The Press.
London, England, 1858-01-30 00:00:00

THE PRESS, JANUARY 30, 1858.

and drove, and dressed—and here we always
know what was " most becoming "—and went
to church—late, we are ashamed to say, on
some occasions, when of course they created a
" sensation "—and paid visits, and danced—
we won't say flirted—to their heart's content ;
but the heat was intolerable, and on the whole
they declare the life to have been one of
" dreary stagnation,- which they little thought
then (1856) was soon to give way before so
sudden and terrible a reaction.

Another point the Sisters also impress upon
our notice is the thorough dislike of Euro-
peans for natives. If this feeling were so
prevalent as represented, may it not in some
measure go far to account for much of that
treachery and deadly hate recently exhibited
towards us. The system of espionage, too,
under which a European lived in India was
as disagreeable as it was remarkable :

Your most secretly laid plans are instantly known to
the whole world, and highly embellished tales of all you
say anti do dy round the community like wildfire, of course
gathering u they go. People say the native servants pro-
pagate these reports, for though pretending to know
nothing of English, they understand enough to make a
great seal of mischief. The rapidity with whieh news
circulates is startling. We were told by a friend that, half
an hour after our arrival, he and all the other gentlemen
in the clubs of Calcutta knew we had brought pistols out
with us. It has rather a sobering effect to learn you are
thus watched.

I never could understand why these servants passed in
and out of the room so often ; my private belief is they
kept up a constant espionage over us, the results of which
were retailed to our friends' servants over the evening
hookah. But the uncomfortable feeling of " eyes " every-

where was not pleasant ; you might lobk up any moment,
and catch them peering in under the half screen sus-
pended in the doorways, and then a suppressed titter ran
through an anteroom, giving a sensation of unlimited
numbers. We used to feel thankful when Wilt) was
announced by a meek-looking linitmutghar, with folded
hinds and bent head, as it gave us some occupation, and,
by Rood management, might be extended to an hour.
Though our servants pretended not to comprehend our
mother tongue, we were afterwards convinced in many
ways that their ignorance was in some degree assumed, as
when Nora and I spoke to each other in French they in-
variably quitted the room.
It is nearly impossible to escape for one moment from
the prying black eyes and stealthy movements of these
numerous attendants. In the public rooms they are
always walking noiselessly in and out, and startling you
by placing a note in your hands, and addressing you when
you believe the room vacant. If we attempted to escape
into our own rooms, it was worse still, for, however quietly
you walked in, some unseen intelligence was instantly con-
veyed to the Ayala., and in a few moments their white
garments appeared in the verandah, and they came troop-
ing in from all sides.

• • • •
While we were dressing, these three women always sat
in a row on the floor behind up, with their six big eyes
following our every movement, and whispering comments
on everything we did. Reflected in the glass before me,
I could always see these three black faces, thrown into
striking relief by their white draperies, gazing with un-
tiring astonishment at us. Sometimes the effect was so
absurd that we could not help laughing. I remember the
oushions or whiskers 30 which we rolled our hair were a
source of perpetual astonishment and amazement to them.
Letting down your hair was always a signal for a series of
energetic nudges ; and when the marvellous cushions
appeared they all showed their white teeth and shining
eyes in oonoert. My politeness restrained me from
making use of the only Hindoo word 1 knew relating to
the subject, it being equivalent to "Get away with you!"
so we were e'en compelled to submit daily to the martyr-
dom with a good gram, till one day, on feelingly lamenting
our miseries to a lady, she called our various attendants
in, and explained to them " that it was very rude to stare
at people dressing, and in future they were always to sit
outside the door till they were called ;" and the relief and
oomfart to us were inexpressible.

After spending near a twelvemonth with
their brother, and having each enjoyed an
attack of fever, Nora and Maud determined
upon their return according to their previous
resolve. Every effort but one, and that, per-
haps, it would be injudicious to deny posi-
tively, was made to induce the Sisters to
remain ; but they were firm in their resolve to
return home. and, visiting Delhi and Agra en
route, they started at length, with two Persian
cats and a parrot, on their dak journey down,
reached Calcutta in safety, " shopped," as a
matter of course, and were then " off" for
dear old England. The home journey is
described at too great a length, but we
can assure our readers that they will
find the book very amusing. The Sisters have
each a keen eye for the ridiculous, are full of
vivacity, and are very happy in sketches of
character. Compressed into one volume, it
would form the pleasantest light reading. The
state of society it depicts forms a curious con•

tract to that now existing in India. It is re-
markable to read of the profound sense of
security which pervaded the English in India
within a few weeks before the whirlwind which
has since swept over the land, and deluged it
with the blood of our countrymen and friends.

