unless in eligible circumstances, and of a very liberal disposition, a
_sircar_ will not think it worth his while to serve an officer on a
small salary. But it is quite different where a young civilian is in
question; to him the rogue’s purse is instantly opened; not only with a
view to make him, like the steward in Gil Blas, pay interest for his own
money, but under the hope of attaching firmly to the rising sun, and
ultimately of being _banian_, _naib_, _dewan_; of course, ascending to
the very acmé of prosperity. Those _sircars_ who are employed by
mercantile, or manufacturing persons, derive the advantages attendant on
the foregoing transactions in a less degree than when serving an
individual divested of such concerns; but they gradually acquire large
property, and are often placed in situations of great trust; such as
_darogahs_ and _gomastahs_. In such establishments they are, for the
major part, relatives to the _banian_, who assists with his purse on
emergency; therefore, though they may feel the necessity of paying
attention to their ostensible employer, they pay their court, under the
rose, chiefly to the former. The rates of wages are, in this branch,
progressive; some receiving a bare livelihood, such as from five to
eight rupees monthly; while those of longer standing, or who are more in
favor with the _banian_, sometimes receive from fifteen to thirty.
The dress of _sircars_ is extremely simple: their heads are shaved, with
the exception of one lock, about two inches in diameter at the base,
which is held sacred, and is tied in a kind of loose bow-knot. The
turban is white, of fine muslin, wrapped perhaps fifteen or twenty times
round the head, leaving the crown nearly bare, and the lock of hair
protruding. Round the waist a piece of cloth is passed, so as to allow
freedom of motion; then tucked in, in a peculiar manner, and one skirt,
passing between the thighs, is, in like manner, secured behind. Unless
in cold weather, the body and arms are left entirely bare; in moderate
seasons, they are covered by means of a cloth sewed into two breadths,
thrown over the shoulders: a chintz quilt is likewise worn at times.
For the convenience of keeping accounts, and of making payments, one
_sircar_ is allowed by the Company to each battalion of sepoys. It is
surprizing to see how these men, whose utmost legal receipts can amount
to only twenty rupees monthly, get forward, and become possessed of
property. Much money goes through their hands, and, as before observed,
every finger is a file which takes off a trifle _en passant_. This class
of servants rarely associate, in any degree, with the others; they form,
in fact, a separate tribe of Hindus, and devote their time to one
object, viz. making money. They generally read English well enough to
know the contents of a bill; but, in giving receipts, usually sign their
names in the Bengallee character: few of them undertake to write English
accounts; but, in their own way, which appears to us prolix, they are
extremely regular. The superiors seldom touch a pen, leaving that office
to those servants who are entitled to confidence, and causing the less
expert to act as collecting clerks; an employ in which they are
eminently punctual, as most young debtors throughout the East must
acknowledge. It is a peculiar circumstance, that scarcely an instance
has been known of a _sircar_ absconding with the money entrusted to him:
from this, however, I exempt the vile crew of tide waiters, who are by
no means scrupulous; though, for the sake of perpetuating their game,
which any open act of felony might break up, they prefer extracting the
money from the novice’s pocket, by means of extortion and fraudulent
accounts.
