116 
BENARES. 
the course of the year. The Rajah is most immoderately fat, and 
looks ill. It is suspected that his complaint is not a very creditable 
one for a Brahmin and married man : I could therefore make no 
enquiries respecting his health. He was attended by three Maho- 
medan physicians. The Hindoos do not like to employ our medi- 
cal men ; why, I know not. The Dewan Khanah was small ; his 
garden-house would have made a better, and there, indeed, I should 
probably have been received, had not his illness prevented his 
moving so far. The room was white; the ornaments painted with 
green; lustres of the same colour were ranged down the middle, 
and on brackets at the sides. In compartments were English prints 
framed and glazed. We conversed but little, our attention being 
diverted by the nautching. Some of the Persian airs were pretty, 
and I was much amused with their singing " I care for nobody, no 
not 1," and Marlbrook." 
The heat from the crowd was insufferable; for a relief, therefore, 
I requested to see some of the rooms towards the river, begging 
that he would not stir. His brothers accompanied me. We found 
them small, but pretty, covered with an appearance of silver, 
caused by powdered talc. The river washes the foundations of a 
small temple of Maha-deva, which is attached to the palace, and is 
built of red stone unpainted. The present Rajah, who is in very 
comfortable circumstances, having upwards of four lac of rupees 
per annum, is much improving this place ; he seems to be fond of it ; 
and indeed its situation is very pleasing. He has nothing now to 
do with the zemindary of Benares, but receives an allowance from 
the Company. He has no family, but seems most aifectionately 
attached to his brothers, one of whom will probably succeed him. 
