78 
SCENES IN INDIA. 
make up the sum of two lacs of rupees, or twenty- 
four thousand pounds sterling per annum. The se- 
raglio, which is the most expensive portion of the 
personal establishment of a Mahomedan prince, was 
reduced to a pitiable condition, and the emperor found 
himself in his old age without the power of securing 
the comforts of those who had not the means of re- 
alizing their own, and these too the objects of his 
tenderest affections. 
The seraglio of an eastern prince is at once the pe- 
netralia of the political and social sanctuary, whence 
emanate all the cabals and conspiracies so rife in the 
cabinets of Moslem potentates ; it may, therefore, be 
as well to give a brief description of this part of a 
Mahomedan sovereign’s domestic establishment. In 
the seraglio are educated the Mogul princes and the 
principal youth among the nobles destined for posts 
of responsibility in the empire. It is generally sepa- 
rated from the palace, but so nearly contiguous as 
to be of ready access. None are admitted within its 
apartments except the emperor and those immediately 
attached to its several offices, the duties of which are 
performed by women. It is generally inclosed by 
lofty walls and surrounded by spacious gardens, laid 
out with all the splendour of eastern magnificence, 
where every luxury is obtained which the appe- 
tite may demand or money can procure. Those 
inmates who form the matrimonial confederacy of 
the Mogul potentate, are among the most beautiful 
girls which the empire can furnish. They are 
taught embroidery, music, and dancing, by certain 
old women hired to instruct them in every bland- 
