174 
LUGKNOW. 
Oude and Bengal, a great number of houses have been built by the 
English along the banks of the Goomty, on ground granted by 
the Nawaub. These were private property, and were purchasable 
by any person without his Highness's consent. As the change of 
inhabitants is rapid,, they have been on the market since his suc- 
cession, and he has taken care to secure them all ; so that if any 
future Governor-General should make it a point with him to 
receive a particular person, he can at any rate prevent his stay, by 
not granting him a house to live in. 
Saadut Ali was by no means popular when he came to the 
musnud, and his rigid economy, not to give it a harsher name, has 
not diminished the dislike to him. He was so conscious of this, 
that he obliged the British troops to mount guard at his palace, and 
had centinels placed at the door of his chamber. 
Tormented by these alarms, he at one time wished to retire from 
the cares of the Government, as the treasures of the family, which 
he would have taken with him, were sufficient to gratify his predo- 
minant passion ; but the arrangement could not be made with the 
Governor-General as he wished, and he therefore continued in Oude. 
At present he seems to be more tranquil. The dismissal of his 
law^less bands, who were ready to join Vizier Ali against him, has 
removed a great part of his real danger ; and the presence of a large 
British force at Lucknow, and in the different districts of his reserved 
territory, puts an end to any alarm from the dissatisfaction of the 
ryots at the extortions which his aumils exercise. He now moves 
about to his diflPerent palaces without a guard, and seems to enjoy 
his favourite sport, the chase, without any alloy. The dissatisfaction 
he might have experienced at the cession of a moiety of his territory, 
