Page:Advice to the Indian Aristocracy.djvu/61

 SOME BAD HABITS. I. DAY versus NIGHT. In former times, on account of constant battles between neighbouring Zamindars and on account of the frequent troubles caused by Fituridars and gangs of robbers, petty Zamindars living in the forests and near to the hills, used to wake all night to protect their property and to spend the day-time in sleeping. Their descendants even up to the present day have the same habit, and keep to it because it was the habit of their fathers. But they never think of the necessity which bred the habit in their ancestors. Their officials, ordinary visitors, etc., have to keep awake till after midnight to see such Zamindars. The Zamindar may have got accustomed to such an extraordinary habit, but how trying it is for officials and others to turn night into day! The