acted by them from Jumbo, but in a much less proportion than what was levied in the adjacent territories. The Sicques, indeed, aware of the respectable state of the Jumbo force, and the ability of the chief, were contented with the name of tribute. The most valuable division of the Jumbo districts, lay in the plain country, forming part of the Northern Punjab; which, under pretence of affording assistance to the person who lately sought their protection, a body of Sicques have laid waste. They are now prosecuting a vigorous war against the present chief, who, through the defection of many of his people, driven by oppressions to the party of his brother, became unable to make any effectual stand; and that his ill fortune might be complete, he called into his aid, a party of Sicque mercenaries, commanded by Mhah Sing, a powerful officer in that quarter, who has firmly established his authority at Jumbo, and has erected a fort at the south entrance of the principal pass leading into the Punjab. For defraying the expence incurred by the Sicque troops, the Jumbo chief has made rigorous demands on the native inhabitants of the city, and is now throwing an eye on the foreign merchants; who, dreading his disposition and necessities, have taken a general alarm. It was with much pleasure I saw the person on whom

my bill was drawn, a man of a fair and honourable character, enjoying, amidst these disorders, a moderate security. He seemed to have procured the favour of Mhah Sing, who, with other officers of the party, supported him against the designs of the Rajah. The person entrusted with the government of the town of Jumbo, during the absence of the chief then in the field, was so exact a counterpart of his master in the system of oppression, that I was advised to a speedy departure, lest I should fall under an inspection. Though much fatigued by an harassing journey, and the sale of my horse, with other necessary concerns, was to be adjusted, such was the ascendancy of my fears, that on the 16th of the month, I was ready to proceed.

IN laying before you these scattered pieces of intelligence, I must not forget to notice, that the courtesans and female dancers of the Punjab and Kashmire, or rather a mixed breed of both these countries, are beautiful women, and are held in great estimation through all the Northern parts of India: the merchants established at Jumbo, often become so fondly attached to a dancing girl, that, neglecting their occupation, they have been known to dissipate, at her will, the whole of their property; and I have seen some of them reduced

to a subsistence on charity; for these girls, in the manner of their profession, are profuse and rapacious.

Mr Kashmirian host, who continued to oppress me with kindness, had a brother living in the same house, who was so much afflicted with the rheumatism, that he could not stir out of his room. Possessing much useful information, with a pleasant sociable temper, I was glad to be admitted to his conversation, which equally amused me, and contributed to a knowledge of this quarter of India. He gave me also some directions for my conduct in Kashmire, which were delivered with an air of candour, and so apparently void of design, that I should have been ridiculously sceptical in not giving them credit. The day I left Jumbo, he called me into his room, and in very affectionate language, said, "My

friend, you are now about visiting a country, "whose inhabitants are of a character different "from any you have hitherto seen, and it be"hoves you to be wary and diligent, for they "are a subtle and keen people. You must particularly be on your guard against my

brother, who is now in that country, and "will probably endeavour to borrow some of your money. Steadily withstand his solici"tations, nor lend him a rupee; for if

you do, "the money is lost. Make your disbursements

"only on the delivery of the goods, and, how"ever urgent he is, do not make any advance." He displayed, I thought, a singular trait of honesty in giving an advice wholly divested of a tendency to promote the interests of his family, at the expence of fair dealing.

THOUGH the districts of Buddoo and Chinanah do not at this day form immediate appendages of Jumbo, they are so intimately dependent on its policy, that, to avoid prolixity, I will throw their limits into one description. This united territory is bounded on the north by the river Chinaun, which divides it from Kishtewer; on the east by independent Hindoo districts; on the south by Bissouly; and on the west by the Punjab. It would be hazarding too hasty an assertion to offer any specific calculation of the Jumbo revenue, as the larger moiety is produced by import and export duties, which are now in a fluctuating state, and have been diminishing since the accession of the present chief; but the current information of the country, states the ordinary receipt at five lacks of rupees, exclusive of the produce of Buddoo and Chinanah.

I am, Dear Sir,

Yours, &c.

*This district lies to the westward of Jumbo.

DEAR SIR,

LETTER XI.

THE frequent introduction of

the Sicques to your notice, will have naturally excited a desire to examine the history of this new and extraordinary people, who, within a period of twenty years, have conquered a tract of country, extending in certain directions from the Ganges to the Indus. My knowledge of the subject does not permit me to deduce, on substantial authority, their history from the period in which Nanock their first institutor and law-giver lived, or mark with an order of dates the progress which this people have made, and the varying gradations of their power, until their attainment of their present state of national importance. You who are apprised of the futility of the documents which compose the general texture of Eastern record*, who have

* Neither the genius of the people nor the form of their government is favourable to the growth of history, which is rarely seen to flourish on despotic ground. The actions of Asiatic princes are