167 



and overwhelmed me with disgrace. I am made happy by this 

 act of your kindness. I pray to Alia to keep you in health and 

 wisdom! what can I say more?" 



Among the attendants of the Cambay nabob, as also at Surat 

 and other places, are several Abyssinian and CafTree slaves, called 

 by way of courtesy Seddees, or Master. They are often promoted 

 to great honours, richly apparelled, and furnished with horses, 

 arms, and servants. This is customary among the Moguls, Turks, 

 Persians, and Arabians, and especially the Mamelukes in Egypt, 

 most of whom have ascended to their eminence from such an 

 origin, as the name, signifying "purchased," or " property," implies. 

 The slaves who conduct themselves well find their chains light, are 

 treated like near relatives, and are admitted to great confidence; 

 they often obtain their freedom, and marry their masters' daughters. 

 The mahomedans in general treat their slaves with humanity, and 

 by kind attentions render their servitude easy and comfortable ; 

 nor have those purchased by the English in India much reason 

 to complain of their lot; they experience very different treatment 

 from that of their African brethren in the West Indies. No cruel 

 taskmasters and overseers increase the hardships of bondage; they 

 are all household servants, often confidential domestic friends, and 

 never employed in agriculture or laborious work. With the Dutch 

 in India indeed their condition is not so pleasant; but the most 

 unfortunate of all are those who fall into the hands of the native 

 Portugueze, generally a worthless race, treating their helpless cap- 

 tives with excessive cruelty. 



After all, we must say with Sterne, " disguise thyself as thou 



