1 CHARACTER OF RUNJEET SINGH. 179
2 it fully meets his view. Confidential secretaries are per-
3 petually in attendance, and are frequently called up ia
4 the night, to expedite orders, as the sudden recollection,
5 or caprice of the Mulia-Raja, suggests the issuing of them.
6 His memory is excellent, and stored with minute, as
7 well as important circumstances. His disposition is at
8 the same time watchful, and his eye quick and search-
9 ing, so that nothing escapes his observation ; while the
10 perspicacity displayed in hb appreciation of character,
11 and in tracing the motives of other's actions, gives him
12 a command and influence over all that approach him,
13 which have beeu mainly instrumental to his rapid rise.
14 With great acuteness, he has a lively imagination ; and
15 though never for an instant forgetful of any ends he may
16 have in view, there is a frankness and naivete about his
17 conversatioD, peculiarly agreeable. His observations
18 and remarks are given ordinarily in short, terse, incohe-
19 rent phrase, or in the shape of interrogatories, but they
20 are such, as remain fixed in the recollection of the person
21 to whom they are addressed, as uncommon, and as dis-
22 playing an original thinker. He has great power of dis-
23 simulation, and, under the greatest frankness of manner,
24 and even familiarity in his intercourse, can veil subtle
25 designs, and even treachery. In action he has always
26 shown himself personally brave, and collected, but his
27 plans betray no boldness or adventurous hazard. Ad-
28 dress, and cunning, nay, even corruption, have always
29 been preferred by him, as instruments of success, to any
30 dash of enterprize, calculated to excite admiration or
31 inspire awe. His fertility in expedients is wonderful,
32 and he is never at a loss for a resource in the greatest
33 diflSculiies, but many of his actions evince caprice, and
34 even instability of purpose, for the motive of them cannot
35 Y 2