He Had Just Received Two Letters,
Which He Read Standing, Before He Ascended His Throne.
I never saw any
one having so settled a countenance, or maintain a so constant gravity
of deportment, never once smiling, or shewing by his looks any respect
or distinction of persons, but evincing an extreme pride and thorough
contempt for all around him.
Yet I could perceive that he was every now
and then assailed by some inward trouble, and a kind of distraction and
brokenness in his thoughts, as he often answered suitors in a disjointed
manner, as if surprised, or not hearing what they had said. If I can
judge, he has left his heart among his father's women, with whom he is
allowed to converse. The day before, Noormahal went to visit him in the
English coach; and, on taking leave of him, she presented him with a
robe, all embroidered with diamonds, rubies, and pearls; and, if I do
not mistake, she carried away with her all his attentions from other
business.
The 6th I had a letter from Mr Brown at Ahmedabad, giving an account of
a fray begun by the Portuguese. Five of them assailed an English boy at
Cambay, whose arms they took from him. On notice of this, John Brown and
James Bickeford went to rescue the boy, and were set upon by seven
Portuguese, one of whom fired a pistol and wounded Brown in the hand.
They defended themselves bravely and honourably like Englishmen, killed
one, wounded some others, and chaced the rest up and down the town like
cowards, to the great shame of such villains, and the reputation of our
nation. To revenge this, the Portuguese came ashore in considerable
numbers from their frigates, no more English being in the town except
the three already mentioned. The governor, being informed of this
affair, sent the cutwall with a guard to our house, and ordered the
water port to be shut, expelling the Portuguese from the town, and
commanding them, on pain of chastisement, not to meddle with the
English, whom he dismissed in safety from Cambay, and they are now
returned to Ahmedabad.
The 9th, the prince being to remove, sent one of his guards for me in
haste. I was not prepared for going, but the messenger pressed me,
urging that his master waited for me, and he had orders not to return
without me. He added, that the whole court talked of the prince's favour
for me, and it was reported he had asked leave from the king for me to
accompany him to the war, and had promised to use me so well that I
should be forced to acknowledge his favour to our nation. I accordingly
took horse after dinner; but on my arrival, I found the prince already
under march. I met a Dutchman, the prince's jeweller, who confirmed
every thing the soldier had said, and added so much more in the same
strain, that I disbelieved the whole.
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