considerable" sprinkling of red coats from Barrackpore or the fort, all more or less intent upon the bidding. The auctioneer, a good-looking man, and remarkably fluent, was mounted on his rostrum, and holding forth upon the merits of certain goods, which a native assistant, on a platform a little lower than the pulpit, was handing round for inspection. Grundy and I forced our way in, watching anxiously to see if any thing "in our way" was exhibiting. At last, the auctioneer took up a goodly-sized knife, with some dozen blades, &c. These he opened daintily and deliberately, and then, holding up the knife and turning it about, he said, "Now here's a pretty thing-a bighly. finished article-a perfect multum in parvo. Don't all of you bid for this at once, gentlemen, if you please. Here's a large blade, you see, to cut bread and cheese with, a small one to mend your pens, a corkscrew to open a bottle of Hodgson's pale ale when you are out shooting, tweezers to pull the thorns out of your toes, pincers, file, gimlet-all complete. A most useful article that, and (with marked emphasis, and an eye towards Grundy and me, which made us exchange looks significant of purchase), one which no young sportsman should be without. That was sufficient; I was determined to have it, and after an eager bid or two, it was knocked down to me. I found afterwards, however, to my extreme surprise and dismay, I had unconsciously purchased a lot of three dozen of them, enough to set up a cutler's stall in a small way. There was no help for it, however; I was obliged to take them all, though I determined in future to study well the catalogue before I ventured on a bid.

The dogs, I found, had attracted the particular notice of more sportsmen than myself. A young ensign from Barrackpore carried off the greyhound bitch for Rs. 200, a little more than a month's pay. A writer in the buildings bought the French mastiff and the terrier, which went high, and I was obliged to content myself with one of the bull-dogs, a sinister-looking old fellow, with one eye, who went cheap, and would have been cheaper still, had not Grundy, whom I requested to secure it, bidden silently against me in the crowd several times before I providentially discovered my opponent. Poor beast, he died three months after, on my way up, of nostalgia, I rather think, and I gave him decent sepulture on a spit of sand in the Ganges.

From the auction we proceeded to the China bazaar. "Grundy," said I, as we went along, rather nonchalamment, "you need not say any thing to Capt. Marpeet about my buying those knives." Why not?" he asked. "I have my reasons for it," said I, "that's enough." Grundy promised to be mum. The China bazaar! What Bengallee, military in particular, that does not know that attractive resort-that repository of temptations! What a host of pleasant recollections is it calculated to revive! This place is situated at the back of Tank Square, and is enclosed by walls, and entered by gates at several points. The shops are in long, flat-roofed ranges, generally of (I believe) two stories, intersecting each other at right angles; a margin of terrace, a foot or two from the ground, runs along the front of the several shops or stores. Sheltered here and there by an eave or thatched projections, seated in chairs, cross-legged, and in other un-English attitudes, quite at their ease, and smoking their pipes, the baboos, or shopkeepers, may be seen, each opposite his emporium, into which they invite the numerous visitors to the bazaar to enter, assuring them they will find every thing they may want "chip," and of the first quality. As Grundy and I sauntered down one of the streets, we were struck by the appearance of one of the native shopkeepers, who, with an air of courtier-like urbanity, invited us to enter his store. In stature, he was about six feet three or four, stout in proportion; a muslin chudder or toga was thrown

over his shoulders, and a piece more round his waist, but slightly concealing his brawny form; altogether he was the finest-looking Bengallee I ever beheld; indeed, I thought it a pity such thews and sinews, so well calculated for the tug of war, should be lost in the inglorious inaction of the China bazaar. This worthy I afterwards learnt was the celebrated character "Jawing Jack,” well known amongst cadets for his copia verborum and dignified address. Nature and destiny had evidently been at cross-purposes in the management of Jack; the former had clearly intended him morally for what he was physically, a great man, but his stars had thwarted the design. Jack rose from his chair as we drew near, overshadowing us striplings with his Patagonian bulk. I, for my part (being then what is called a lathy chap), felt myself disagreeably small beside him, doubly so he being a "black fellow," and thought I was under the necessity of speaking pretty big, in order to make up for the deficiency, and place myself more on a level with him. "Jawing Jack" had had large experience of griffs, and he treated us in a kind of patronising manner, cautiously avoiding any thing that might lead to offence, and a consequent lowering of his own dignity. There is a quiet satire sometimes in the calm and imperturbable deportment of the Asiatic, when dealing with the rattling, blustering, overbearing European, which conveys a tacit censure well calculated to shame our boasted civilization. "Lately arrived from Europe, gentlemen, I suppose? Hope you are quite well. Will you please do me the honour to walk into my shop-shall be happy to supply any thing re-qui-red, at very reasonable price. I have honour to be well known to all military gentlemen at Barrackpore, and sell best of European aritles, and no 'Niverpool* goods.'" Having rummaged "Jawing Jack's" shop, and bought a few articles, we took our departure, promising at parting to honour him with our future custom.

