148 
LUCKNOW 
long riding coat of velvet. On the roof is erected a range of small 
rooms, which occasionally serves as a zenana, being surrounded by 
a high parapet wall. It is hardly finished, and has not yet been 
inhabited. We all returned to the palace on our elephants. The 
crowd of beggars was prodigious, to whom he very sparingly threw 
rupees. Two very singular vehicles were in waiting for me to ex- 
amine. They were both on wheels, somewhat resembling large 
elephant houdahs, with coverings, and drawn by those animals. 
They went at a considerable rate, though one was as large as a small 
room. I believe it is the first time elephants have been used in 
India for draught : artillery they only push along with their trunks. 
Lord Wellesley has had models sent down, in hopes of applying the 
idea to a military purpose. 
April I breakfasted with Almas, who entertained us with a 
nautch and mimics : with the latter I was amused, and found it 
impossible not to laugh im.moderately. They enacted a kind of play 
or tale. A young fellow is giving way to all kinds of debauchery 
with a party of nautch-girls, when his uncle, a religious man, pays 
him a visit. The manner of his behaviour when his uncle is present, 
and when his back is turned, forms the chief business : at length he 
gets quite drunk, and beats his uncle out of the house. The chief 
fellow had an admirable command of countenance, and went 
through his part with great effect. The usual presents were ten- 
dered to me, Colonel Scott, Mr. Salt, and a young officer who 
accompanied us. We took each a pair of shawls, and returned home 
early. To-morrow will be the festival of theEed; in consequence, I 
received a present of ten goats from the Prince, to whose servant I 
gave ten rupees. The Nawaub sent twenty-one for me, and seven for 
