sion in his Highness the Nizam's army, and the sooner I went up to Aurungabad the better. I was of course astonished at this, but without any hesitation I accepted it at once, feeling very sure I had found a better opening than before. Only, how to get free of Baxter's? Mr Newnham wrote to Mr Osborne asking that my indentures might be cancelled. Of course Mr Osborne was surprised, but very kindly said he would not stand in my way; that I was a fortunate fellow to have such a friend and get such an appointment, and next day gave me back my indentures.

แ

I find in a letter from Mr Newnham to my mother that "he is happy to tell her, her son will now quit the shop and move in his proper sphere. The Nizam's service," he continues, "holds out the most flattering prospects; and if he qualifies himself in points of duty and in acquaintance with the native languages, the road to high and lucrative employment will be open to him. He will remove to my house, where he will remain till he is ready to proceed to Aurungabad, where his military service will commence. I shall be very happy if this change in his circumstances should prove agreeable to you and Mr Taylor. He is a fine intelligent lad, and I saw him, with regret, articled to a house which is not in as flourishing a state as you were led to believe.-Yours very faithfully,

"WILLIAM NEWNHAM."

I removed to a small bungalow within Mr Newnham's compound," and a Parsee servant was appointed to attend me, who spoke good English; but I had not been idle, and could make myself understood pretty well, my ear guiding me to a good pronunciation.

1824.]

DELIVERANCE.

25

Arrangements for my military outfit proceeded. I needed of course uniform, tents, clothes, &c., and my generous friend, Mr Newnham, gave me a splendid chestnut Arab, which had belonged to his late wife. How pleased he was that I was out of "that shop "—that I was no longer "Baxter's boy"! indeed I am sure he felt his own dignity insulted as long as I was there. "Now," he said, "you are Lieutenant Meadows Taylor of his Highness the Nizam's service, and we all drink your health, and wish you success."

One other temptation assailed me. Mr Shotton, the head of the great mercantile firm of that name, pressed me to throw aside military service and join his House. The prospects were very tempting, and Mr Newnham was greatly troubled as to what was best for me to do. Finally it was arranged that Mr Newnham and Mr Wodehouse should decide; and their fiat went forth that I was to be a soldier. They were right; the great House perished too, and I should have been again on the world.

So when my kit was ready I left Bombay. Mr Newnham had generously advanced every rupee of my outfit, and I was to repay him as I could; and on the 18th November 1824 I started for Aurungabad.

26

CHAPTER III.

1825-29.

WHAT was I to see in the new strange world now opening before me? What was I to do and to be? My heart was full of hope, and my ambitions ran high that morning as I parted from my kind friend Mr Newnham, whose last words rang in my ears-" As soon as you have proved that you can be useful, you will be made useful," he said; "be diligent and be steady, and I have no fear for you. Now go." My things had been sent on in advance, and what little I had with me was already in the boat at the Apollo Bunder, in charge of Dorabjee, my Parsee servant. We pushed off as I entered the boat, and dashed away over the clear water. The harbour was gay with shipping, and the giant Ghâts in the background were wreathed with fleecy white clouds about their summits. I was in wild spirits, and could scarcely restrain myself, it was so glorious and so beautiful.

I found my horse and pony, tents and baggage, at Panwell, where I landed, and in the evening went on to Chowke. There I had the first sight of a splendid Indian encampment; the Resident at Nagpore, Sir Richard Jenkins, being on his way to Bombay. The

1825-29.]

THE FIRST MARCH.

27

The stately white tents,

scene was very strange to me. the camels depositing their burthens, the huge elephants, the native gentlemen arriving in palankeens, surrounded by their numberless attendants, the camp bazaar, with its booths and stalls, the variety of dresses, colours, and equipments—all formed a scene of Eastern splendour such as I could never have imagined.

As I was strolling idly along, I was accosted by an officer, and we fell into friendly chat; and when he knew where I was going, and who I was, he invited me to breakfast, assuring me that any friend of Mr Newnham's would be welcome to Sir Richard.

I was kindly received by the Resident, and again invited to dinner in the evening, and I felt no small gratification at such kind notice being bestowed on me.

Next morning I reached the foot of the Ghâts, and proceeded by the military road. How grand it was! Deep glens and ravines, bounded by tremendous precipices; trees and flowers all new to me; and fresh invigorating air, so cold and bracing, and so like, I thought, to dear old England!

On the 24th November I arrived at Poona, and was hospitably entertained by the officers of H.M. 67th Regiment at their mess. I was shown all the sights during our evening rides, and the temple where the "Peshwah" sat in state to see the English annihilated by his army, which, instead, was defeated at Kirkee, in 1817,—and many other scenes of interest; but I knew little then of Dekhan history.

We reached Ahmednugger on the 29th, and were hospitably entertained by Mr Seton, Assistant Commissioner. I spent a most interesting day there, and finally arrived at Aurungabad on the 5th December.

The last marches had been through dull dreary country, endless stony plains, with scarcely a tree to break the monotony. But as I approached Aurungabad, I saw the beautiful dome and minarets of the tomb of Aurungzeeb's daughter glistening in the sun, and troops at drill in the parade-ground. My tent was pitched near the mess-house; but Dr Young came forward to meet me, and hospitably insisted that I should be his guest till I had a house of my own. I reported myself to the officer in command after breakfast, was put in orders, and directed to attend drill.

A few days later, it was arranged that I should live with Lieutenant John Stirling, who had recently joined the 6th Regiment from the Bombay army, and who had a house much too large for him. He was a noble fellow, both in person and disposition, and his untimely death ended, too soon, a friendship to which I look back as one of my greatest pleasures.

I was not long in learning my drill, and was put in charge of the two centre companies, was shown how to 'keep the books and pay accounts, which soon became

very easy to me. The adjutant took great pains with me; and I engaged a Moonshee or native teacher, and began Hindostanee in earnest.

I witnessed a curious spectacle at Aurungabad, in the shape of a miracle-play, which was annually performed under the auspices of one Major Freeman, who commanded the invalid battalion at Aurungabad. During the early Mussulman period, the kings of Beejapoor had received and endowed many Portuguese Christian missions, and one had been located at Aurungabad, where delicious oranges and purple and white grapes still attest the fact of its former presence. A miracle