LUCKNGW- 
141 
hair was cleaned with a composition of flour and other substances. 
At length I leapt into one of the marble basons, and having tho- 
roughly washed myself, came out, and was covered with hot cloths 
of a very fine texture, and with borders of gold. I returned to the 
next room, which felt much cooler, and gradually prepared me for 
the open air. 
The use of the hot bath is prevalent throughout the East, and,«o 
far as I can judge, seems most refreshing. It gives a softness to the 
skin, and a sensation of coolness, that at first could hardly be ex- 
pected ; and by keeping the pores free from obstruction, must be es- 
sentially beneficial in a hot climate, where tlie inhabitants are liable, 
from excessive perspiration, to be perpetually dirty. I believe it is 
now perfectly ascertained that it by no means relaxes ; and probably, 
ere long, the prejudices against it being removed, it will become a 
much more fashionable remedy even in Europe. I suspect that we 
have strangely opposed it from its being so customary in Asia, and 
our having inseparably connected the ideas of Asiatics and effemi- 
nacy. Mr. Bruce has ably defended the use of hot baths in tropi- 
cal climates. This hummaum forms a part of the stone palace built 
by the late Nawaub, of which more will be said hereafter. 
March 2,8. — I received presents of game, and some curious moun- 
tain birds, from his Excellency the Vizier. Almas the eunuch 
paid me a visit: he is held here in much consideration from the 
prominent parf he has borne in politics ; from having once held, 
as Aumil, above half the province of Oude : and from his conse- 
quently great riches. When Lord Wellesley was here, he w^as very 
anxious for the honour of a visit from his Excellency, who at 
length complied, in order to conciliate s person, whose vast pro-; 
