is that the king drinks alone, though sometimes he will give command that the nobles shall drink also, which to refuse is likewise an offence, so every one who takes the cup of wine from the officer has his name written down, and makes tessalim, though perhaps the king’s eyes are misty.  The king called for the buxy, and asked if he gave the order, which he falsely denied; though he actually gave it as ordered, calling by name such as were to drink with the ambassador.  The king then called for the list, and fined the delinquents, some 1000, some 2000, and others 3000 rupees.  Some that were near his person, he caused to be whipped in his presence, receiving 130 stripes with a most terrible instrument of torture, having at the ends of four cords irons like spur-rowels, so that every stroke made four wounds.  When they lay for dead, he commanded the standers-by to spurn them with their feet, and the door-keepers to break their staves upon them.  Thus cruelly mangled and bruised, they were carried away, one of them dying on the spot.  Some would have excused themselves, by blaming the ambassador; but the king said he had only ordered a cup or two to be given to him.  Though drunkenness be a common and frequent vice in the king, it is yet strictly forbidden; and no one can enter the guzelkhan where the king sits, till the porters have smelt his breath, and if he have only tasted wine he is refused admittance; and if this reason of his absence be known, he shall scarcely escape the whip.  When the king has taken offence at any one, even a father dares not speak for his son.  Thus the king made all the company pay for the Persian ambassador’s reward.

The 26th, I went to Sorocolla, the prince’s secretary, to get the promised firmaun; when he sent me a copy as fraudulent and ambiguous as the former, which I refused to accept.  I drew up the clause I so much disliked myself, which I sent back, and was promised to have it sealed next day.

The day of the king’s removal being at hand, I sent on the 28th to Asaph Khan, to have a warrant for carriages, as our merchants had sought all over the town for carriages to convey their goods to Agra, and could not procure any.  As I was enrolled by the king, I received an order for twenty camels, four carts, and two coaches, to be paid for at the king’s price; of which I appointed for the use of the factors as many as they needed.

At this time the following incident took place, being either a wonderful instance of baseness in this great monarch, or a trial of my disposition.  The king had condemned several thieves to death, among whom were some boys, and there was no way to save their lives, except by selling them as slaves.  On this occasion, the king commanded Asaph Khan to offer two of them to me for money, which he directed to be done by the cutwall, or marshal.  He came accordingly and made the offer to my interpreter, who answered without my knowledge, that the Christians kept no