239 



trast to the Persian inscription over his beautiful well, without the 

 Jerasseer gate of Baroche, the very spot selected for poor Rha- 

 m an's catastrophe !" 



Bengal Cantonments, near Surat, 0,1st August, 1783. 



" Many thanks, my dear Sir, for your favour of the 

 10th, and kind congratulations on ray convalescence. Thank 

 God, I am now nearly recovered from the severest fever I ever 

 had in my life, in which I was for many days in great danger; and 

 my trembling hand will still convince you of my weak state. I 

 came about a week ago, by the physician's advice, for change of 

 air to the Bengal camp, and have since been gradually gaining 

 appetite and strength. Our four Baroche ladies, with their hus- 

 bands, are also staying with their friends in camp; those from 

 Surat are frequent visitors; and the only two Bengal ladies be- 

 longing to that establishment do every thing in their power to ren- 

 der it agreeable. 



" I know not the full meaning of the word cantonment, and a 

 camp this singular place cannot well be termed; it more resembles 

 a large town, being many miles in circumference. The officers' 

 bungalos on the banks of the Tappee are large and convenient, 

 generally consisting of three rooms and verandas; some of more: 

 all built in wooden frames, filled up with bamboos or neat straw 

 work, lined with coloured chintz or white calico, and the floors 

 covered with cotton carpets. Each bungalo has its own garden, 

 poultry-yard, stables, and out-houses. The soldiers' quarters and 

 every part of the cantonment are equally neat and regular; without 

 seeing it I should have formed a very imperfect idea of the com- 



