still, very difficult to estimate. On many occasions he behaved
towards me with the greatest kindness, and as though he had a real
affection for me. He would send for me sometimes, when he was sober,
and question me about the various kingdoms of Europe, particularly the
French, English, and Dutch, those being the three nations which had
factories in his dominions. It was plain that he did not believe very
much of what I told him, supposing no doubt that I exaggerated in
order to astonish him. I told him that the French were the most
powerful military nation on the continent of Europe, but that we were
their masters, having several times invaded and conquered their
country. And I said that at sea the English had ever been reckoned the
first of all nations, so much so that no foreign warship was allowed
to pass through our seas without striking her topsails to any British
vessel she might meet. When I spoke in this manner he would mock, and
ask whether I supposed that a Frenchman would confirm these accounts,
to which I made answer that such was scarcely to be expected, the
French being a vain people, and given to boasting of their greatness.

When the Nabob had exhausted his questions--and he seldom asked me
about any but military affairs--he would bestow on me a jewel, or a
rich dress, and dismiss me with every mark of kindness. But on the
very next day, perhaps, being sent for again, I found him in a drunken
rage, ready to curse my nation and myself, and threatening to have my
tongue pulled out for having abused him with lies and inventions about
my miserable country. On these occasions I often heard him declare
that the whole of Europe did not contain ten thousand men, and that as
for King George, he was only fit to be a dewan or zamindar under
himself.

It did not take me long to discover that the Nabob was entirely
governed by those about him. When he could be prevailed on to listen
to his uncle, Meer Jaffier, or to his aunt, the widow of Allaverdy
Khan, his behaviour was rational enough; but more often he fell under
the influence of his detestable Gentoo favourite Lal Moon, and other
scoundrels of that stamp, when he became little more than a drunken
sot. I felt during this period as though I was shut in the same cage
with a capricious tiger, who one moment purred and fawned on me and
the next showed his teeth with horrid snarls, nor was there ever a
day on which I could feel secure that I should not be delivered