1 HISTORY OF TI.IE SIKHS,
2 275
3 operation. We began by constructing a. galvanic
4 battery, and with an electrical apparatus, supplied
5 from the Agra depot, by order of the Governor of
6 the North-western Provinces, the late Lord Met¬
7 calfe, we accompanied the political, agent to Lahore
8 in the end of 1836. After some delay, a day was
9 appointed for electrifying the Maharajah. The
10 .machine was set up and the jar charged, but a
11 difficulty arose on the part of his Highness’s at¬
12 tendants, who were afraid that the shock, might be
13 attended by fatal consequences. At length the
14 Maharajah begged of them to be quiet, and said he
15 would take the Biglee (electricity.) We purposely
16 put a small charge in the Leyden phial, and the
17 Maharajah received it without evincing any par¬
18 ticular emotion. On witnessing the slight effect
19 on their master, all the courtiers entreated that we
20 would give them a shock ; and this time we re¬
21 solved to give them its full effect! The Minister
22 Dhyan Singh joined hands with Jemadar Khoo-
23 sliyal Singh, and he with others, until a chain was
24 formed oi the whole party present in the durbar.
25 The jar being now charged to the full extent, they
26 received a powerful shock, which made them all
27 jump. Not making allowance for the difference in
28 the charge, the Maharajah naturally received the
29 credit of possessing a stouter heart and stronger
30 nerves than any of his suite; and this first trial
31 was satisfactory to all parties. Khooshyal Singh
32 suggested, that we should teach some one the art
33 Of electrifying the Maharajah ; but to this proposal
34 ‘ ' " t 2