lse wherewith to amuse himself, it would occur to
him that his horse, having thrown out a splint from standing so long,
ought to be physicked. He was accordingly made to swallow a quantity of
raw brandy! It was useless to suggest any other mode of treatment,
either of horse or dogs. The General laughed at my ignorance, and
challenged me to a game of backgammon. Occasionally gymnastics or
jumping were the order of the day, and he was so lithe and active that
few could compete with him at either.

While smoking his evening pipe he used to talk with delight of his visit
to Europe, looking back with regret on the gaieties of the English and
French capitals, and recounting with admiration the wonders of
civilization he had seen in those cities. He was loudest in his praise
of England. This may have arisen from a wish to gratify his auditory,
and it certainly had that effect. He had not thought it necessary,
however, to perfect himself in the language of either country beyond a
few of what he considered the more important phrases. His stock
consisted chiefly of--How do you do?--Very well, thank you--Will you sit
down?--You are very pretty--which pithy sentences he used to rattle out
with great volubility, fortunately not making an indiscriminate use of
them.

But my particular friend was the youngest of his two fat brothers, whose
merits, alas! were unknown in England, the more elevated position of the
Minister Sahib monopolizing all the attention of the lion-loving public.
Colonel Dhere Shum Shere, such was his name, was the most jovial, light-
hearted, and thoroughly unselfish being imaginable, brave as a lion, as
recent events in Nepaul have proved, always anxious to please, and full
of amusing conversation, which, however, from my limited knowledge of
Hindostanee, I was unable fully to appreciate.

It is considered a breach of hospitality to make invidious remarks
affecting the character of the mansion in which you are a guest; but
although my recollections of the _Atalanta_ are most agreeable in
reference to the kindness of the officers, I must say she was a most
indisputable tub; and if there is an individual who deserves to be turned
slowly before the fire in her engine-room, so as to be kept in a state of
perpetual blister, it is the Parsee contractor who furnished the
provisions, for so meagre was the supply that we could barely satisfy the
cravings of hunger.

On the morning of the tenth day after leavin