battle. They do not
blacken each other's faces by loud abuse, but by jests spoken in a
small voice.

The nature of the young men of high caste is as the nature of us
Rajputs. They do not use opium, but they delight in horses, and sport
and women, and are perpetually in debt to the moneylender. They shoot
partridge and they are forced to ride foxes because there are no wild
pig here. They know nothing of hawking or quail-fighting, but they
gamble up to the hilt on all occasions and bear losses laughing. Their
card-play is called Baraich [Bridge?]. They belittle their own and the
achievements of their friends, so long as that friend faces them. In
his absence they extol his deeds. They are of cheerful countenance.
When they jest, they respect honour. It is so also with their women.
The Nurses in the Hospital of my Baharanee where I resort for society
jest with me as daughters with a father. They say that they will be
stricken with grief if I return to India. They call me Dada which is
father also in their tongue. Though I am utterly useless they are
unwearied of me. They themselves hasten to restore me my crutches when
I let them fall. None of these women lament their dead openly. The
eldest son of my Baharanee at the English Hospital where I am made
welcome, was slain in battle. The next morning after the news my
Baharanee let loose the plate-pianos [turned on the gramophones] for
the delectation of the wounded. It comes into my mind to suggest to you
that our women are unable to stand by themselves.

When the Badshah commanded me to his Palace to receive the medal, I saw
all the wonders and entertainments of the city of London. There was
neither trouble nor expense. My Baharanee gave orders I should inhabit
her own house in that city. It was in reality a palace filled with
carpets, gilt furniture, marbles, mirrors, silks, velvets, carvings,
etc., etc. Hot water ran in silver pipes to my very bedside. The
perfumed baths were perpetually renewed. When it rained daily I walked
in a glass pavilion filled with scented flowers. I inhabited here ten
days. Though I was utterly useless they were unwearied of me. A
companion was found me. He was a Risaldar of Dekkani Horse, a man of
family, wounded in the arms. We two received our medals together. We
saw the King's Palace, and the custom of the Guard Mount in the
mornings daily. Their drill is like stone walls, but the nature of the
English music is without any meaning. We two