Considering him as being at least attached to, if not of the very same
species, as the knave just described, I shall give a short description
of the _Podar_; of whom mention has already been made. He is not always
an attendant at an office, though, in great concerns, his presence is
indispensable. He either receives from four to ten rupees per month, or
is paid, by a very small centage, for whatever money he examines. We
often admire the dexterity of our money-tellers; but the _podar_, who
counts by fours, (_i.e._ _gundahs_,) finishes the detail of a thousand
in so short a time, as would cause even our most expert money-tellers to
stare with astonishment! It is only mixed money that is counted, when
large sums are passing; most payments are first sorted, when, the
several kinds of rupees being made into parcels, are weighed, fifty at a
time: in this manner, a lac (_i.e._ a 100,000) may be speedily
ascertained; each parcel of fifty being kept separate, until a certain
number is completed: when the whole are accounted, and removed into
bags, to make way for further operations. Here it may be proper to
remark, that no _sircar_ will take charge of money when his employer
keeps the key: nor is it, on the other hand, customary for the _sircar_
to have the entire charge. So many tricks have been played by changing
the coin, that it is now a general rule for every treasure-chest to have
two large padlocks, of different construction; the _sircar_, or
_tusseel-dar_ (_cash keeper_,) receiving one key, and the master
retaining the other. This prevents aggression on either part, but is by
no means pleasing to the _banians_, though they affect to be highly
satisfied, because a command of specie will often enable them to make
very advantageous purchases in Company’s paper; but such a precaution
inevitably debars their access to master’s cash.
The _Cranny_, or clerk, may be either a native Armenian, a native
Portugueze, or a Bengallee: the former are not very common; the second
are more numerous; but the third are every where to be seen. It really
is wonderful how well many of the latter can write, without
understanding a word of what is written. They have a steady hand, a keen
eye, and an admirable readiness in casting up accounts. Those who are
habituated to our mode of book keeping, profess to consider it greatly
superior to their own, but it is not a very easy matter to get them into
it. That multiplicity of fractions which prevails, in consequence of the
perpetual fluctuation in their currency, causes them to be very well
versed in that branch of arithmetic, and to produce the most correct
calculations. The rates of wages are different according to the
abilities of individuals; thus, a clever _cranny_ in a public office,
such as the auditor general’s, or the pay-master general’s, or the assay
and mint, may receive from forty to a hundred rupees monthly, while, in
mercantile houses, they rarely receive more than thirty, generally,
indeed, from ten to twenty; while many are glad to serve gratis, merely
for the purpose of an introduction to that line of employment; as well
as to perfect themselves in book keeping, and in a proper style of
correspondence.
The use these gentry make of English words, is often highly diverting:
they study synonymes very industriously; poring over Johnson’s
dictionary, and carefully selecting such terms, as appear to them least
in use; thinking that such must, of course, make finer language. The
following may serve as a specimen: it was written by a _cranny_ to his
master, in consequence of an exterior window shutter having been blown
down by a severe north-wester.
‘Honorable Sir,
‘Yesterday vesper arrive great hurricane; valve of little aperture
not fasten; first make great trepidation and palpitation, then
precipitate into precinct. God grant master more long life, and more
great post.
I remain,
Honorable Sir,
in all token of respect,
Master’s writer,
BISSONAUT METRE.’
‘P.S. No tranquillity in house since valve adjourn.—I send for carpenter
to make re-unite.’
Those unacquainted with the pedantry of Bengallee writers, may suspect
me of coining for the occasion; placing the above on a footing with
Smollet’s ‘Horse-spittle of anvil-heads,’ &c.; but I assure my readers,
that it is a literal transcript from a note of which the original was in
my father’s possession for many years; it is by no means so preposterous
as many that have, on account of their ridiculous diction, been
published in the Calcutta papers.
The dress of a Bengallee _cranny_ is exactly the same as that of the
_sircar_, of which tribe he may be considered a relative. The Portugueze
_cranny_, assumes the British dress; but the Armenian invariably retains
that of his own country, which is truly becoming. They shave their
heads, and wear black velvet bonnets, not unlike a mitre in form. Their
vests are of white linen, and reach down to their knees, so as not to
conceal the knee-bands of their small-cloaths. Their coats, or tunics,
are usually made of colored silk, for the most part purple, lilac,
crimson, or brown, and flow loosely rather below their vests; the
sleeves are loose, and there is no collar. They use also stockings and
shoes; and, when within doors, lay aside their black bonnets, wearing in
their stead white skull-caps, round like a small bowl, and often neatly
tamboured with colored silks. They have pockets both in their vests, and
in their small-cloaths: some wear girdles, under their tunics; and some
wear silken sashes.
