CALCUTTA. 
255 
their race-horses, which, together with the extravagant parties and 
entertainments frequent among them, generally involves them 
in difficulties and embarrassments at a very early period of their 
lives. The enormous expenses attendant upon these and similar 
irregularities, are much too considerable to be defrayed even by 
the princely allowance which the writers enjoy from the moment 
of their arrival in India. To support this profuse manner of 
living, they are compelled to borrow large sums, at an exorbitant 
interest, of the Dewan, who is frequently a native of rank, and acts 
as a species of upper servant. These men, deeply versed in all the 
mazes of Oriental subtlety, gradually insinuate themselves into 
the favour of their masters, and by encouraging their follies, and 
artfully supplying the means of dissipation, insensibly plunge 
them in almost inextricable dfficulties, and eventually succeed in 
getting into their own hands the sole management of the writer's 
affairs. 
While the young man remains in an inferior situation, the debt 
to the Dewan continues to encrease, from additional advances, and 
the rajnd accumulation of interest ; and when the higher appoint- 
ments at length become open, it takes years to clear off the em- 
barrassments incurred by early extravagance. 
It is fortunate, if, in the eagerness to free himself from his 
incumbrances, he be not induced to connive at the misconduct of 
the Dewan, and even to participate in the illegal profits, with 
which the latter is ever ready to allure him ; and though a large 
majority of those who arrive at the higher stations, pass through 
them with unsullied integrity, perfectly satisfied with the liberal 
allowances attached to their situation, and requiring no other 
