531 



Thus were affairs situated at Bombay iu the month of Novem- 

 ber 1766, at which time an express arrived from England, after a 

 wonderful celerity over the Persian desart, and a sea voyage equally 

 favourable, from Bussorah to Bombay. The packet contained a 

 letter from the court of directors to the president and council, in 

 answer to their representation respecting Mr. Hodges's conduct; 

 mentioning, in the first place, that on a review of Mr. Spencer's 

 proceedings while governor of Bengal, he appeared so blameable, 

 that they had thought proper to annul his appointment to the go- 

 vernment of Bombay, to dismiss him from the company's service, 

 and order him to proceed , to England without delay. Although 

 the conduct of Mr. Hodges had been improper, they were pleased 

 to pass it over ; and, in consideration of his long and faithful ser- 

 vices, his good character and well-known abilities, they had taken 

 off his suspension, and ordered him to succeed to the government 

 of Bombay on Mr. Crommelin's resignation in the month of Janu- 

 ary following. All which accordingly took place. Mr. Spencer 

 embarked for England in the same ship in which I arrived in India 

 in December ; and Mr. Crommelin sailed in January, leaving Mr. 

 Hodges in complete possession of the government. 



Such was the fact: on causes and effects I cannot argue; on 

 preternatural gifts I cannot enter. I must leave these discussions 

 to those who can account for the conduct of the witch of Endor, 

 the genius of Socrates, the spirit which appeared to Eliphaz, or the 

 apparition to Brutus. It is almost needless to remark the ascen- 

 dancy of this brahmin over the mind of Mr. Hodges during the 

 remainder of his life; nor is it to be wondered at, that the new 

 governor undertook no important step without consulting his 



