LIFE IN INDIA.

THE author of this work* has no other pretension to being a novel-writer than knowing India well, and being able to describe it. But then, this is all that is now-a-days thought necessary by a novel- writer. The ability to conceive character, to represent scenes dra- matically, to reason respecting the motives and actions of human beings, or to write even sensibly upon the affairs of society, areby no means considered essential in the writers of a description of work which ought to consist chiefly of such materials. The knowledge which is alone thought indispensable, is a knowledge of the locale— be it India, Persia, Greece, or Ireland ; and thus an accessary is me- tamorphosed into a principal, at the expense of the entire value of the legitimate production. A book of 1 raves in disguise is, however, not a contemptible thing ; and we are content to learn the manners and sentiments of a distant and a remarkable people in any way. The author, or authoress rather, of Life in India, is thoroughly well acquainted with the routine of European life at Calcutta, and in the country stations : being of an inquiring turn, she has also kept her eyes open to the face of the country, and the charac- ter of the natives. It is simply in this point of view that we value Life in India: except for this distinctive difference, there is no marble-covered novel of the circulating library which would not contain five hundred equally clever and equally remarkable per- formances. The episode of the Pindaree Chief, 0 Meer Sing, is certainly somewhat more animated and characteristic than the history of the loves and marriages of the civil and military ser-. vants of the company ; and it is here, if anywhere, that the writer has disclosed a modicum of that animation and rapidity of descrip- tion which indicate an original conception. India is a fine theme for modern romance: if a Sir WALTER SCOTT should ever arise among the employ6s of Leadenhall Street, we see no end to the treasures concealed among the palaces, the tombs, and the fortresses of the descendants of AURENGZEBE, and their valiant opponents and allies, the rajahpoots of the hill countries. The brilliancy of the subject has even thrown a gleam of light upon the otherwise pedestrian genius of the author of Life in India. The exploits of 0 Meer Sing and his favourite steed, Buxy Allus, show brightly from amidst the tales of Cal- cutta balls and weddings. We make room for an extract from this portion of the three volumes.

0 Meer Sing, the Pindaree robber, seeks refuge with Ali Cawn, the Cutwab or head of police, in the disguise of a fakir. The Cutwab, 0 Meer Sing's ancient ally, consents to conceal him, but with a view to betray him. The following is an account of their interview.

" In a few minutes the door at the upper end of the room opened, the Cutwab's arm appeared, placing a bag of parched grain and sugar on the floor, and it was again shut. 0 Meer Sing eat his rice with good appe- tite, and finished his meal with a draught of cold water ; then, knowing that he could not expect to see his friend until all was quiet, as the ap penance of intercourse between them would excite suspicion, lay down to rest, and slept without moving, until a hand on his shoulder made him start up in the dark, and instinctivelygrasp his dagger, but before he had drawn it from his sheath, he recollected his situation, and in silence fol. lowed his conductor into the adjoining chamber, who, shutting the door as before, demanded in a low voice, What could make him appear at such a moment as the present, when he must know that all the world was up in arms against him, and how he could suppose that he (Ali Cawn) could conceal him'

" I know,' said 0 Meer Sing, that it is not the first time that you and I have blinded the whole world, nor will it be the last. Nothing can be easier than you keeping me quiet now. You have only to give me lodging to-morrow, and after that let the hunters come—the tiger is fled' But who is to stand between me and the hunters ?' demanded Cawn. The doings of a great man like me cannot be hid, and I shall have trouble to account for this night's visit ; it will cost me my place.'

* Life in India, or the English at Calcutta, 3 vols. London, Colburn. " I Then,' said 0 Meer Sing, seeing where the difficulty lay, I shall give you a lakh of rupees to pay the charges' " ' Yes, my friend,' said Cawn ; that is, when this trouble is past ; but as that is not likely, it would be wiser in me to wash my hands of the matter'

" ' No,' said 0 Meer Sing, clearly perceiving that his good friend was balancing in his own mind the wisdom of trusting to chance and the word of a decoit for his lakh of rupees, or delivering him up and re- ceiving half the sum as his certain reward ; but knowing that he was completely in his power, he continued, No wise man washes his hands when he has rupees to receive, and, if you doubt my word, meet me to- morrow night in the gardens of the Taje, and your eyes shall convince you.' " Did you say a lakh of rupees ? ' demanded Cawn. " I Yes; I said a lakh of rupees ; and if I do not give them into your own hands to-morrow night in the Taje gardens, then deliver me into the hands of the sepoys as a warning to all those who break faith : and they would every one of them be as glad of it as they are to take their rest after a long day's march' " And if I do run such a risk for you,' said the Cutwab, where are you to hide yourself during the day ? You know my house is no place for a fakir after sunrise.'

