[124] The word pari, “a fairy,” is frequently used figuratively to denote a beautiful woman.

[125] Masnad means literally a sort of counterpane, made of silk, cloth, or brocade, which is spread on the carpet, where the master of the house sits and receives company; it has a large pillow behind to lean the back against, and generally two small ones on each side.  It also, metaphorically, implies the seat on which kings, nawwabs, and governors sit the day they are invested with their royalty, &c.  So that to say that Shah-’Alam sat on the masnad on such a day, means that he was on that day invested with royalty.

[126] Asiatics divide the world into seven climes; so to reign over the seven climes means, metaphorically, to reign over the whole world; king of the seven climes was one of the titles of the Mogul emperors.

[127] Literally, “it was not in the power of eyesight to dwell upon her splendour.”

[128] A Persian proverb, somewhat illustrative of a story told of a West India “nigger,” whom his master used to over-flog.  “Ah, massa,” said Sambo, “poor man dare not vex—­him damned sorry though.”

[129] The Kalam-dan, literally “the pen-holder,” means here the small tray containing pens, inkstand, a knife, &c.

[130] Tirpauliya means three arched gates; there are many such which divide grand streets in Indian cities, and may be compared to our Temple Bar in London, only much more splendid.

[131] Ethiopian, or Abyssinian slaves, are commonly called Sidis.  They are held in great repute for honesty and attachment.

[132] The chauk is in general a large square in Asiatic cities, where are situated the richest shops; it is sometimes a large wide street.

[133] In the original there is a play on the word ’alam which signifies “beauty,” “the world,” also “a multitude of people,” or what the French call “tout le monde.”

[134] Literally, “the observance of the [form of greeting] “sahib salamat,” or “salam ’alaika,” by which he had been at first accosted by his customer.—­Vide note on this subject, page 41.

[135] The verb uthna like the Persian bar-khastan is used idiomatically in the sense of “to go away,” to “vanish.”

[136] Literally, “your command is on my head and eyes,” a phrase imitated from the Persian “ba sar o chashm.”

[137] The phrase “rah dekhna,” literally to look at the road,” (by which a person is expected to come;) hence, very naturally and idiomatically it signifies “to be anxiously waiting for one.”  Again, rah dikhana is the causal form, signifying “to make one wait,” of “keep one waiting.”

[138] The word janwar means “an animal,” in general; but it is frequently used in the more restricted sense of “a bird”.