have interested me more than the elephant fights, which, of all the sights I beheld at Lucnow, pleased me the most.
I returned home at the end of December. The resident had the kindness to give me an escort of Skinner's horse, to protect my palanquin, and see me safely out of the kingdom of Oude, as far as Cawnpore, which, being in the Company's territories, was considered out of danger; and during the rest of the journey I was accompanied by two gentlemen.
Colonel Luard thus speaks of Skinner's horse: "This is a most effective irregular corps, taking its name from its gallant colonel. An extraordinary feat is performed with the lance: a tent-peg is driven into the ground, nearly up to the head; and the lancer, starting at speed some distance from the peg, passes it on the near side, at his utmost pace, and, while passing, with considerable force drives his lance into the tent-peg, allowing the lance instantly to pass through his hand, or the shock would unhorse him; then, by a dexterous turn of the wrist, forces the peg out of the ground at the point of his lance, and bears the prize in triumph over his shoulder."
In my vanity I had flattered myself dulness would have reigned triumphant at Prāg; nevertheless, I found my husband had killed the fatted calf, and "lighted the lamp of ghee[1];" i. e. made merry.
I sent a little seal, on which this motto was engraved, "Toom ghee ka dhye jalāo," to a lady in England, telling her ghee is clarified butter. When a native gives a feast, he lights a number of small lamps with ghee. If he say to a friend, "Will you come to my feast?" the answer may be, "Light thou the lamp of ghee;" which means, "Be you merry, I will be there." Therefore, if you accept an invitation, you may use this seal with propriety.
- ↑ Oriental Sayings, No. 20.
