the trip to Cashmere!" This related to two slave-girls of the family, who were missing since the fall of Delhi. One had been seen mounted on a pony, and traced as far as Lahore, in charge of a rough Pathan of the frontier. Of the other, nothing could be ascertained, although very strict inquiries had been made for her in many of the English cantonments. blown about in Hindoostan during the late rebellion, by adverse winds, that your highness must not be surprised at the kotwal of Delhi having ridden, on more than one horse to escape them. The treachery and perfidy of Indian officials needs no defence from me : the paper I hold in my hand is a most earnest and pathetic appeal from the kotwal of Delhi to Mirza Mogul, begging for service, and stating that he had with difficulty and conscientious doubts served a foreign race for thirty years. It is a bond of union between me and the kotwal. Whenever I gently hint at its possession, he sees with my eyes, hears with my ears, and is as father to me!" Indad Ali again secured the precious document, and was about to retire from the presence of his mistress, when she said There were of course a good many difficulties to be overcome as to leaving Delhi without the knowledge of the civil authorities, and there was a great deal of discussion as to whether a bylie (or carriage drawn by bullocks) should be used, or the English mode of travelling the dâk carriage-adopt-a ed. Indad Ali undertook to arrange the political part of the business. He went to the kotwal, or chief officer of the city, sat down with him alone for a few minutes, and made matters so smooth with this official that, for the future, he only regarded Zeenut Mahal and Bismillah as the wife and daughter of Indad Ali. Embracing Indad Ali, the kotwal said-" How pleasant it is to have a friend whose society is so agreeable. May God always protect and preserve my friends!" CHAPTER II. ZEENUT BEGUM (for in future we drop the more stiff title of Mahal) was particularly pleased with the adroit, quiet, business-like manner in which Indad Ali had managed the preliminaries for an immediate departure of her party from Delhi. She smiled kindly on her old servant, and said, looking at him somewhat inquiringly "You have done famously; but the treachery of Native police officials in Hindoostan is a proverb. How do you know that the kotwal of Delhi is to be trusted ?" Indad Ali quietly unwound his waistband, and produced a small packet of papers. He carefully arranged them on the carpet, having first solicited permission to seat himself, and, after a good deal of deliberate inspection, for he was not much of a scholar,-selected one, and, with a pleasing intonation of voice, and a bright smile playing on his countenance, replied "So many respectable men were "Since you have managed so well about the characters we are to assume when we leave Delhi, also arrange for the mode of our departure." "Your Indad Ali at once answered : commands have been already anticipated. I have settled with the Inland Transit Company for two nice, new travelling carriages as far as Lahore, to start at 4 P. M. on the 15th May; they have already been paid for, and the services of a respectable Mahomedan driver secured-an old servant, I may say, of your royal house. We all travel as the establishment of Captain Brown, a well-known and esteemed English name,-in command of recruits coming up from Kurrachee.. It is always conclusive mentioning the name of a regiment; so I have, as yet, left it behind the purdah of concealment.' The police in India always molest Native vehicles; but who can for an instant question the loyalty of a palkee gharee painted red, with its venetian blinds, its English baggage inside and out, with a vigorous blow of the horn to warn all to get out of the way, aided by a good cut of the whip for the lingerer ? Indad Ali was a man of acute and matured observation; he had served both with English and Native masters, and knew the weak points of the character of each,-when they would bustle up, and when they might be led quietly like a horse to water. The 15th of May, as has already been stated, was the day settled for the departure of the party; but there were many preparations to be made, private leave-takings to be gone through, goods to be purchased for the trip, and an English air to be given to the dress and belongings of the party. All was arranged by the sagacity, forethought, and prudence of Indad Ali. He purchased two or three English boxes for clothes, and an overland trunk, from Hubble-bubble-a Moslem trader carrying on his business close to the kotwalee. [This nickname is a legacy of some royal officers, to whose unpliant tongues the name of Hubeeboolah was a poser.] On the boxes the name of "6 Captain Brown, Her Majesty's Army, in Command of Recruits from England," was carefully