notion of government as peculiarly the privilege of the royal caste; and it is impossible to remove this impression but by long explanation, and by entering into the nature of our laws and customs. The village of Rajapet is beautifully situated almost among the ghauts. It is surrounded by magnificent scenery. The long winding row of houses of which it consists, are tastefully sheltered by trees, and adorned by seats for travellers. in my usual way, took my evening walk to view the whole. "It was an evening bright and still As ever blush'd on wave or bower, Could happen in so sweet an hour.", MOORE. I, I had admired the soft serenity of the scene, looked at all the happy faces I had met, and not forced the pretty Hindoo girls to turn their backs upon me by an impudent stare. Indeed, I had received some pleasure from seeing some of them peeping after me as I passed; for they are not at all void of curiosity, and such a strange animal as I seemed to them naturally drew their bright eyes. Well, I did not notice the innocent peep at me from behind the cloth over their heads, but went on towards the river which was prattling over its bed, and glittering in pools down the distance. About half a-mile from the village I saw some bustle. People were running and shouting towards one of the deep holes before me; others now flocked from Rajapet; and, by the time I got up to the place, they had dragged a young man from the river, who had drowned himself. A large piece of rock was tied to his neck with a rope; and he was quite dead, having been in the water a whole day and night. My curiosity was naturally excited to learn the cause of such a determined and hardy act; for the young man must have tied the stone to his neck in a recumbent posture, and then have rolled it down the steep into the river; by which means he was dragged after it and strangled, perhaps, before he reached the water; at least, he must have been nearly dead. The following were the particulars: Bappo Manick was an industrious farmer. He had been born at the village of Rajapet, where he was universally respected. At an infantine age his father had married him to a child belonging to a neighbouring family; and, as soon as maturity authorized, the youthful pair lived together in a state of the greatest felicity. It was Bappo's misfortune that Arima, as she grew up, exhi bited alarming beauty; yet, such was her affection for her husband, that he was perfectly easy respecting her virtue. He was, however, greatly disquieted lest the young Raja should see her. This prince was of a very amorous disposition: he had already seduced the affections of several poor men's wives from their lowly state to grandeur and neglect; for as soon as his desires were satisfied, his eye roamed after fresh game. Bappo Manick, therefore, implored Arima, in the fondest terms, to keep out of the sight of their Raja, and not subject him to temptation, herself to solicitation, and her husband to destruction; "for," said Bappo, "O, Arima! it would kill me to see you in the arms of another!" Arima, throwing her arms round poor Bappo's neck, assured him, that she would never breathe on any one but him. She promised that the young Raja should never see her; "for," said she, "whenever I hear the bells of his elephants, I'll run and hide myself behind the purdah, if I am near the house; or, should I be at a distance, I'll draw my saurie* close over my face."-" That's a good dear," answered Bappo, giving his girlish wife a dozen of his best kisses-" do so, and all will be right." : Arima had got it into her little head that it was her best plan to be an obedient and good wife; and she thought in her heart that the Raja's riches could never induce her to think little of her husband. The young Raja had passed her several times she always did as her husband had desired, and as she had promised. The Raja never looked particularly at her; and she began to think it strange that her fine shape should not have attracted his particular attention. Indeed, she had observed him carefully from under her saurie. His rich dress, shining face, grand hunting ele • The garment or piece of cloth which is rolled round the breast. phant, and splendid attendance, quite dazzled. her; and she sometimes thought that his wife must be very happy, though shut up in a strong house, and guarded with locks, bolts, and bars. In short, she began to wish that the Raja would look at her; though she never thought it possible that she should look upon him so as to forget and destroy her poor Bappo. It happened one day, however, that the Raja went a tiger-hunting with a fine train and numerous retinue. They had excellent sport; for every one knows how plentiful tigers are in the Coorg. As they were returning home, and crossing the river which I before mentioned, the elephant took it into his head to be guilty of a great piece of indecorum, that is, to drink with his majesty on his back. The huttee wallah, or driver, seated on his neck, darted his iron hook into the spinal marrow of the elephant to make him mannerly. But no-it would not do. He was determined to drink his fill; and I can assure you, that when one of those huge animals takes it into his head to rebel, it is not an easy matter to reduce him to obedience. The Raja seeing, and feel |