REPRINTS.

1. Merrie England,. by Lord William Lennox
(Newby), is a readable and lively series of sketches
on purely sporting topics. "Chaunting for the Mil-
lion " is the best thing in the volume. The journal
of a French nobleman of a visit at Goodwood-house
is also interesting.
2. The Bentley Ballads and The Ingoldsby Legends
(Bentley) are here given us in nice portable editions,
well printed and got up. With the latter of the two
every one is acquainted. The former contain some
very clever verses by Lover, by the editor, Dr. Doran,
by Father Prout, and a variety of anonymous con-
tributors. Father Prout's Latin translations are
excellent.

3. Esnsolui (Smith and Elder).—This novel im-
proves on acquaintance. We require to overcome

the sensation of strangeness produced by the diction
before we can fully enjoy it ; but when that is done,
" Esmond" comes out inferior to none of Mr.
Thackeray's masterpieces. The duel with Mohun—
the whole passage of the young King and his short-
lived hopes—and Beatrice with her lovers—are ini-
mitable. This cheap issue is most welcome.

4. The London Pulpit, by Ritchie (Tweedie), is a
work far from complimentary to the preachers of
London, whether clergymen or dissenters. We can-
not say we place much value either on the opinions
or the criticism herein contained ; but it may pos-
sibly convey information to some persons, and can-
not, we think, deceive any.

PUBLICATIONS RECEIVED.-JAwumtv 28.
800/S.

Life of Aaron Burr. J. Parton. Mason Brothers.
Town Life. By the Author of " Liverpool Life."
Tweedie.
Punishment and Prevention. Alexander Thompson.
Nisbett and Co.

English Hearts and English Hands. Ditto.
Christianity in the Three Last Centuries. Ditto.
The Royal Princes**, of England. Mrs. Matthew Hall.
Routledge.
Rivers in the Desert. The Rev. John Bailie.

Seeley, Jackson, and Co.
Erery•day Life. Ditto.
William Paterson, Foinder of the Bank of England. S.

Bannister, M.A.

*. P.

Liverpool, Ho! A

Story. Powr Oswyn.

J. F. Hops.
The Pickwick Papers. Charles Dickens. Two Vols. _

Chapman and Hall.

The Furey*-office List for January, 1855. Harrison—
The Secret qJ Mißisterial Success. Seeley and Jackson—
The Foundations of use Earth. Ditto.

The Comprehensive History of England. Parts V. and VT.
Illustrated. Mackie and Son. ,

Pnrscess's THEATRE.—We regret to hear that,
in consequence of the serious indisposition of Mr.
Charles Kean, the performance of Hamlet is post-
poned for the present at this theatre.
MR. AND MRS. GSRMAN BRED'S ENTBRTAINXgNT.--•
On Monday evening Mr. and Mrs. German Reed re-
opened the Royal Gallery of Illustration, after an
absence of five months ; and, notwithstanding the
attractions of an illumination night, the room was
crowded. The entertainments consisted of selections
from previous exhibitions. " A visit to Holly Lodge,"
" A Month from Home," and "My Unfinished
Opera," are performances so excellent in themselves
as to bear frequent repetition.
MR. BURFORD'S Pasoaima.—Mr. Burford, active
ever in seizing events of popular interest., and turning
them to the account of his well-known exhibition, has
now opened to the public a new and attractive view
of the City of Delhi during the siege. The moment
chosen is one of the encounters that took place
between the British troops and the mutineers in the
interval that occurred between the first assault and
the final occupation of the city, and the spectator is
supposed to look down upon the conflict from the
esplanade on the south-west of the Palace. There is
necessarily less of the picturesque in this work.
Nevertheless the opportunity of showing the archi-
tectural wonders of the place has not been lost; and
rising above the scene of tumult and desolation
appear the minarets and cupolas of the beautiful
mosques for which Delhi is renowned. The drawings
on which the picture is based are by Captain Robert
Smith, R.E., and Messrs. Robert Burford and H. C.
Selous, who are as usual the painters, have shown
singular talent in the formation of their groups and
the animation imparted to all the principal figures.
The exhibition has been honoured by the visits of
several distinguished persons daring the week.