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troduce the brahmin who occasioned the digression, and with 

 whom Mr. Hodges became acquainted during his minority in the 

 company's service. This extraordinary character was then a young 

 man, little known to the English, but of great celebrity among the 

 Hindoos, and every other description of natives, in the western part 

 of the peninsula. I believe Mr. Hodges first saw him at Cambay, 

 where he was appointed the English resident soon after the expira- 

 tion of his writership. The brahmin expressed an affectionate re- 

 gard towards him, and, as far as the distinction of religion and caste 

 allowed, the friendship became mutual and disinterested. The 

 brahmin was always justly considered as a very moral and pious 

 character ; Mr. Hodges was equally well disposed : his Hindoo 

 friend encouraged him to proceed in that virtuous path which 

 would lead him to w r ealth and honour in this world, and finally 

 conduct him to eternal happiness. To enforce these precepts, he 

 assured him he would gradually rise from the station he then held 

 at Cambay, to other residences and inferior chiefships in the com- 

 pany's service ; that he would then succeed to the higher appoint- 

 ment of chief at Tellicherry and Surat, and would close his Indian 

 career by being governor of Bombay. Mr. Hodges not having 

 been enjoined secrecy, spoke of these brahminical predictions 

 among his associates and friends from their very first communica- 

 tion ; and their author was generally called Mr. Hodges's brahmin. 

 These predictions for some years made but little impression on his 

 mind. Afterwards, as he successively ascended the gradations in 

 the company's service, he placed more confidence in his brahmin, 



especially when he approached near the pinnacle of ambition, and 

 VOL. 11. 3 y 