Having disposed of those who pride themselves as appertaining to the
_nokeron_, it remains to detail the services, &c. of such as come under
the general designation of _chaukeron_.
The _Khedmutgar_, or, as he is often termed, the _kismutgar_, is, with
very few exceptions, a Mussulman: his business is to prepare all the
apparatus, and to wait at table. For this purpose, he repairs to the
house of his employer shortly after day-break; when, after seeing that
the breakfast apartment has been swept, and taking care that the bearers
have put on a kettle, he lays the cloth, with small plates, knives,
forks, spoons, &c. together with bread, butter, sweetmeats, &c. but
reserving all the tea-things for a side-table; at which, if there be no
_kansamah_, he officiates, making the tea, coffee, chocolate, cocoa, or
whatever is ordered. Where there is an European lady in the family, she
may, perhaps, have the cups, &c. set upon the breakfast table; but, on
account of the steam arising from the various preparations, this custom
is by no means general; and often, after being persevered in for a
while, is relinquished in favor of the bachelor’s mode; which is in
every respect, the most comfortable.
Every gentleman must have one _khedmutgar_; but the majority keep two,
or even more; not only adding thereby to their own expence, but
considerably incommoding every party in which they may dine. As every
gentleman, when at table, is attended by his own servants, it may easily
be conceived, that where two or more are posted behind each guest, a
living enclosure is formed, tending by its own exhalations, added to
those from their masters, and from the viands, to banish comfort, and to
render all artificial means of cooling the apartment perfectly abortive.
Hence it is usual, at all public entertainments, to admit but one
servant for each person invited: on some occasions a better plan is
adopted, namely, that of employing only as many servants as may be
deemed absolutely necessary: but this, though obviously judicious,
rarely gives satisfaction; habit having so strongly confirmed, what
luxury so very insagaciously invented. Gentlemen fixed at Calcutta, or
at any place, as residents, cause plates, knives, forks, spoons,
napkins, and glasses, to be laid for the whole company; but at all
military stations, each guest sends his servant with two plates, a soup
plate, a small plate for bones, &c. a tumbler, a long glass for claret,
and a smaller for Madeira, a table spoon, a dessert spoon, perhaps also
a marrow spoon, two or three knives and forks, and a napkin: these are
usually taken to the rendezvous by one of his _khedmutgars_, who
accompanies the _aub-dar_; the latter causing a bearer with a _bangy_,
or sling, to carry the apparatus for cooling water.
However luxurious the latter custom may seem, yet I do not know any more
gratifying, or more conducive to health. A glass of cold water is at
times invaluable!
When seated at table, the _khedmutgar_ stands behind his master,
changing his plates, &c. which are cleaned by servants without; and,
either keeping him cool by means of a small hand-fan, made of palm-tree;
or driving away the flies with a whisk, called a _chowry_, made of the
hair from a wild ox’s tail, or of a peacocks’ feathers, or of the roots
of grass, called _cuss-cuss_, &c. often, however, these offices are left
to a bearer, who likewise stands, behind his master’s chair, for that
purpose. After dinner the _khedmutgars_ retire to their own homes, and,
about sun-set, attend their respective masters, if they have remained;
but should they sup where they dined, as is customary where suppers are
laid, the attendance is repeated, the same as at dinner time; after
which the _khedmutgars_ go to their respective houses, without ceremony.
The pay of this menial varies from five, to perhaps ten, rupees monthly;
but the generality receive from six to eight. Much depends on the rank
of the employer, and whether the _khedmutgar_ is ever expected to
officiate as _kansamah_: such is, indeed, the case with the families of
single gentlemen, not in possession of large receipts; but the
officiating _khedmutgar_ is honored, almost invariably, by all the other
servants, with the title of _khansamah_.
