Page:Lord Amherst and the British Advance Eastwards to Burma.djvu/192

184 at night, when their ladies conducted them to their palanquins. They brought a numerous train of female attendants, among them the old nurse to Lakshmí. a laughing old woman, a sort of buffoon. They also brought many splendid presents.'

Some little time later Lady Amherst received a translation of the account of this interview given in a Gwalior vernacular paper—the Court Journal, let us call it.

'On the evening appointed my wives proceeded to the house. Lady Amherst deputed some ladies to meet them. and conduct them into the Zenana. After taking their seats, mutual inquiries after each other's health having been made, some pleasing conversation on various topics ensued, after which the party was entertained by the singing of some English Nautch girls. The visit lasted three hours, when my wives took occasion to present to Lady Amherst the articles which they had brought with them for that purpose, viz. a female elephant, twenty-four trays of jewels, and twenty-seven trays of muslin, &c., which her ladyship did them the honour to accept. After expressing her approval of the elephant. Lady Amherst said she would eat the air upon it (take an airing upon it) the following day. Her ladyship presented them with atr and pawn, and conducted them to the lip of the carpet. The English Nautch girls,' says Lady Amherst, 'were no less than Sarah and Miss Payne, who had been presented to Lakshmí by name. I told them that in England it was the custom for young ladies of rank to occupy themselves constantly, and music was studied by them and was one of their amusements.'

A little further on we get the wives' own account of the visit, which is very characteristic. It is