painted. Hubble-bubble wished to add an e to the name of Brown, saying, "All Queen Victoria's officers are very big menplenty money-big house in England only come to India for pleasure. Brown common name- -Browne proper-Smith very vulgar-write Smythe. Old Company's officers too fond of pice and Indian air-stay too long time-get yellow face and bad liver-all go home now. Queen Victoria's officers push very hard for the pleasure of living in their bungalows, and drawing their little pay-Queen Victoria's officers pad all over, and very great swell!" Indad Ali objected to the e, fancying it might create a pang in the heart of the civil officers of the Government; it might be considered as an innovation, and also rouse the ire of the officers of the late Company's army, should they chance to cast an eye on the name of Browne. On one small box, "Glass, with great care," was painted. A regulation infantry sword was procured from an officer's bearer, who parted with it for five rupees, and used for years after to mourn with his master about the sudden disappearance of his "kirick," consoling him at the same time with the balm of "Queen Victoria's officer rich man-not care for dirty pice!" Two or three bottles of tart-fruits, a carpet-bag, and a hat-box, containing if the truth must be told pawn, henna, and a few odds and ends, completed the outfit. 66 Indad Ali and Zynoodeen were provided with two large white turbans, as worn by English table attendants in Hindoostan, in exchange for their every-day smart embroidered caps; and a dress was procured for Bismillah and Zeenut Begum -a cheap purchase from the wife of a European non-commissioned officer, who had a way of parting with her clothes for a dhrop of the cratur comfort." With a pockethandkerchief over their heads, our heroines might have passed muster for two respectable half-caste women— "drab-coloured," as Sir Charles Napier termed them. But the hearts which beat with such quick pulsation, when trying on their disguises, together with the angry glances of the dark-flashing eyes, at once proclaimed that no base blood flowed in the veins of Bismillah and Zeenut Begum. The anticipated departure from any place where we have passed our childhood, although regarded with pleasure as long as the event is still distant, yet, as day after day passes by, causes pain as we become more and more attached to by-gone scenes and recollections. "We shall leave home, and, perhaps, not see it again!" is felt by most of us when setting out on a long journey. We English in India are well acquainted with these workings of the feelings. How many of us leave a happy English home, and wander about the world without one for the rest of our lives-and yet we are envied by Natives as the happy and fortunate race! With all our blessings we are exiles! Amalgamation will, however, soon scatter the chaff which Hubble-bubble says "has accumulated on the green fields of Hindoostan." Our feet linger still on the dark mountains, uncertain which way to tread. When will brave men again place the laurel wreath on the brow of the Indian army, which envy now strips off leaf by leaf? Nobly they sustained the diadem of Britain during the year 1857 must its weight now crush them? Hubble-bubble says the Company's officers "were too fond of pice"-the royals never want their pay ;-lucky dogs! CHAPTER III. It was a sense of these feelings which made both Bismillah and Zeenut Begum anxious to take a last farewell of the familiar spots in and about Delhi, prior to their departure for Cashmere. Perhaps they might never live to return— the future was a sealed book. It was consequently fixed, that one day should be devoted to an inspection of the city of Delhi-another to that of its environs for the view of the former the 12th of May was settled; for that of the latter the 14th of May-a day's rest being considered essential for wearing off the fatigue of the sight-seeing of the 12th. When the news of the completion of all the arrangements for the trip round the city was communicated to Bismillah by her nurse, she was sitting in an upper room of the house occupied by the family in the Red Well Street. It presented a fine frontage to the street, and was highly ornamented with fresco paintings outside. A battle was represented on one of the compartments, in which an English officer in a red coat bore a conspicuous part, with a sword in one hand, and a bottle of wine in the other. When the archway was passed, the visitor found himself in a fine open court-yard, in which a fountain was playing, the basin into which the water fell being of pure white marblea family heirloom, the gift of the Emperor Shah Jehan. There were three inner court-yards for the use of the women of the family, each with its appropriate suite of apartments. There were also two warm baths attached to