POONAH, 
137 
sent a private friend to Colonel Close, who began by stating the 
Prince's high satisfaction at the British conduct, and the convic- 
tion of their extreme anxiety for his brother's prosperity. He then 
mentioned the dancing, and his fears concerning it, asking if 
Colonel Close could not give a hint to his Highness on the subject, 
which, coming from him, might have great weight. Colonel Close 
in reply observed, that he saw no possible means by which he could 
with delicacy interfere in a business, which related solely to their 
religious policy, but that if he would point out any means that 
occurred to him, the Colonel would trv to use them. The Prince 
then sent to say, that if no means occurred to the superior under- 
standing of Colonel Close, there were no hopes that he should dis- 
cover any ; and here the matter ended. 
A perfect degree of cordiality subsists between the Mahratta 
durbar and the British Resident, yet frequently it is almost im- 
possible to transact business from the interference of their supersti- 
tions. The waiting for a fortunate day may put off the most im^ 
portant concerns ; and if a member of the minister's family dies, he 
is shut up for a month, and all business is at a stand. Formerly 
these difficulties were purposely brought forward, but even now we 
cannot quite get rid of them. 
Our influence has hitherto been used to conciliate the minds of 
all. The brother of the widow of Nana Furnese had been put in 
prison during some former disturbances: we obtained his release, 
and are attempting to procure something for him. Imrut Row, his 
Highness's brother by adoption, has also been essentially served 
by us. A friendship will probably never exist between them, but 
in the arrangements at a peace with Holcar, he may have a pro- 
