Page:Letters from India Vol 2.pdf/270

 because he pleased to think I do it well.’ It is quite true, and the incredulous uncle is now convinced of it; though very few natives could possibly be brought to believe that any patronage could be given without jobbing, and hardly any without bribery. Our own baboo is very anxious to succeed Setanaut, but we are so near going away that it would be hard to deprive the next dynasty of the only man that knows the moniéed usages of the house; and, indeed, we only suppose he is anxious to go because he, with the other servants, are all growing fidgety about a change of masters, a thing they cannot abide. It is a great object to be on the list of public servants, and the man who paints flowers for me gave Wright an excellent petition yesterday. It was directed to 'Miss Wright, Esquire,' and said that he was quite happy now, but that before we went he should 'like to enlist under the mighty banners of Establishment List,’ and begged her honour to mention it.

And then there is the ‘Tenasserim’ steamer coming up the river, in which there is a silver betel-nut box for me—a curiosity from Ava— sent by Mrs. M——, who says it is to be had for 1507rs.———the mere cost of the silver—and I