1 other products of Hie country, much beyond what tlwy could
2 really use during their sojourn. This circumstance, 1 believe,
3 lias led to an alteration in the custom.
4 The most eminent ot' the visitors at that time, wire Lord
5 Gifford, brother-in-law of the Governor-General of Italia, ami
6 the unfortunate Colonel King, who afterwards (in consenttenoe
7 of imagi ting that imputations were thrown upon his courage
8 and ability) committed suicide. We sometimes dined together
9 ai the Maharajah’s; and it may, perhaps, appear very ridiculous
10 to those who are unacquainted with oriental customs, to hi
11 informed, that on these occasions, we were obliged to send our
12 ow n cooks, our own wines, and otir own plate, and oihe culinary,
13 or, gastronomic apparatus. The Maharajah would make his
14 appearance during dinner, but, of course, would ne ver partake
15 ul' our repast,} and, to show us particular attention, he ordered
16 preserves, fruit, ice, and sweetmeats, to be sent to ns irom
17 his own kitchen. Besides this kind of hospitality, he would
18 frequently minister to our entertainment in other ways, as by
19 xhibitions of fireworks, illuminations on the river, music,
20 dancing-girls (bayaderes), Src.
21 The king- of France professed to < ore the kthgVevil, by
22 laying the hand upon the patient; and the kings of England
23 to cure epilepsy, by blowing thrice upon the person affected
24 with that disease—the Maharajah emulates their example, by
25 professing to cure all cases of paralysis, although he adopts a
26 more substantial and effective method of operation. He admin¬
27 isters, for this purpose, a majoon (electuary) the ingredients of
28 Which, as he informed me, are cinnabar, anuen rdivm orientals,
29 Hiid mu vomicu , with thirty-five spices. It is prepared as
30 fellows—The cinnabar is boiled in butter, and the mix vomica,
31 anucardium, and spices, are then added} these ingredients are
32 then ground, or, rubbed together, with a sufficient quantity of
33 honey, in order, to form an electuary, a process which occupies
34 three days. The dose (twice a day) is from five to ten grains.
35 'Ihe ehciuuriuin uncia vomica’, of Timur Shah, which the
36 Hakims still consider a valuable remedy, is a similar compound,
37 voc. t.
38 Y