 by a jealousy of each other, and trying which should gain the as- 

 cendency by duplicity, chicanery, and intrigue. In my attend- 

 ance, as secretary to the British commander, at the durbar 

 tent, where Ragobah generally held a cabinet council every even- 



