isgusted him, and he invariably returned to India long
before his furlough had expired. He was a bachelor from choice. When
young he had been very cruelly treated by the object of his admiration,
who deserted him for a few lacks of rupees, which offered themselves
with an old man as their appendage. This had raised his bile against
the sex in general, whom he considered as mercenary and treacherous.
His parties were numerous and expensive: but women were never to be seen
in his house; and his confirmed dislike to them was the occasion of his
seldom visiting, except with those who were like himself, in a state of
happy singleness. In other points, he was a liberal, worthy man, and a
perfect gentleman, but extremely choleric in his disposition.

Newton addressed himself to one of the butlers, requesting to be
announced. The man led the way to a spacious hall, coated and floored
with chunam, when Newton perceived the colonel, who presented rather a
singular spectacle. "Burra Saib; Saib," said the Indian; and
immediately retired.

The colonel was a tall gaunt man, with high cheek-bones, bushy eyebrows,
and white hair. He was seated on a solitary chair in the centre of the
hall; his dress consisting of a pair of white nankeen trousers and a
white shirt, the sleeves of the latter tucked up to his shoulders, and
exposing sinewey arms, covered with hair. By his side lay a basket of
mangoes, and before his chair a large tub of water. As Newton entered,
he had an opportunity of witnessing the most approved method of eating
this exquisite fruit. The colonel had then one as large as a
cassowary's egg, held in both hands, and applied to his mouth, while he
held his head over the tub of water, to catch the superabundant juice
which flowed over his face, hands, and arms, and covered them with a
yellow stain. The contents of the mango were soon exhausted; the stone
and pulp were dropped into the tub of water, and the colonel's hand was
extended to the basket for a repetition of his luxurious feast, when
Newton was announced. Newton was sorry to interrupt him, and would have
made an apology, had he not observed that the colonel, whose back was
towards him, continued his pleasing avocation: the fact was, that the
colonel was so intent upon his occupation, that he had neither heard the
announcement, nor could he perceive Newton, who thus had an opportunity
of witnessing the demolition of at least two dozen more mangoes without