The _Fraush_, or furniture-keeper, is generally a Mussulman, and receives about four or five rupees monthly: his dress corresponding with that of a first-rate _mosaulchy_, or an inferior _khedmutgar_. The duty of this menial, among Europeans, consists chiefly in cleaning the furniture, putting up, or taking down beds, (which, in India, is always effected without the aid of a carpenter,) beating carpets, preparing and trimming the lights, opening and shutting the doors for guests, handing chairs, setting tables for meals, together with a variety of minutiæ of a similar description. Among the natives, the office comprehends far more laborious employments, among which the arrangement of tents may be adduced: in this they aid the _kalashies_, or tent-men, reserving to themselves the performance of whatever relates to the interior. According to the account of Abu Fazil, who wrote regarding the establishment of the Emperor Akber, that monarch retained no less than one thousand _fraushes_, for the purpose of attending his encampments, or parties of pleasure. These, however numerous, must have had plenty to do; for we find that ‘the equipage, on such occasions, consisted of 1000 elephants, 500 camels, 400 carts, and 1000 men, escorted by 500 cavalry. There were employed in this service 1000 _fraushes_, 500 pioneers, 100 water-carriers, 50 carpenters, 50 tent-makers, 50 link-men, 30 workers in leather, and 150 sweepers.’ The number of large tents was prodigious; but some idea may be entertained of their amount, when it is stated, that the royal precinct was enclosed by _konauts_ (walls of cloth) eight feet high; and, in the whole, nearly two miles in length! Such a display in this country, would attract half the population to witness its enormity! The _Mater_, or sweeper, is considered the lowest menial in every family: his _cast_ is held in execration, on account of the filthiness of his occupations. There are, nevertheless, various stages, or classes, even among these abhorred people; of which the _hullalcore_ may be considered the lowest, while the _loll-baygies_ assume the upper rank of infamy. But, however much they may arrogate to themselves, in consequence of such distinctions of _cast_, all are considered, by both Hindus and Mussulmans, to be equally impure, alike polluting whatever they touch. Hence, it would be considered the height of disrespect, were a _mater_, in the service of a native gentleman, to handle any part of his master’s raiment, or to step on the carpet intended for his master’s seat: as to touching his cooking utensils, &c. that would be an unpardonable offence, and subject the delinquent, not simply to private, but to public, castigation.