views, invited Kurum Ulee and Morad Ulee to take possession of Umurkot,h. Those chieftains, eager to obtain a fortress of such strength and importance, readily acquiesced in the proposal, and advanced from Sind with a considerable army.

Intimation of this unexpected aggression on the part of the rulers of Sind, involved Muha Raja Maun Sing,h, then on the point of departure to Roopnugur, in much perplexity. He immediately however, detached ten or twelve thousand horse, to the relief of Umurkot,h. The command of this force was vested in Saad Juml of Mihta, Sumboo Lal Sungee, Salim Singh the chief of Pokuruh, Newul Singh the Bhat, Kesoor Singh, the chief of Asoob and Tej Singh of Chanwudub.

Meean Gholam Ulee Khan was likewise sent with the army, in order, in the event of success, to establish his right to the sovereignty of Sind. The Raja also made arrangements for supporting this force with the troops and artillery of the Nuwab Meer Khan, and other reinforcements, drawn from his own dominions.

The first army marched to Pokuruh and thence to Oolooduh and Goreeasur, thirty kos beyond Pokuruh in the territory of Jeysulmeer, and sixty kos from Umurkot,h. It was then considered advisable to halt, in order to send, and await the issue of, an embassy to Meer Sohrab of Khyrpoor, with a view of inducing him to join in the war. Molchund of Kot,haree was accordingly dispatched, on the part of Saad Juml, and Moonshee Uhmud Yar, in behalf of Meean Gholam Ulee Khan, to intimate to Meer Sohrab the arrival of the army of Joud,hpoor in support of the rights of Meer Gholam Ulee Khan, and that it was therefore, incumbent on him to join their army with all the troops he could bring into the field.

When Molchund and Moonshee Uhmud Yar had thus explained the purport of their mission, and that the army of Meer Khan and reinforcements were advancing to their support, Meer Sohrab asked them whether Ind Raj Sungee were living or dead; because, if living, he was of opinion that the army of Muha Raja Maun Sing,h, would not accomplish the object they had undertaken; and added, that when the other army, to which they had alluded, arrived, and he should have ascertained the extent of the warlike preparations, he would advance with his troops, and co-operate in the war. With this answer, he gave them leave to depart.

During the period which was occupied by this ill judged negociation, Seleem Singh visited the chiefs of the Joud,hpoor army, on the part of Mool Raj, the Rawul of Jeysulmeer,-soothed them with friendly expressions, urging them to keep their minds

at ease, and promising, in the space of nine days, to convey grain, warlike stores and every other necessary article into the fort of Umurkot,h,-which would then, be able to resist the utmost: efforts of the enemy.

Having thus pleased them with friendly professions and the delusions of hope, he sent secret intelligence to the Talpoor chiefs, that in the space of nine days, a powerful army would arrive from Joud,hpoor, and that it was therefore expedient that they should make the best use they could of that interval, in order to obtain possession of the fort, before the arrival of that force rendered it impracticable.

The Talpoor chiefs were accordingly induced to effect by money what their arms could not accomplish. By tampering with the garrison, and paying thirty thousand rupees to the sepoys of the Qilaadar, they obtained possession of A. D. 1814, the fort, in the year 1870 of the Sumbut Æra.

Ind Raj Sungee received from the Talpoor chiefs, seventy thousand rupees, as the recompence for his perfidy.

Kishen Das, the vukeel of the Sind,h chiefs, resides in Joud,h-. poor: he is usually intriguing with Sileem Sing,h of Pokuruh, Sheonat,h Sing,h of Koochee-Fut,hRaj Sing,h son of the late Ind Raj Sungee, and other neighbouring Chieftains, to each of whom he clandestinely sends presents for political purposes.

This narrative was written by Moozufur Ulee, in compliance with the request of Captain (now Lieutenant-Colonel) Gough, to whom the translator is indebted for the Munuscript.

TO JULIA.

When in those eyes of love no longer blest,
Trembles my frame no more; my timid tongue
Restored to freedom,-in thy presence long
Spell-bound to silence,-speaks my burthen'd breast.
Ah! why, when by thy sunny smiles carest,

Should I still dread to breathe the language strong,
Deep labouring at my heart, and lost among
Strange fears, in dull and broken accents rest?

It is that while one lurking fear remains,

I

may not dare the hazard of thy frown,

But still with thy dear smiles my fond hopes crown,
And soothe in thy blest tears my amorous pains.
To love thee, and be near thee, all my joy,-
And gazing with the fond heart's deep employ.

BY R. CALDER CAMPBELL.

Written to illustrate Drawings in a Lady's Album.)

SONNET I.

A skiff upon the waters !-lo! it glides
O'er that calm surface, like some happy bird
That bathes its plumage in the lucid tides,
While nought save its own peaceful song is heard,
Mountains are far beyond.-and, near the lake,
A sunny slope, with soothing verdure crowned,
Shows sweetly in the slanting rays, that break
The dim repose yon tiny cot around!
Near yonder ruined arch one hermit tree
Hath visitants, for there three anglers meet
To ply their guileful trade :-tranquillity

Rests on the landscape. Why, 'mid scenes so sweet,
Should human hearts, like weeds in gardens found,
Breathe aught save peacefulness and love around?

SONNET II.

