proved a hopeless task, as his continued habits of intoxication led at last to a paralytic seizure, and he became both speechless and insensible. He lived till the 8th of August, and then died without apparently further suffering. I went to visit him a few days before he breathed his last, and as he revived a little, his sons believed him to be sensible. I think, perhaps, he was conscious for a few moments, for he took my hand in one of his, while he passed the other all over my face and person, trying the while to speak, but no articulate sound came from his lips. I promised his sons, who were in bitter grief, that I would return if he revived at all; but he did not, and passed away quite quietly.

I made every arrangement for his obsequies, and for the expenses necessary for their performance; and the morning after his death attended the funeral in full dress as a mark of respect. When I went to the house, I found the late Rajah dressed in rich garments, with all his jewels on, set out on a terrace in the courtyard, the body placed leaning against a wall, and seated on his velvet cushion of state, and his sword and shield lying beside him. The face was disfigured by paralysis, bloated, and under the pale hue of death was most distressing to see; but all his retainers, many of the chiefs of clans, and friends were bidding him a last farewell, and were saluting him. When the ceremony was concluded, the body was taken up, and placed sitting in an open chair, and then, taking his two eldest sons by the hand, I led them after him, amidst the firing of guns and the wailing of the crowds all around us, to the place of cremation, where, divested of its jewels, the body was placed on the pyre, to which the eldest son applied the first torch; and as the wood

1845.]

PID NAIK'S OBSEQUIES.

177

had been thoroughly saturated with oil and ghee, or boiled butter, together with camphor and incense, it burst into a fierce blaze, and the cremation was soon complete. I remained with the boys till all the ceremonies were ended, and then conducted them home,— paid a visit of condolence to the sorrowing widow, and then took my leave.

It would have been indelicate, it appeared to me, to open the subject of my succession at once; but when the first few days of mourning had expired, I held a court, in order to explain publicly what I had previously made known privately to all.

There was at first some little difficulty with the heads of departments. I laid down my plan of proceeding very decidedly, and adhered to it. At first they greatly wished that the Ranee should have a voice in all that went on, and that nothing should be done without her concurrence. A few trifling orders even had been given in her name; but I cut all this very short, and distinctly stated that I would stand no sort of interference whatever; and to put an end to all controversy on the subject, I went to visit the Ranee after my Durbar was over, and she protested vehemently, not only that she would never attempt to hinder me in any way, but, on the contrary, that she would assist me to the utmost of her power.

I arranged that the State seal with my signature was to be the only authorised authority for documents in the State. The seal was a mere matter of form, as all orders, receipts, and the like, were examined during the week, and on Monday mornings were produced, and explained to the little Rajah, and sealed up in his presence so as to show the people that he was in reality

M

considered their Rajah, and the head of the State. The people were glad to see him put forward, and all discontent soon subsided. Even the keys of the treasury were brought up every night and put under my pillow; and those of the stores and groceries were kept by the Ranee, as she wished to have them.

Another great blessing was vouchsafed to us; a plenteous rain fell at last, which had been sorely needed. Grain had risen in price, and I was growing anxious, for a famine seemed inevitable. The young leaves of the early grain were withering; but still all knew if rain fell it would sprout again. The wells were dry; but they filled rapidly, and in a few days the grain looked green again, and everything seemed cheerful. My lake at Bohnal was now really a noble sheet of water-good two miles from corner to corner, and six feet more in depth than the previous year. As if, too, all I had endeavoured to effect had taken place at once, I heard privately from Captain Malcolm that the Nizam was about to remit the payment of four lakhs and a half, which was still due on the old accounts. He had seen the Minister's draft of an official note on the subject, and assured me I should soon have it officially. I need not say how great a relief it would be to me when it

came.

I continued to pay frequent visits to the Ranee, and took her and the Rajah drives in my new carriage. Her ecstasies were very great, and her remarks most amusing when she was driven to places where she had never been before. I visited Rajah Pid Naik's family also very often. He had left no will, nor any directions as to the disposal of his property or estates; and as, several times when he was sensible, he had put the hands of

1845.]

TRUSTEE FOR PID NAIK'S FAMILY.

179

his wife and children into mine before all his people, so now they all requested that I would take sole charge of their estates and affairs, and manage them for the benefit of all-and I consented. The head steward and accountant, with all their papers, were then made over to me, and so long as I had charge of their affairs, I never had trouble with any of the family.

Poor Pid Naik! with many faults he had many kindly qualities; but he was utterly unstable, quite unable to resist temptation, and too obstinate and puffed up by the people about him to attend to orders issued by Government. He fancied himself Rajah of Shorapoor, and at heart desired to gain the succession for his eldest son. Brahmins, mostly of bad character, had obtained complete ascendancy over him, and he was too weak, and too credulous and superstitious, to resist their suggestions. I do not think he ever went into extreme wrong but once, when, if he did not actually embrace crime, he certainly shook hands with it. The temptation was great, for if the Rajah had been killed, his son would have become Rajah in his stead. Pid Naik left eight children,-six by his excellent wife Mádama, one by the other wife, and another illegitimate.

180

CHAPTER X.

1846.

I was obliged to be absent for a short time on private business, and there had been many attempts made to induce the Ranee to defy my authority, but as yet she appeared firm. She had, however, set up a new paramour, one of the menials, and under such circumstances was not to be depended upon, and I was obliged to watch very narrowly. Not long after my return to Shorapoor a letter was intercepted by one of my Beydurs, who had obtained it for a few rupees from the messenger that was to have taken it to Hyderabad. The writing and the seal were those of an old Brahmin of rank, who I knew aspired to be head manager under the Ranee, and the letter was addressed to one of the Nizam's confidential servants, urging him to send 1200 Arabs and Rohillas without delay.

Before the copy of the letter and my report could reach General Fraser by express, Captain Malcolm wrote to me privately that 400 Arabs had actually left Hyderabad, and begged me to stop them.

I showed this letter to the Ranee in confidence, and warned her; but she protested entire innocence, and