Heber, should have passed them by unnoticed, when speaking on the subject. The extensive printing establishment, where the manual labour and composition of types are performed by natives, at present under the management of Mr. Webster, speaks volumes for them. It is the source whence great numbers of school-books and tracts, as well as translations of the sacred scriptures, find their way into several languages of the East. However strongly opposed many may be to foreign missions, and blame the zeal with which missionaries pursue their labours, I think it cannot be denied by the unprejudiced, that they have sacrificed much of worldly comfort, if not · aggrandizement, to devote their lives, distant from their homes, to the benevolent purpose of setting misbelievers in the true road to worldly happiness at least. It must be evident to the dullest comprehension, that most of them have capacities and energies which would procure for them more of this world's wealth, amidst their friends, in the most blessed country on the face of the globe, than they attain by taking up the staff and scrip of a missionary. They are content, with an humble subsistence, to pass through life, exposed to the influence of insalu brious climates, to the wear and tear of mind and body, incident to their profession, and but too often to the world's contumely and misrepresentation. PEDLARS AND THEIR WARES. 219 CHAPTER XIV. SKETCHES IN HINDOOSTAN. November, 1835. EVERY day we were visited by borahs or pedlars, offering various articles for sale; amongst which were quantities of cast off military clothes and worn English books, generally from the librabries of officers who had returned to England, or whose necessities exceeded their means. This not unfrequently happens, in spite of very large salaries, from the very extravagant modes of life which young men fall into on their arrival in India. We have known of a commendatory letter, in the possession of a man, declaring him to have been the head servant of a gentleman, who signed himself an Ensign in one of the native regiments. Jewellers brought their wares, cornelian and agate necklaces from Cambay, diamonds from Golconda, and other trinkets. But what we most 220 PEDLARS-FEMALE BEGGARS. admired were ladies' work boxes, card cases, &c., beautiful in their workmanship, particularly when we see the few tools employed in their manufacture. The exterior of these little fabrics is covered with mosaic, composed of minute pieces of ivory, ebony, white metal like silver, and a composition of glue and dust of a fine wood, while the interior is lined with odorous sandal-wood. Trafficking with these pedlars was the source of much diversion to our little mess; for after the most solemn protestations that they were losing by the bargain, they received often less than half the price first demanded. On these occasions, our Dubash was present, as he said to protect master," but in fact with an eye to his own interests; for he always insisted that all claims should be cancelled by drafts upon himself. And when they were presented, he took the liberty of deducting from one to ten per cent., according to circumstances, for prompt payment. This is a perquisite of the Dubash, who, from the mode of making purchases of borahs, exercises amongst them a considerable patronage, and influence, often equally advantageous to both parties. * Among other daily visitors were numbers of female beggars. One young woman with fine eyes and white teeth, bearing an infant astride her hip, and leading a child four years old by the hand, was wont to come every two or three days; and when alms were bestowed, she first touched her forehead with her hand and then the ground, at the same time the elder child bent forward its little head to the earth and embraced my feet, exhibiting a most touching and graceful sense of gratitude for our small pittance. My right-hand man, Cowasjee, told me not to give to any beggar, because he or she would direct all the beggars in town to the house, and we should have no peace. Generosity is certainly becoming in a beggar; and what can be more generous than pointing out to others the source whence we have derived succour? No one can be happier than your true professional beggar, if he possess the splendid imagination which has been set down as an attribute of the cloth. "Les gueux, les gueux, Des gueux chantons la louange. One morning a tall, slender Hindoo, with an intelligent face, loitered before the door as if he wished to see or ask for something. He had on a kummerband, much worn, and a cotton skullcap, |