Often the finest natures are the first to fall victims to the absence of salutary restraint, or they plough their way to wisdom through bitter experience, finding that “gem above price” when it is probably too late to be of use to them. The wildnesses and consequent _escapades_ of such boys have tended to lower the European character very considerably in the estimation of the natives; and the sepoys, and above all, the veteran native officers, must, and I am convinced do, feel strongly their being subjected to the control and caprice of such striplings. It is, perhaps, an unavoidable consequence of our anomalous rule in India, that the native should in no case be allowed to command the European; but, wherever possible, we should at least avoid placing hoary age and madcap inexperience in such a degrading juxtaposition. I have known such youths (truth obliges me to include myself amongst the number) order about, and not unfrequently use harsh and unbecoming language to venerable native officers, whose silver beards, and breasts covered with medals, spoke of many a campaign, and services rendered to the state, before probably even the stripling’s sire was in existence. As the empire of opinion—the awe which our superior energy and science have inspired—dies away, and even now it is on the wane—it will be well to have a store of affection on which to fall back—an anchorage in the hearts of the people of India, when our power over their prejudices has relaxed its hold. Chattermohun Ghose, having, as a preliminary proceeding, given me a list of things which I _must have_—Bengal indispensables—and having been duly authorized to procure the same, he very soon made his appearance with about a dozen and a half of coolies or porters, bearing, amongst other articles, a camp-table, a cane-bottom sleeping-cot, a _setringie_, or cotton carpet, about one-third the size of my room, two chairs, some Chinese chinaware, and copper cooking-utensils, and a huge basin, something of the shape of Mambrino’s helmet, on an iron tripod stand, which it puzzled me sorely to guess the use of. “What do you call this, Chattermohun?” said I; “is it a chafing-dish, or what?” “Chafey-dish! no, Sar; that call _chillumchee_, for wash hand, with ablution—all gentilmen have chillumchee.” The appendages of the toilet, by the way, and the manner in which it is performed, in India, amongst Europeans, differ so essentially from those of home, that they excite considerable surprise in the new comer. “Master, I think, will want mil’tary coat,” said my grand purveyor! “Faith! that’s true,” said I; “and it reminds me that I have some red cloth, furnished by Messrs. Welsh and Stalker, for the express purpose.” “Ver well, Sar; then I bring dhirgee (tailor), make up in room; same time, I bring small piece yellow-cloth for facing; also one _ishilki_ sash, and reg’lation sword, all complit.” “Bring a tailor!” said I; “what, do your tailors here go out to work?”