" "fhat I must trust to your wisdom,' replied 0 Meer Sing, well know- ing that he was quite safe in the custody of Cawn, until the money was paid.

" ' And if I do find a place for you, what will you do with yourself after ?' asked Cawn.

" I cross down to Oude,' said 0 Meer Sing, endeavouring to mislead his interrogator, being always unwilling that his friends should know more of his movements than was required for his assistance. When the first blaze of anger is burnt out, I shall be forgotten' " Well, well,' said Cawn, ' I must take care of you this day, and though you perform your part well, I would advise you not to show your- self to too many eyes. You can before sunrise follow me into the fort, as if you were going to worship at the Pearl Mosque. Do not come too near me, but observe the way I take, and I shall find a place for you. Now sleep,' and, without adding a word, Cawn opened the door into the fakir's cell, and when his guest had entered, shut it in silence, and de- parted.

" As soon as 0 Meer Sing found himself alone, he stole softly out to visit his faithful steed, and providedfor his comfort. He knew that he had work to perform which would try his mettle, and though, like his master, he could do upon occasion with little of either sleep or food, yet when it was in his power, his master wished to give him the refreshment of both. 0 Meer, however, took care, when lie was in sight of his friend's house, to prostrate himself as if in prayer, well knowing that if he was observed, the act of seeking a solitary place for his devotion was but a duty incumbent on a good Mussulman. When he had caressed and fed his favourite, he returned by the route he went, not forgetting to prostrate himself, with his face to the east as he observed the first stroke of dawn mark the horizon. His host appeared at the same time completely armed, and with great dignity proceeded to the fort. The sentinels all made their salaams as he passed onto the beautiful white marble mosque, built by one of the Mogul emperors, in the days of their splendour, for his private devotions. Here he prostrated himself, with his forehead on the earth, now and then raising his face to catch the first rays of the rising sun. The fakir did the same, but whether his prostrations were longer, with the intention to conceal himself from the observation of the crowd of worshippers, or in greater fervour, is only known to himself ; though his forehead was in the dust, he still kept an observant eye upon the movements of his protector, who, when he had finished his morning service, walked away with the same gravity that he had all along supported. When he had got to a sufficient distance, 0 Meer Sing rose and followed him, with his eyes fixed on the ground, until they reached the rampart of the fort in which the royal Ackbar had dwelt in splendour. Cawn mounted to that part of it which commands the river and adjacent country, and walked directly up to the black marble musnud*, on which Ackbar, the greatest of Mussulman Emperors used to receive petitions, and reverentially made his salaams before it. This rampart descends one hundred and twenty yards perpendicularly into the bed of the Jumna, whose waters on this side wash the walls of the fort.

" On this elevated spot the King of Nations had been in the habit of enjoying the evening air, and looking down upon the countries over which he bore sway. His long and prosperous reign, and many acts of public munificence, are not yet forgotten in Hindostan, and even to this day no native treads the rampart where he once sat in regal power, with- out making profound salaams to the musnud. The strong fort of Agra had always been the favourite residence of the Mogul Emperors, and by them had been adorned with everything which wealth could purchase or luxury invent. When All Cawn had greeted the empty throne with these marks of respect, he turned into the private apartments of royalty, his satellite still following, and crossed through the magnificent baths and dressing-rooms, the floors, walls, and ceilings of which were all equally beautiful, inlaid in the richest and most exquisite mosaic ; every flower, and even every turn in every leaf, was faithfully represented in coloured stones of every hue. Beautiful as these apartments were, they did not attract a moment's notice from those who crossed through them, and descended by a long staircase in perfect darkness to the emperor's noon-

day apartment for the hot winds. It was considerably under ground, without window or opening, save ventilators and the door by which they

had entered, and, like the rest, was altogether marble, from the roof to the floor. Several fountains cast up their cooling waters into richly- wrought basins; which overflowed with a murmuring sound, and ran off in little channels cut in the marble floor. Couches of the same material were placed in different directions. The richly-wrought gold and silver branches by which it had been lighted had long since shared the fate of

the silver roofs of the great halls, which had been torn down by the victors and shared as plunder, when the British arms put an end to the Mogul dynasty.

