now, that he was in danger, her gratitude shone proudly forth; beside his bed she knelt, both day and night, her large and lovely eyes unclosed and bathed in tears-nor would she allow another hand to smooth his pillow, or convey, the cool sherbet, to his parched and fevered mouth. Three days did he thus linger insensible and speechless, and when at length, God in his mercy, ended his earthly sufferings, no murmur escaped the lips of poor "Neevah," but with her small hands clasp'd, and slightly raised, she remained fixed on the spot she had first chosen, nor did she move but to follow his remains to the rude grave we had prepared. The last turf had been laid on his coffin when I looked round for the gentle Maharatta-she had disappeared-and though, until a late hour, the hills gave back the name of Neevah, she answered not, nor came. The following morning I proceeded on my last visit to the spot, where my friend lay at rest, and pacing slowly through the large tope in which our tents were pitched, I recalled the joyous hours we had passed together, and dreaded the effects of my own Louisa's heartfelt grief when she should learn that the bright career of her idolized brother had been thus suddenly terminated. 1 had now reached an opening, which brought the grave in sight, it appeared at that distance, as though some unhallowed hand, had sought to disturb the dead, and I shuddered to think that the ravenous jackall or Hyæna, might there have made his midnight meal-but heavens! no words can describe my horror, when approaching nearer, I perceived a human form, lying partially covered with the new turned earth-it was "Neevah" cold and stiff, but beautiful even in death-she had been her own destroyer, determined to follow one, who had saved her from worse than death. Such is I have since found, the feeling of gratitude inherent in a Maharatta woman. The body of the affectionate girl, was burned agreeably to the custom of her people, but I could not depart, without placing the ashes by the side of him she had served so devotedly over the grave: we raised, a rude monument, composed of broken fragments from the surrounding rocks, and left them to that repose, which will remain unbroken until the voice of the Almighty shall summon them to the throne of judgement. More than twenty years have passed since the above melancholy events occurred; I am again in my beautiful valley, again at Akola, but how changed are they by the numerous events incidental to a long lapse of years; in vain I look for the monument I assisted in raising; time and the hands of the husbandman have left not a wreck behind," and miles, which are in my recollection as a pathless jungle, now present to the eye an extent of rich and varied cultivation. I ascended by a beautiful Ghât to Gawilghur; the cloud capp'd towers of the old mosque are still in being, and exhibiting but few marks of decay. There are also several Bungalows belonging to officers, in the delighful cantonment near Ellichpoor, whose families retire to the heights during the oppressive season of the hot winds. Sindhee, Takelkerra, and several other places have still sufficient game for the enthusiastic young sportsmen-but owing to the extensive clearings, Tigers are only to be found in the heart of the hills, or the forest jungles near the bank of the Nurbuddah. TO CATHERINE MACEVA. How very strange it is, that those— The proudest fabrics nature showsThose masterpieces of creation— Those living shrines of adorationInspirers of all tender passionSole arbiters of taste and fashionTo whom the peasant and the prince The same submissiveness evince; To whom the silly and the wiseThe leader to bold enterpriseThe old, the young, the rich, the poor(From fourteen summers to fourscore) If but a flattering smile they gain, Are paid for all the past of pain :— How very strange, amid the throng To whom these attributes belong, So many, favorites of Nature, Should show ingratitude, and hate her; Do all they can to thwart her aim Who's done so very much for them. Strange as it is, it's very trueAn instance may be found in you: And (mind apart for future study) Let's see how Kitty treats the bodyWhat pains she takes to spoil what Heaven, In likeness of itself, had given. Once-'tis some fifty years, or soWhen hoops and heels were all the go, A Belle deck'd out for company, Was, verily, a sight to see.' A whalebone bee-hive, swelling wide, (A sort of wigwam tent, of height While those used by the Esquimaux Force them to stoop, as travellers know), From this rose an inverted cone (Her body) cased in stays of bone; Her inside (if she'd any there) Being squeez'd the deuce alone knows where. (A pair of bellows placed on end, A notion of the thing will lend). The formal little face a-top Gazed proudly o'er the dome-the more But books and prints may still be seen, At last green grocery lost its sway; And cars and coaches had the day, My good old grandmother's report Declared these worn by all the Court: Behind, the vehicle ascending, The gold steeds o'er the summit bending, Were driving over mount Parnassus. The wit lay all outside the hill: For nothing that had common sense Could bear such gross extravagance. Now, Kitty, since we've done with these, Let's take a look at modern days! These eyes have seen when pockets vied With ass's panniers at the side: Pads of all forms-before, behind, Each more immodest as more recent. But still (if I may be allowed) They always cover'd what they showed; Might weigh-some half a pound or so; In shape; your drapery's so transparent, That were it not it bore the name Of vesture, it were much the same, Like other geese, you braved the weather, Just look at what you've now got on- To act from friendship !-Yes I know itSome envious minx has made you do it! She'd better keep beyond my reach That I can tell her-nasty wretch! -It really is extremely hard Must shake his mop's head at the gown! I never heard the like! however I'll wear them shorter now than ever? She has not one to stand upon ! The drumstick things which she calls legs, Are positively cribbage pegs! |