the palace, one for the male, the other for the female members of the family, at which the bathmen attended when required. In fact, nothing could be more complete and comfortable than the arrangements of this family. Round the fountain, the gardener had planted rose-trees; and flowers in full bloom, of varied colours, added much to the beauty of the scene. The basin which received the waters of the fountain was stocked with golden fish, the original gift of a Calcutta merchant, who brought them as a small nuzzur. Amongst plants of aquatic growth, the lotus shone forth conspicuous, rearing its lovely pink flower from amongst its leaves, which, broad, soft, and slightly tinted with copper-colour, retained on their even surface countless drops of water, which appeared like so many pearls, as the bright rays of the sun passed over them. It was a subject of general remark when Delhi was captured in 1857-"How comfortable and commodious the houses of the Delhi people are!" The style in which the Natives lived struck every one with surprise, profoundly ignorant as most English are of the turn of thought, habits, and customs of the Natives of India. The room in which Bismillah usually passed her time had a window looking out into the street, and also one which gave her the exclusive command of a quiet retired court-yard. She sadly missed her slave-girls Narcissus and the Pearl, and, disliking fresh and untried women-servants, was principally attended by her nurse. The room was covered with a fine white cloth, on which not a speck of dust could be traced, and furnished with a divan, which ran round it, the pillows being stuffed with cotton, and covered with white cloth. There were a few good pictures on the walls, the works of the famous painter Azim, when in his palmy days of fame one was of Bahadur Shah, the ex-King of Delhi; another of the far-famed beauty Taj Mahal; a third, of the Emperor Shah Jehan. Wall-shades of varied colours-blue, green, pink, pale-yellow-were fixed to the walls. On Bismillah's right hand might be seen her Koran, carefully folded up in its red cover, bound round with an edging of yellow; there was also a low wooden stand, on which it could be placed in a convenient position before the reader. The doors and the windows of the room were protected by purdahs and chicks made up of neatly cut pieces of bamboo, coloured red, green, and yellow, to keep out the glare and the swarms of flies which afflict Delhi. A pawn-box of silver, of the most approved palace fashion, completed the furniture of the room. Bismillah sat on the ground. She was dressed entirely in white-in a jacket, an under-jacket, and a scarf over her head and shoulders; her trousers were loose and wide, after the custom of Delhi ladies, as seen amongst the upper classes; her hair was drawn well back, THE DEATH OF JOHAN-EL-COM- [From an Arabian MS.] and showed a fine forehead, and highly arched eyebrows, well marked; her nose was, perhaps, a little too high for English taste-but their's is not the only style of beauty in the world, and Bismillah's nose was a marked feature of the Timour family. Teeth as bright as pearls, a delicately formed mouth,-a little wanting, perhaps, in pliancy,-a slender figure, of perfect symmetry, placed our heroine high up in the list of beauty. Her complexion was nutbrown, and the blood of a Timour, which mantled in her cheeks, giving additional lustre to a bright and glit-lish version. The original MSS. have tering eye, told the tale of a strong will and a haughty temperament. Bismillah was a mere girl, and yet there was but little of the softness or hilarity of youth about her. Although Zeenut Begum was the older of the two, she was much more soft and kind in her disposition, and had far less pride in her composition; she also was a beauty, formed in a milder mould. The turbulent character of the tribes in the vicinity of Delhi, whose depredations and predatory habits were considerably facilitated by the ravines which, surrounding the city, acted as channels to carry off the torrents of rain which rush down from the low ranges of hills in the vicinity of Shahjehanabad, led the emperor who gave his name to the modern DelhiShahjehanabad, to form the comprehensive plan of founding a new city. The palace-by some designated a fort,-which stands out boldly, one of the most prominent and attractive sights of Delhi, is called, by the somewhat boastful and exaggerating Mahomedan, the private residence of the king. It contained, prior to the rebellion of 1857, a population of 20,000, of mixed religion, caste, and descent. The fair sons of Persia, Cabool, and Cashmere met in familiar intercourse with all the shades of caste and colour producible in Hindoostan. The king was supreme within the palace, where the forms of the old Mogul Court, together with its etiquette, were