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 was twisted like ropes, and he said that he used to keep the knife and ropes with which he despatched his victims hid in his hair.

Thursday, August 4. We had our usual levee, and George went to see the Asiatic College, where I called for him, and he drove to Mrs. Wilson’s Orphan Asylum. The children have been working a table-cover I gave them, and have done it beautifully, and I paid for it and brought it home.

Friday, August 5. We went to Mrs. Leache’s benefit at the Town Hall; the acting was really very good. All amateur acting, except the female performers; but the heat! Even the most hardened Indians say they never felt anything like it. There was a great crowd; very small punkahs; and nothing but a hot steam coming in at the windows. ‘This gives you a perfect idea of our September,’ they say with an air of perspiring complacency. ‘So much the greater shame for your August,’ is all I can say in answer. Everybody has been, or is, ill except us. Our English constitution still keeps up.