218 FOREST LIFE AND SPORT IN INDIA 
tion of good cheer and good fellowship ; and the aged, 
contented that they are on their way to bed without 
having prematurely fallen asleep during the feast. 
Meanwhile the Amateur Dramatics are amusing 
their audiences and themselves with performances 
grave and gay, both well staged and well acted 
by talented performers; and maybe a zest is im- 
parted to the proceedings by the fact that you are 
acquainted, not only with the cast, but with the 
audience—at least, to the extent of knowing their 
income and age, and also, so far as gossip can be 
trusted, their personal and family history to the 
third and fourth generations 
With the monsoon arrives the season of dances 
and balls that continue till its close, and with it 
also cease the picnics to Mashobra and the neigh- 
bourhood, and the garden-parties that fill up any 
spare moments that may have been saved from 
work and play—for there is work at Simla. It has 
been called the “ playground” of the Empire, but a 
reforming Viceroy directed that the word should be 
changed to “workshop,” and took care that the 
term should be applicable, so much so that in the 
reaction that followed his departure it has been 
hinted that less efficiency would bring the rulers 
and the ruled in closer relationship—in plain 
language, that we should try levelling down instead 
of levelling up. But whatever the inspiration of 
the moment, it makes little difference to the toilers 
of the pen who stream to the various hideous public 
offices at ten of the morning, nor dare leave them 
till late in the evening, for the reason either that 
work is unfinished or that more is expected. Then 
