168 
LUCKNOW 
nience from the prickly heat, which rendered even turning in bed 
unpleasant. It resembles the sufferings in scrambling through a 
furze brake, and the pricking in that case is by no means worse 
than from the rash that covered me ; the only consolation is, that it is 
considered as a proof of health. The natives use powdered sandal 
wood externally as a cure ; it is very cooling, and I was therefore 
afraid to use it. I found relief myself by washing with lavender 
and rose water mixed ; the rash is dried by this, but not repelled. 
July ^1. — As it was known in the country that I intended to visit 
Agra and Delhi, I received very polite invitations from General 
Perron and the Begum Somroo to stay some time with them on my 
way; but the changeable conduct of Scindiah made it doubtful from 
the first whether I should be able to accept their invitations. The 
die however was now cast ; Lord Wellesley notified to me that he 
could not recommend to me to quit the Company's territories; and 
the augmentation of the regiments to the full establishment, and the 
march of the troops towards the frontiers, proved to me that his 
Excellency considered a war with Scindiah as certain. I was how- 
ever permitted to go to Futty Ghur ; and as the total want of police 
in the Nawaub's territories renders an escort necessary, his Excel- 
lency kindly sent orders that a company of sepoys and twenty horse 
should attend me on my journey. The rains had fallen so scantily 
that the roads were still passable. As it is an object to me to lose no 
time, and as a residence of four months has shown me all that 
Lucknow affords, I have determined to depart on the 26th : I notified 
this to his Highness the Nawaub, who kindly promised to supply 
me with a camp-equipage, and assured me that every thing should 
be ready. A very unexpected disappointment has occurred ; Mr. 