" When Cawn found himself in this place of security and repose, he took from under his chudder a small dark lantern, and having made the circuit of the place, and looked behind every fountain and couch, to ascertain that they were alone, he gave it to 0 Meer Sing, bidding him at the same time remember thc Taje at sunset, and advising him to keep quiet and turn his lantern, if the slightest noise gave warning of approaching footsteps. ' In the heat of the day, perhaps some of the people of the garrison may choose to repose here, but with the little light they can

take, you will never be discovered in a place of this size. Keep behind a fountain, and if you are observed, alone, and in the dark, it is natural that a devout fakir should seek such a retirement.'

"Ali Cawn then produced a small phial, and desired 0 Meer Sing to * Throne.

swear, by the most binding Hindoo oath, the holy water of the Ganges, that he' would never, in the greatest extremity, profit by or reveal the secret with which he was now going to intrust him. 0 Meer Sing took the prescribed oath, and solemnly denounced vengeance on his own head if ever he broke it.

" News is come to me,' Cawn then continued, that those will be here to-night whom it would be unsafe for you to meet, and as you and I must meet in the Talc gardens before the moon rises, mark the way you must come, and fail me at the peril of your head'

" 0 Meer Sing's black eyes flashed fire, and the intention of murdering Cawn upon the spot and instantly making his escape crossed his mind, as lie surmised that his friend was but betraying him into a trap, which would close upon him as soon as his money was paid. The thought, how- ever, was but for a moment ; he felt the impossibility of accomplishing his purpose, and making his escape at that hour of the day, when all men, Ilindoos as well as Mussulmans, were abroad at their devotions. He therefore resolved to keep faith, which might be useful to him another time, and to trust to fate and his own ingenuity for deliverance. " Cawn,' lie said, drawing himself up with a haughty air, lhave set villages in flames, and slaked them with blood, but I have never broken faith solemnly pledged. You shall have your money, but I shall accom- pany you out of the Taje gate; and, if there are those there who ought not to be there, your rupees shall be their spoil, and your soul the devil's.' " Cawn bit his lip and curled his mustachios in wrath, but he felt that this was not the time to give it vent ; and he knew that he would have time enough to arrange his plans of revenge afterwards. In the mean time, 0 Meer Sing's lakh must be secured ; if he was taken before, its payment would die with him; that done, he had too many satellites to dread his escape. He contented himself, therefore, with saying, ' By the head of Mohammed, I could in one hour hang you up to feast the Brah- mince kites, and have thanks for my zeal; but you have eaten my salt, and are safe. Follow me'

" He pressed upon a spring in the wall, an admirably-constructed door in the marble flew open, which discovered a long passage. Cawn held up the lantern, and said, Follow this, and it will lead again out, under the walls of the fort, by a long route, to the sepulchre in the Taje ; but re- member your oath, and whatever may happen to you afterwards, never, without my permission, make use of this secret'

" 0 Nicer Sing promised to follow his directions, and never to forget his oath.' It was curious to see two men, unrestrained by any feeling but that of self-interest from murdering each other on the spot where they stood, talking of oaths and promises; yet such is the empire of opinion. Cawn again pressed upon the spring, and the door moved upon its noise- less hinges, and shut as before, and he asked with a significant air,' Where do you intend at present to eat the air ?' To this 0 Meer returned a vague answer, saying, ' That must depend upon the will of others—not mine' 0 Meer Sing, as soon as Ali Cawn had departed, eat his parched grain and sugar, and slaked his thirst with the fountain flowing at his side. He longed to plunge into it and refresh himself by bathing, but he dreaded to efface the clay-marks by which he had disguised himself, and by ap- pearing too clean, betray his imposture. Knowing the'work he had to do, and his need of strength to perform it, he stretched himself down to sleep, resolving to rest until three o'clock in the afternoon, when he knew that the heat would close even the most watchful eyes. He laid himself across the door of his exit, to prevent the possibility of his missing it in the dark, and fell into a profound sleep, so completely had habit and ne- cessity given him power over himself."