The Bengallese have a wonderful deal of versatility and acuteness, certainly not naturally the mental power and energy of the European; but as they live temperately, and do not clog the intellectual wheels with beef and malt liquor, as do the Europeans, the mental machinery is generally in capital working order.

On returning to my quarters, I found a chupprassey, or messenger, with a note from General Capsicum, acknowledging the receipt of a letter I had sent him from his friend Sir Toby Tickle, and requesting my company to tiffin and dinner on the following day, at his house at Garden Reach. A little before the appointed hour, Iordereda palankeen, and proceeded to the general's residence, situated in a pleasant domain, some two or three miles from Calcutta. On arriving, I was shown up-stairs into the drawing-room, which commanded a pleasant view of the Hoogly, with its moving scene of boats and shipping, and a distant peep of Fort William. I was standing gazing on the prospect, admiring the boats under sail gliding from side to side, walking as it were the minuet of the waters, the shadows skimming over the river, and the milk-white villas on the opposite bank starting out from amidst the bright green of surrounding groves, when the rustle of a gown and a slight touch on the shoulder aroused me from my state of abstraction. It was the young widow of whom I have already made mention, "the softened image" of the rough old general, my Hibernian host. "How do you do, Mr. Gernon ?" said she, extending her hand with exceeding frankness and cordiality; "I am so glad to see you again, and not looking in any way the worse for your sojourn in Calcutta." (Oh! that our English pride and sensitiveness, those adamantine trammels of caste, which strangle so many of our virtues, would let us have a little more of that single-hearted • Liverpool, long considered a part of terra incognita by the natives.

Asiat.Journ. N.S. VOL.35. No. 138.

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66

openness which thinketh no evil"-it is so comfortable !). "Have you seen my father yet?" asked Mrs. Delaval, for that was her name. I answered in the negative. "Oh, then," she continued, "he will be here immediately when he knows of your arrival, for he is anxious, I know, to see you; he is somewhere in the house, amusing himself with his violin. But pray, Mr. Gernon, be seated," she continued, "and tell me how you like India, now that you have seen a little more of it." "I like it much," I replied, “and never was happier in my life. I have got my commission, and as soon as posted to a regiment, am off to the Upper Provinces by water. I have some idea of applying for a particular corps, but have not yet decided on that point: they say you should not interfere with the operations of the Fates, but leave yourself to their direction. What, madam," continued I, “would you advise me to do?" "Oh! really," said Mrs. Delaval, smiling at the idea of my asking her advice on such a point, “I fear I am incompetent to advise you, not knowing all the circumstances of your position; you ought, of course, to consider well before you act, and having so done, leave the result to Providence. I am, however," said she, somewhat seriously, "a decided predestinarian, and believe that

There is a providence that shapes our ends,
Rough-hew them how we will."

