MOORSHADABAD. 
often laughed at what they said, and praised their talents. Her 
hookah filled up the intervals. 
From thence we walked through another collection of ruins to 
the grandmother of the present Nawaub, where we were received 
by one of his brothers. The good lady was very talkative ; com- 
plained of the weather, and the state of her garden and habitation, 
which were certainly bad enough. Our reception was the same as 
at the old Begum's. We did not stay ten minutes, pleading as an 
excuse for our haste the great heat of the day. Our last visit was to 
the Nawaub's mother, who lives in a wretched habitation. Here 
two of his illegitimate sons did the honours ; the eldest of whom, 
about eleven, is a very stupid looking lad : but the youngest is more 
lively. His Highness thinks it beneath him to marry any woman 
of this country ; and the princes of the upper provinces have 
heard too much of his poverty to be desirous of the connexion ; 
indeed the expense of bringing a wife down would be more than he 
can afford. I confess I was a little amused with his vanity, when I 
recollected that about one hundred years ago, the founder of the 
family, Aliverdi Khan, was in the service of Mahommed Azim Shah, 
at Delhi. Our visit here was the shortest of all; and having received 
attar from the same stand, which had travelled with us the whole 
round, we departed for our carriage. 
October 3.— -His Highness the Nawaub had fixed on this morning 
to return my visit, and breakfast with me. Ten o'clock struck 
before we had any intimation of his approach, when a hircarrah 
arrived, and his drum was heard. His suwarry was extremely 
handsome, and well arranged. He was preceded by his elephants 
and camels, covered with scarlet cloths, and bearing flags ; with a 
