226 
SCENES IN INDIA. 
which he carried under his ami, produced a pair of 
slippers, which he placed before Madhoo Row, saying, 
f This is my occupation, it was that of my father.’ 
Mahadajee, at the moment he said this, took the old 
slippers the Paishwa had in use, which he wrapped 
up carefully, and continued to hold them under his 
arm ; after which, though with apparent reluctance, 
he allowed himself to be prevailed upon to sit down.” 
I confess this story appears to me to challenge a 
doubt; it seems rather apocryphal that an eastern 
prince, with whom magnificence is as germane as the 
love of admiration in a coquette, should, in a full 
audience of his nobles, have thrust his feet into an 
old pair of slippers. He no doubt appeared in state 
upon such a state occasion, and therefore how the 
humble Mahadajee could have obtained possession of 
his highness’s old slippers, demands a wiser head than 
mine to determine. In truth, I am altogether dis- 
posed to doubt the authenticity of this anecdote, 
though it bears the sanction of so respectable a name 
in oriental literature as that of Sir John Malcolm, 
for whom I, in common with thousands, entertain 
the respect which is due to one who has written 
so copiously and so well upon the modem history of 
India. 
The old warrior was only less fond of state because 
he was more fond of money, and it is certain that, with 
all his show of humility, if the anecdote recorded of 
him by Sir John Malcolm be true, he could at times 
assume the haughtiness of the conqueror, and make 
the vanquished feel that he was one. He was very 
penurious, and succeeded in amassing great treasure, 