I do remember me long, long ago,

Of a grey ruin in a darksome wood;

Where I had wont to watch the ringdoves' brood,
And, all alone, where sprung a goodly show
Of berries wild, within that solitude,
Have, in the summer-tide, reluctant, viewed
Night's usher, nun-like twilight, softly throw
Her shadowy veil o'er earth; for then, 'twas said,
That, in that crumbling pile wan lamps were seen,
Whose lights were trimmed by fingers of the dead;
And sounds were heard as of the hurried tread
Of men in sudden fray for there had been
In days of yore, within those halls of pride,
A murdered Bridegroom and a stolen Bride!

:

SONNET III.

A whitewashed cottage, in a woodland vale,
A latticed casement, wreathed with roses red,
A fair maid's voice,-a lute, full deftly played,
Moonshine, and summer floating in the gale;
A listening Cavalier with helm casque in hand,
Face softly prest among the trailing leaves,
And in the distance, near those new shorn sheaves,
A steed, impatient for the loved command
Of its brave rider! - What do these bespeak?
"A stranger lover and clandestine bliss"-
Blush for such thought !-for on that virgin's cheek
Nought hath fallen warmer than a brother's kiss ;
And he that long, long looked for one, hath come,
After rude broils, to his dear sister's home.

AN EVENING DRIVE-CALCUTTA SOCIETY.

There is no enjoyment that could so ill be spared by the denizens of Calcutta as the Evening Drive upon the Course or Strand. A Ball and Burrah-khanna, though agreeable enough in their way, are of infinitely less importance. Their recurrence is irregular and uncertain, and therefore people pass from one day to another, without any positive feeling of deprivation. Not so with the evening drive. If rain or accident interfere with this accustomed pleasure, the disappointment is intolerable. The ennui and weariness of a long sultry day are rendered less oppressive by the anticipated gratification of the evening, and when people are baulked in this respect, they are the victims of spleen and ill-humour, and find it difficult to kill the time usually devoted to so congenial a recreation.

It is not only the temptation presented by the salubrity of the fresh air and the animal enjoyment, that sends forth such swarms of belles and beaux, to glitter in the sunset; the greater number rush from their home-confinements for little other purpose, than to see and be seen, to condemn others and to be themselves admired. The disposition to criticise, the love of scandal and the restless ambition for display, are almost universal in the Society of India.

He who loves to observe and theorize on humanity, must find it interesting to mingle with a Calcutta crowd, and note their peculiarities of manner and expression. To a stranger just arrived from England, the scene at the first view, is cheerful and attractive. In the parks and fashionable places of resort at home, groups after groups pass and repass each other, without a single glance of recognition, and with an air of freezing indifference. If, as the poet sings, solitude is sometimes best society, in a London crowd, society is sometimes the worst solitude. Here, on the contrary, there are so many "nods and becks, and wreathed smiles," that the novice is struck with admiration at our excessive sociality. He turns perhaps to the companion of his drive, (an old resident) and expresses his wonder at the extent of his acquaintance. He seems to know every body, and every body to know him. It is the same he perceives with others. Almost the whole multitude are apparently familiar friends. When, however, the novelty is passed, and he comes to know more of the machinery of Indian Society, and is a more close and competent observer, he sees many incongruities, and many unpleasant traits that had previously escaped him. He finds the company divided into sets and parties, and discovers that there are certain classes of indi

viduals whose acquaintance it would be unfashionable to acknowledge, and that all recognitions, in the shape of nods and smiles, do not convey the same language, but are capable of an infinite variety of expression. There are some bows from Big wigs, that are positive insults and border on the dead cut, while others again are full of suavity or respect. The nod of one whose position in society is uncertain resembles in its indicision the double knock of people in England, who, fearful of offence, yet ashamed of humility, make the second stroke of the knocker seem almost accidental. The upper order of tradespeople, the small merchants of Calcutta, and some of the uncovenanted servants of the Company, however respectable, can hardly venture on a crowded Course, without the experience of many galling slights and mortifying embarrassments. The conventional forms and distinctions of society, are, in many respects, sufficiently absurd and illiberal, in our native land, but here they are absolutely detestable. A Civil Servant, who has chatted by the hour together with a first-rate tradesman, on his own premises, when he meets him on the Course, will stare him full in the face, as if he were a perfect stranger, though he may have been familiar with him for years. The greatest genius, the most polished manners, the most inflexible integrity, will not secure a man, who is out of the pale of a certain circle, the honour of a nod, while some insufferable blockhead that years and good fortune alone have elevated to the dignity of a Senior Merchant, shall attract the most eager and fulsome notice of the whole Course. But those who are considered to be out of society, may well console themselves in their solitude with a consideration of its utter heartlessness and frivolity. Let those who pride themselves on the extent of their acquaintance but analyze its nature, and they will soon discover its worse than worthlessness. It is rarely that a single vein of the golden ore of friendship is discoverable amongst the dross and dirt of Indian Society. A person of acuteness and good sense acknowledges a very palpable distinction between familiarity and friendship, but the mob are blind. It would be ludicrous if it were not melancholy, to expose to open daylight the hypocrisy, the hollowness, the envy and malice and all uncharitableness that are concealed under the surfaces of life in India. In our morning visits the conversation almost invariably turns on the defects and follies of absent friends. It is otherwise "weary, stale, flat and unprofitable." With what eager and ill-suppressed delight is a stray bone of scandal picked and played with by the hungry inhabitants of Calcutta. Drop a hint of the improprieties of some female acquaintance, the pecuniary difficulties of an eminent merchant or the white feather of an officer, and you give a zest and relish to the conversation that act with