tives, at once places him on a footing of equality with his employer. Under such a system, it was easy for the baniayns to effect the ruin of any individual; while it was impossible for any man in distress to conceal his circumstances, so as to obtain a loan, or to extend his credit. Hence, the courts of law were full of causes in which baniayns were plaintiffs. Of late years, the case has greatly altered; for, if we except a few large concerns, such as banking-houses, and the principal merchants, who, having valuable cargoes on hand, are each under the necessity of retaining one of this gang, for the purpose of obtaining cash to make up payments, or to advance for investments, baniayns are become obsolete.

There was, formerly, little opportunity for securing money, except on mortgage, or in the Company's treasury. Few, however, now think of lending money at less than twelve per cent. which is the legal interest; and, as the Company never receive loans at that rate, except when pressed by exigency; and the great agency-houses continue to make such an immense profit as enables them to pay so high for money accommodation; the floating property belonging to individuals, with little exception, falls into their hands. Thus there is little occasion for baniayns; whose former extensive influence is now confined to the above concerns, and to the management of elephant, bullock, or other contracts. Those animals they often buy of the contractor, either for a specific sum, or an annual contingent; so as entirely to exempt him from the responsibility and the management.

This description of persons may be classed with the superior debashes of the Carnatic; and though there certainly have been found some individuals who might fairly claim exemption from the accusation, yet, generally speaking, the present baniayns, who attach themselves to the

captains of European ships, may, without the least hazard of controversion, be considered as nothing more or less than Rum-Johnnies of a larger growth. Some usurp the designation of dewan, which implies an extensive delegated power; that office, under the emperors of Hindostan, and even now in the courts of Lucknow, Hydrabad, &c. being confidential, and never bestowed but on persons in high favour.

The Darogah, Gomashtu, (factor, or superintendant,) is an office rarely held under Europeans, though extremely common in the services of native princes, and of men of opulence. Some of our merchants appoint persons to attend to their concerns in remote parts; such as the timber-dealers in the Morungs, and the iron-smelters in various parts. The contractors for elephants, camels, bullocks, horses, &c. have also their agents at the various stations. In general, these are common sirkars, who assume the title of darogah by way of pre-eminence, without any authority from their employers, and often without their knowledge. They, however, are rarely averse to such an assumption; which, while it gratifies their vanity, costs nothing. The darogahs, or, more properly, the sirkars, frequently call themselves naibs, or deputies. This seems a more modest term; but, among the natives it is considered as equally consequential; especially when the principal never eclipses the self-created deputy, by personal attendance to his own affairs. Many of this class are considered as approaching to menials.

The Moonshee, or linguist, is ordinarily a teacher of some language, particularly the Persian and Hinduwee, though numbers are employed only as interpreters, or scribes. Learning is their sole pursuit; and, so far as that can be attained in a country where little is under

stood of philosophy and mathematics, some of them make considerable advances. But, in general, it will be found, that a few volumes of tales, the lives of great men who have either invaded, or ruled, the empire, some moral tracts, and the Koran, (for moonshees are Moossulmans) constitute the acquirements of this very haughty class of servants. A moonshee is never so well pleased, as when the payment of the domestic establishment is confided to his charge. Here he is sure to create an influence very injurious to his employer's interests: the whole tribe of menials, considering him to have full command of the whole concern, and viewing their master as a mere cypher, dread the moonshee's authority, and crouch before him in the most submissive manner.

The baniayn rarely receives wages, or any immediate remuneration for his services; he knows full well, that no money can pass the files on his fingers without leaving some dust. The darogah is sometimes paid by centage on the quantity of goods he transmits, or on the amount of his account; but the moonshee is ever in the receipt of wages, which vary according to his own talents and reputation, or to the rank of his employer. Perhaps a few may be found who receive more, but two gold mohurs, (equal to four guineas) per month, may be taken as rather a liberal, than an ordinary, rate. Some receive no more than eight or ten rupees; but, whatever the learning of such men may amount to, their conduct is generally influenced by motives wide from purity. Many of this class were formerly seen attached to those young officers, and civil servants, who found an easy mode of gratifying their ostentation by a display of study which they never realized, and who employed these pretended tutors in all the drudgery of expenditure; not forgetting those meaner

offices, which, while they disgraced themselves, levelled all distinction between the man of letters and the common pander.

The private habits of moonshees, in general, by no means correspond with the respectability of their profession. Attending their employers only at stated hours, and the residue of their time being wholly unoccupied, it is not surprising, that, with liberal salaries, they should rather court pleasure than shun it. Hence, with very few exceptions, we find them debauched and unhealthy.

The Jummadars are considered as the most confidential servants of a person of distinction, and through them the despatches, and consultations of the various members of the council, are usually conveyed. Some are retained merely to superintend buildings and commercial operations: but such cannot be classed, strictly speaking, with those who are merely state servants; though the wages of each may be nearly on a par. The jummadar bears no insignia of office, but, generally imitates the appearance of a moonshee of a respectable class. He may, however, be often distinguished by the ornamental dagger, worn in his cummer-band, or waist-cloth: whereas the moonshee never wears any weapon whatever.

The Chob-dar, or silver-pole bearer, is retained only by persons of consequence; usually two are employed, and even four, in the retinue of very exalted characters. The pole, (or chob,) is about four feet and a half in length, tapering gradually, from the metal ferule at the base, to the top, which is about four inches in diameter, and generally embossed with some figure, such as a tiger's head, &c.; while the rest, for the whole length, is of some pattern, such as volutes, scales, flowers, &c. The pole consists of a staff, about three quarters of an inch in diameter, spreading towards the top, so as to as

similate to the form of the exterior case. This is of solid wrought silver, often weighing 150 rupees or more, into which, the staff being placed centrically, melted rosin is poured to fill up the intermediate space; thereby rendering the whole sufficiently substantial, without adding too much to the weight.

The chob-dar is versed in all the ceremonies of court etiquette. He stands at the inner door of the audience chamber, announcing the approach of visitors, and conducting them to the presence. The chob being in itself of some value, and the office frequently of considerable trust, it is usual for chob-dars to give the security of creditable persons who vouch for their good conduct. Their average wages are from eight to twelve rupees. They attend early in the morning; and, besides announcing visitors, run before the palanquin, or, if there be no jummadar, by the side, to receive orders. They likewise carry messages, or letters, on formal occasions; especially to superiors.

On these occasions, the rank of the servant bearing a message, or letter, implies the degree of respect which the master designs to express. So well is this understood, that the precursors of a great man always arrange themselves on this principle of gradation. The hurkarus and peons are the foremost; next the soonta-burdars, then the chob-dars, and, lastly, the jummadar, who runs by the side of the palanquin, unless when occasionally replaced by a chob-dar, and thus throughout. In India, the retinue always precede the employer; a custom little suited to the climate, as appears by the clouds of dust which annoy the person seated in the palanquin.

In the dresses of the jummadar, and the chob-dars, there is no characteristic difference, though the former usually make their jammas, or robes, of white calico;