"It is a puzzling subject," said I," and one that is rather beyond me; one, if I remember rightly, that even bewildered the devils in pandemonium. But if your view of it is correct, I don't see why we should put ourselves to any extra trouble in 'rough-hewing,' Providence having previously determined on the ultimate form or shape of the work, without reference to our intentions." "There is a difficulty in it to our finite capacity, certainly," said the lady, gravely; "but we ought still to act as if the result depended upon our exertions.' "It shows a large capacity of belief to receive both these at the same time," said I. However, I think the safest maxim to hold by is, that 'conduct is fate.' As for the decrees of fate, if such there be, I think we had better leave them in the darkness which must ever surround them." This was rather a philosophical opinion for a griffin, but one which I have always held, though young blood at that time and since has often capsized the philosopher. "Well, Mr. Gernon," continued she, "you have my best wishes for your happiness and success in life; all is couleur de rose with you now; may it ever so continue! Already," said she, and the tear glistened, "the clouds of life are beginning to pass over me." As she said this, she crossed her fair white hands on her lap, and the widow's eyes sadly dropped on her wedding ring, the little golden circlet type of eternal fidelity. I understood it, and was silent. Silence is preferable on such occasions, perhaps, to the common-places of condolence. We both continued mute for some moments; she looking at her ring, I out of the window.

At length, I ventured to say, "Dear madam, do not deem me impertinent, I pray; but cheer up; remember, as my Irish half-countrymen beautifully express it, every dark cloud has a silver lining,' and there are doubtless many, many happy days yet in store for you." I should have premised, that Mrs. Delaval had lately lost her husband, a fine young fellow, who fell in the storm of a small Polygar fort on the coast, and time had not yet brought that balm with which in due course he heals the wounds of the heart, unless the very deepest. I was certainly waxing tender, when the idea of Olivia, my poor abandoned Olivia, crossed my mind. "What would Mrs. Grundy say," thought

I, "if she knew of it?" The widow gave her auburn locks a toss, made an effort at self-possession, smiled through her tears, and was herself again. "By-thebye, Mr. Gernon,” said she, “though but a recent acquaintance, I will assume the privilege of an old friend, and give you some little information whilst we are alone, which may be of some advantage to you in your intercourse with this family." I looked alarmed, not knowing what was forthcoming. She perceived what was passing in my mind. "You need not think, Mr. Gernon," and she smiled, "that you have come amongst giants or ogres, who are likely to form designs against your life and liberty. Nothing quite so bad as thatno. What I wished to say is, that my father is a man of warm and generous impulses, but violently passionate and eccentric; and I intreat you to be cautious in what you say before him, and do not press any subject if you find him evincing impatience. If he likes, he may serve you; but if he takes a prejudice, he is exceedingly persecuting and bitter: a warm friend, but an inexorable foe. Mrs. Capsicum, to much vulgarity adds all my father's violence and irritability, with none of his redeeming qualities. You must be submissive, and prove yourself a 'good listener,' or you will have little chance of standing well with her." This was said with some little asperity of manner, plainly indicating that the step-mother was not more popular than step-mothers generally are. As for the others you will see here, you may safely be left to the guidance of your own judgment and discretion in your conduct towards them."

I thanked Mrs. Delaval for her information, which, I saw, emanated from the purest feeling of womanly kindness, and promised to be on my guard, and endeavour to profit by it.

MR. MASSON'S ACCOUNT OF THE FALL OF KHELAT.

(Concluded from page 62.)

"To counteract the efforts of Shah Nawaz Khan to get up resistance, or to persuade Lieut. Loveday to accompany him, Haji Osman and Nasrulah set on foot a variety of missions to the rebel camp. Had not the consequences been so fatal, the zeal for negotiation at this period would have been amusing. It is obvious how important it was to the enemy that Lieut. Loveday should remain at Kelat in their power, whether they intended to gratify their revenge and cupidity at his expense, or whether they hoped by the possession of his person to secure terms. Nasrulah was sent to the camp a second time with Morad Khan, a naik, and Imaum Buksh, a drummer. The two latter made their salam to the young Khan, who spoke very courteously to them, and sent them to the Shah Ghassi, to report in secret the object of their mission. Nasrulah was privately closeted with the Darogah. Haji Osman introduced on the scene his uncle Atta Mahomed Khan, brother of the notorious Akhund Mahomed Sidik, and this man, with Rais Pir Mahomed of Kelat, was sent privately by night. On the next day, Atta Mahomed Khan went publicly with a retinue of forty or fifty persons he had collected. It struck me that there was something very indecent in this display, while Shah Nawaz Khan was yet in the town. Yet this was not all; the Hindus came to ask Lieut. Loveday if they might go to make their salam: they were told ' Yes;' and moved from the town in a body to the rebel camp. While such things were in progress, Lieut. Loveday, on Shah Nawaz Khan coming to call on him, with his accustomed familiarity of friendship, would place his arm around him, affecting to coincide with his views and plans, while at the time his agents were negotiating (if such a term may be used) with the Khan's enemies, and frustrating his intentions. Shah Nawaz Khan, however, in my pre

