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ceffes in venery, which knew no controul, led him to commit actions derogatory from his ftation, as well as pernicious to his health; and even when his disorder had produced an irrecoverable stage of disease, he continued to indulge in a promiscuous use of women. His haram was filled with wives and concubines, to the number, it is faid, of eight hundred, from whom were born to him fifty children.-Mirzah Arnany, afterwards entitled Afoff-udDowlah, was the eldest legitimate fon, and fucceeded to the entire dominion of Oude without tumult or oppofition.

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CONTINUATION OF THE LETTERS.

LETTER IX.

DEAR SIR,

Bellafpour, 22d February, 1783.

BEFORE I leave our Indian world, let

me, through you, make an acknowledgment for the many cordial marks of friendship, and the kind affiftance, I have received, throughout every ftation in the provinces. The gentlemen of Bengal have been long noted for their hofpitable conduct to strangers; and in mine own inftance, I can testify that they amply merit the commendation. The reward due to a difpofition fo happily framed, they enjoy to a large extent; they experience those heartfelt pleasures which arife from the exercise of humane and liberal offices, and which ever convey an abundant recompence for the inconveniencies sustained in their gratification.-Having discharged,

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to the best of my ability, this indispensable duty, I proceed to give you an account of my journey hither.

On the 8th of February, I left Rampour, and arrived at Moradabad-ten coffes. This town, standing on the banks of the river Ramgunga, is fituated in the Vizier's country, which is feparated from the districts of Fyze-ullah, a few miles to the northwest of it, by the river Ramgunga. Moradabad was once a place of distinction; but like many other places which once came under that description in Hindoftan, is at this day greatly decayed. Having frequently feen rupecs of the coinage of Moradabad, and thofe of a very general currency, I apprehend that an extensive mint has been established at this place. A hot bath is now amongst the few remains of its grandeur, in which, with great ceremony, I performed the Mahometan ablutions; being received amongst my new brethren, as a Moghul officer, employed in the Vizier's fervice.

EARLY on the next morning, I left Moradabad, and arrived, under an intenfely hot fun, at the village of Aumruah-twelve coffes. On the day of my departure from Rampour, I had a complete view of the lofty range of northern mountains, whose fummits are covered with perpetual fnows: they extend nearly in a parallel from east to weft, and form, I should imagine, the northern barrier between Hindoftan and Thibet. To know the opinion. of the people concerning this extraordinary appearance, I enquired of a fellow-traveller, the cause of so confpicuous a whiteness. He

faid, that it proceeded from a particular fort of clay, with which the hills in that quarter were covered. I foon perceived that the task of explaining the real caufe would have been equally arduous with an attempt of making him acquainted with the properties of the magnetic needle; fo, expreffing my furprize at the fingular quality of the earth, I left him, flattered, no doubt, with the importance of his communication. The most striking object to be feen at Aumruah, is the body of a notorious robber, which, fufpended by the heels from a tree, affords an useful spectacle of terror. Travelling is by no means attended with danger in this part of India, as may be proved by my example: for in no part of the roads from Benares to this place, though chiefly alone, did I meet with impediment or ill ufage; and I should hold myself guilty of an injustice, did I not unrefervedly declare, that the inhabitants. treated me with civility, and, usually, with kindness.

ON the 11th, at Chandpour-12 coffes. Finding the want of a servant subjected me to various inconveniences, especially from the dislike of the Serauce keepers to rub down my horse, which is I believe, the only fcruple they entertain, I took into my service an old foldier, who by his own ftory had been engaged in many a fell encounter: nor did his figure belye it, for amongst the numer ous desperate marks of his profeffion, he bore one on his face which had wholly excavated the right eye.

This

On the 11th, at the village of Burroo-twelve coffes. place affords no public accommodation for paffengers but the

pompous

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