episodes of my chequered life, though of a doleful and sombre nature,
and CONCATENATION of melancholy events that have made their
visitations. My eldest brother died one year since, leaving an
heritage of a relict and two female issues to bemoan and lament his
premature and irreparable loss. And two months since my revered
parent paid debt of nature, at 2 p.m. on 15th February, A.D. 18--,
thus leaving the entire burden of 13 (thirteen) souls on my
individual shoulders, which, in my present and forlorn
circumferences, I am unable to cope with. I, therefore, throw myself
on your benevolent clemency and humane consideration, and implore you
to confer the vacancy in question which will enable me to meet the
daily unavoidable returning requisites of domestic life in all their
varied ramifications, and relieve a famishing family from the jaws of
penury and privation. By thus delivering me from an impending
impossibility most prejudicial to my purse resources, you will confer
on your humble servant a boon which will be always vivid on the
tablet of my breast, never to be effaced until the period that I am
sojurning on the stage of this sublunary world's theatre." The
petition goes on to explain that all the unhappy petitioner's efforts
to earn an honest livelihood by the perspiration of his brow have
been frustrated owing to the sins committed by his soul in a former
birth, and ends with religious reflections and prayers. While this
is presented to the Collector, the candidate stands under a tree at
some distance and rehearses, with palpitating heart, the salaam he
will make if admitted to the august presence. Life and death seem to
hang on the impression which may be produced by that salaam. But the
cousin's wife's uncle's brother-in-law sets other machinery in
motion. He humbles himself and makes up an old quarrel with the
Naik; he flatters the butler till that great man is pleased and
promises his influence; and he wins the Sheristedar's vote by telling