"

sence, reproached Lieut. Loveday with the fact of his man Nasrulah being in secret conference with the Darogah, and at another time so rebuked Haji Osman, and used such high language, that had he received encouragement from Lieut. Loveday, a person standing by remarked, he would have drawn his sword and put an end to the Haji and his treachery. Kamal Khan, moreover, complained to Lieut. Loveday that Shah Nawaz Khan had even presumed to accuse him of playing falsely. It was amusing to hear Lieut. Loveday express his shocked feelings, and strive to console the traitor. Lieut. Loveday's envoys always brought back the same unqualified assurances of kind treatment and protection- the young Khan, the Darogah, and Bibi Ganjani were all inspired by the best and kindest feelings, and the sirdars of Saharawan were determined to adhere with fidelity to their engagements; Lieut. Loveday might do entirely as he pleased, return to Shall, or remain at Kelat; if he went to Shall, the Bibi Ganjani was to accompany him; if he remained, his every wish was to be gratified; another and handsome house was to be built for him, in place of the one pulled down by the Brahoes,' whose timbers had been converted into escalading ladders. Nasrulah particularly certified to the good intentions of his old master, the Darogah, and Atta Mahomed Khan, who professed to have great influence with the Bibi Ganjani, assured Lieut. Loveday of that lady's good will, and that she looked upon him as her son. A letter was brought by Atta Mahomed Khan, said to be from the Bibi; but in the place of her seal, her name was scrawled within a circle. On my questioning the authenticity of this document, I was told the Bibi had no seal, having given it to Postans Sahib in Kachi, who had promised to do some business for her with the government. Lieut. Loveday seemed satisfied with all that was done, and to place belief in all he heard. I think he was very angry with me for cautioning him, or presuming to suggest that he was deceived. Yet I knew it was so, and with bitter disgust I heard Rais Pir Mahomed, on return from his nocturnal mission, and after he had reported to Lieut. Loveday what had passed, repeat, sitting with Nasrulah, a Persian couplet ending with the words 'sag dowan,' and intimating that his victim had fallen into the snare laid for him. Besides the people here named-Ghulam and Fatti, brothers, and Babi merchants, Wali Mahomed, a tailor, Buta Sing, a sipahi, and others whom I cannot remember, were sent on missions of one kind or other. Elchis were raked up from all quarters, and the aid of no one was refused.

"Shah Nawaz Khan, finding his wishes to continue the defence baffled, urgèd Lieut. Loveday to accompany him, taking all his effects with him. He assured him that he should be conducted in safety to Zehri or Baghwana, where, as he pleased, the struggle might be renewed or he could retire. The Khan preferred Zehri, being supported by Mir Boher, and that the Malloh route would be kept open, while Shikarpore was near. He honestly and truly confessed that he could not undertake the responsibility of the Shall route. Lieut. Loveday seemed to acquiesce, but only seemed his advisers also were ready with their insinuations against the motives of the Khan and Mir Boher, and were not willing that their victim should escape. Lieut. Loveday urged that he had not a sufficient number of camels, and the Khan offered to supply any number he wanted. I warmly supported the proposal, but all who had any influence with Lieut. Loveday were against it, and he was clearly incapable of acting contrary to their counsels. Some faint attempts were made to pack up, but were soon abandoned.

"The third day had now arrived, when the young Khan and rebel host were to enter the town. Shah Nawaz Khan was early in the morning with Lieut. Loveday, entreating him, even then, to accompany him with his party, taking only his valuables, for it was too late to think of moving the bulk of the property. Lieut. Loveday was fixed, as if by enchantment, to Kelat, and lent a deaf ear to all that was said. Shah Nawaz Khan had before asked him if all the Feringhees were as laghor, or unmanly, as he was, and now prophesied to him all the indignities and perils to which he exposed himself by remaining. It was not until this period that Shah Nawaz Khan thought of abdication. The time was very critical. He had not deserted