still kept up with a strict adherence to the shadow of royalty which lingered on the threshold of Hindoostan. Another flicker, and it had passed away ! been deposited with those of MacPherson's Ossian, where they can be seen at any time by curious inquirers :— And in those days there was an aged Chief, their ruler, who was called by the name of Pammelech. And this Pammelech was great in the land; and whoever was hungry, or whose friends were hungry, did come unto him and say "Oh! my Lord Pammelech, give unto me and unto my friends a loaf and a fish, and whatsoever thou requirest of me I will do." Then the heart of the Chief was lifted up within him-for he said, Surely all the great ones of the land do serve me, and I give unto all men.” But they said unto him-" Not so, my Lord; for many do come unto the man Johan, and he giveth unto them, nor requireth that they should serve him in return." And when Pammelech heard this, he was very sorry, and did eat the bread of vexation for many days. And when many days had elapsed, he arose and girded his loins, and consulted with his friends how he might kill Johan, and take unto himself the distribution of his loaves and fishes. Now tidings of this came to the ears of Johan, as he sat within his house; and he was sore dismayed, for Pammelech was very powerful and mighty. So he said to his friends,-"Let us arise and go unto the Chief, and ask of him if he meaneth to do this evil unto me; and from his countenance we shall see if he is evilly disposed." Then they arose and went to the Street Tortuous, where dwelt Pamme lech, and did knock, and the door was opened unto them. And when the Chief saw them, he looked sourly on them, even as though he had swallowed vinegar, and said unto them" Wherefore have ye come hither ?" And Johan said "They have told me, oh! my Lord, that thou dost purpose to slay me, and take away my goods for thyself! Wherefore I have come to ask of thee if those reports which have reached my ears be true ?" And he gave unto Pammelech a paper, wherein was written all the good that he, Johan, had done. But Pammelech answered harshly, and said "What will be, will be! Go thy way now, and in time thou wilt know what will happen!" Then Johan went away very sorrowful, for he saw that the Angel of Death was waiting for him. And when some days had passed, Pammelech stood up in the council of the people, and demanded that Johan should be slain,-" For," he said, "He is old and feeble, and cannot rule over his lands as he should. "It is but a short time ago since many of his subjects rose up against him, and went nigh to slaying him." And when they heard this, they were wroth, and allowed Pammelech and his wicked friends to slay Johan, and cast out his body to the fowls of the air and the beasts of the field. But when the people saw that Johan was slain, they were very sorry, and said unto Pammelech,-"Behold, thou hast slain a better man than thyself, that though mightst get for thyself his lands, and his loaves and fishes. "I will not interfere in this matter myself; for when I did slay Johan, I was even as a man who has thrust his fingers into the fire, and to whom no advantage has accrued therefrom. "But if ye will promise to serve me faithfully, I will give unto you my servant Owl-el-Ood, who is a great slayer of the sons of men. "He will kill for you the son of Johan, and you will have his loaves and fishes to satisfy your hunger withal." So, when his plans were prepared, Owl-el-Ood stood forth and accused the son of Johan of many offences, and did bring forth many false witnesses. But the people said,-" We do not believe thee and them; call forth men whom we may trust." Then did Owl-el-Ood summon as witnesses two overseers whom Johanel-Company had placed over the estates of his son. And when the son of Johan heard this he was glad for he said, "I have fought for these men, and they have risen to honour by my means. "Doubtless they will tell the truth concerning me, and my innocence shall be established." But the overseers did even as the other witnesses, and did state what was false concerning the son of Johan. So that the people clamoured exceedingly,- Slay him slay him!-for he is not fit to live !" 66 But those that were wise did say"Not so; for his guilt has not been established !" * * The MS. here breaks off abruptly. A fragment has been discovered, containing part of the defence of the son of Johan, and his lament over the injustice of the treatment he received, and utter falsehood and ingratitude of the overseers; but it is too imperfect to quote. Should anything more be discovered, we will give it at length hereafter. DRYASDUST ORIENTALIS. ABOUT IDEAS. THE word IDEA expresses the objects of the intelleet; and the question—whence are these objects derived? was formerly argued with great acrimony, and must |