Page:Sir Thomas Munro and the British Settlement of the Madras Presidency.djvu/45

 IVAJ^ WITH HAIDAR ALI 37

drawing up my legs, I lost by exposing my neck ; and I generally chose rather to cool my heels than my head. This bed served me till Alexander went last to Bengal, when he gave me an Europe camp- couch. On this great occasion I bought a pillow and a carpet to lay under me, but the unfortunate curtains were condemned to make pillow-cases and towels ; and now, for the first time in India, I laid my head on a pillow.

' But this was too much good fortune to bear with moderation. I began to grow proud, and resolved to live in great style! For this purpose I bought two table-spoons, and two tea-spoons, and another chair — for I had but one before — a table, and two table-cloths. But my prosperity was of short duration, for, in less than three months, I lost three of my spoons, and one of my chairs was broken by one of John Napier's companions. This great blow reduced me to my original obscurity, from which all my attempts to emerge have hitherto proved in vain.

'My dress has not been more splendid than my furniture. I have never been able to keep it all of a piece ; it grows tattered in one quai-ter, while I am establishing funds to repair it in another; and my coat is in danger of losing the sleeves, while I am pulling it off to try on a new waistcoat.

' My travelling expeditions have never been performed with much grandeur or ease. My only conveyance is an old horse, who is now so weak, that, in all my journeys, I am always obliged to walk tw^o- thirds