is an imposition on public prostitutes, a duty upon the
societies of dancing-girls,--those seminaries from which Mr. Hastings
has selected an administrator of justice and governor of kingdoms. Debi
Sing thought it expedient to farm this tax,--not only because he
neglected no sort of gain, but because he regarded it as no contemptible
means of power and influence. Accordingly, in plain terms, he opened a
legal brothel, out of which he carefully reserved (you may be sure) the
very flower of his collection for the entertainment of his young
superiors: ladies recommended not only by personal merit, but, according
to the Eastern custom, by sweet and enticing names which he had given
them. For, if they were to be translated, they would sound,--Riches of
my Life, Wealth of my Soul, Treasure of Perfection, Diamond of Splendor,
Pearl of Price, Ruby of Pure Blood, and other metaphorical descriptions,
that, calling up dissonant passions to enhance the value of the general
harmony, heightened the attractions of love with the allurements of
avarice. A moving seraglio of these ladies always attended his progress,
and were always brought to the splendid and multiplied entertainments
with which he regaled his Council. In these festivities, whilst his
guests were engaged with the seductions of beauty, the intoxications of
the most delicious wines of France, and the voluptuous vapor of perfumed
India smoke, uniting the vivid satisfactions of Europe with the torpid
blandishments of Asia, the great magician himself, chaste in the midst
of dissoluteness, sober in the centre of debauch, vigilant in the lap of
negligence and oblivion, attended with an eagle's eye the moment for
thrusting in business, and at such times was able to carry without
difficulty points of shameful enormity, which at other hours he would
not so much as have dared to mention to his employers, young men rather
careless and inexperienced than intentionally corrupt. Not satisfied
with being pander to their pleasures, he anticipated and was purveyor to
their wants, and supplied them with a constant command of money; and by
these means he reigned with an uncontrolled dominion over the province
and over its governors.

For you are to understand that in many things we are very much
misinformed with regard to the true seat of power in India. Whilst we
were proudly calling India a British government, it was in substance a
government of the lowest, basest, and most flagitious of