Page:Letters from India Vol 1.djvu/126

 than thirteen yet, and he is in such a fuss when the horses are frisky and disagreeable.

Sir Edward and Lady Ryan, and their two daughters, came to stay till Monday. We had six officers from the cantonment at dinner.

Saturday, March 26. Had a long talk with George about furnishing this house. It is in a wretched state, and Mr. ’s armchair, which I intended for my own room, I have actually been obliged to lend to the drawing-room, where everybody makes a rush for it, it is so soft; indeed, the sofas are so wretchedly hard. Had afterwards an hour’s talk with Captain Champneys on the same subject of furnishing, and about our servants’ liveries, and I think I shall have things smartened up in a little while. The furniture here is worse than that of any London hotel; but everything in India is so perishable that one year of neglect may reduce a house to the worst state.

Fanny rode to-day, and lent his horse to his friend Mr. Lay, and took a drive with me. The visitors, between boats, elephants, carriages, palanquins, all took care of them-