Nor is such distinction always ill-bestowed; many of those who serve
under gentlemen of a liberal disposition, and who take pleasure in
keeping a good table, may fairly competite with, at least, half the
servants actually entitled to that designation, in all the knowledge
requisite to support its character. Few, however, of those who become
thus capable of managing all that appertains to domestic economy,
refrain from making attempts to enter the superior circle. Nor are there
wanting persons ready to seduce such good servants from the employ of
their acquaintances. About eight and twenty years ago, when it was the
fashion to wear the hair, both of ladies and of gentlemen, full dressed,
a good peruquier was an indispensable part of the establishment: the
great difficulty of procuring persons properly qualified, induced
several gentlemen to have lads instructed under those who were known to
be expert; this often cost from eighty to a hundred rupees (ten or
twelve guineas); but, in many instances, so soon as the pupils had
learned the business, offers were made clandestinely from other
quarters, sometimes by intimate friends of their masters; when some
little disagreement was started so as to give pretext for quitting. I
must remark, at the same time, that I believe the gentlemen of India are
more scrupulous, and more delicate, in matters of this nature, than
those in any other quarter: but we must not expect all to be perfect;
still less to be disinterested!
_Khedmutgars_ are, with few exceptions, the sons of _ayahs_, _dhyes_,
&c. in the service of European, or native, ladies: their first
introduction to the table commonly takes place when about eight, or
nine, years of age; at which period children in that quarter are usually
smart, intelligent, and well-featured. At first they attend only at
home; not receiving any wages, or so little as barely to suffice for
clothing: by degrees they become useful, and are allowed to attend
abroad. From this it may be concluded, that, too often, a kind of
compact, or coalition, takes place behind the curtain, not very
favorable to either the pocket, or the brows, of the employer. When we
consider the various opportunities both for peculation, and for
intrigue, possessed by _khedmutgars_ so initiated, we cannot refrain
from condemning that practice, which is too generally prevalent; and
which we should suppose could not fail to produce some inquietude: such,
however, is rarely the case.
The dresses of _khedmutgars_ are generally of the same form; but the
quality of the cloth, the length of the skirts, and sleeves, and the
trimmings, are matters of great consequence in the eyes of this vain
tribe. All endeavor to obtain _turbans_ and _cummer-bunds_ (_i.e._
waist-cloths) of the same color, and are not the less pleased if a
tassel of silver fringe be added to the outer end of the former. During
the hot season, a _coortah_, or vest, reaching at least to the knees, of
white calico, or of chintz, is worn; but, during the winter, one of
perpet, or other woollen of European manufacture, is held to be more
respectable. The long-drawers are ordinarily white, or of striped
gingham; though some great favorites, and debauchees, who pride
themselves on being favorites among the ladies, often wear a kind of
silk stuff, called _gool-budden_, such as is used by women above the
middle class, and denotes effeminacy, or a disposition to intrigue. The
origin of such a type of libertinism may commonly be traced to the
_haram_; probably to that of the fop’s own master.
The office of _Mosaulchy_, or flambeau-bearer, may be considered another
introduction, or rather an apprenticeship, to the foregoing. A lad
serving in this capacity should be agile, smart, and careful; having to
run for miles as fast as the ordinary rate of a carriage; he will find
abundance of work in cleaning boots, shoes, knives, dishes, &c. together
with a million of et ceteras, which fit him for the title of ‘Jack of
all trades.’ Many valuable articles in glass-ware and crockery, being
given to his charge, for the purpose of being washed, it is
indispensably necessary that his whole attention be devoted thereto.
During the time a lad remains as a _mosaulchy_, he may acquire much
experience relating to the duties of a _khedmutgar_: some are to be
seen, in the service of persons in rather low circumstances, acting in
both capacities, and carrying the umbrella; which is properly the duty
of a bearer: but, where the _mosaulchy_ performs the _khedmutgar’s_
duties, bearers are rarely kept. Few _mosaulchies_ are allowed more than
five rupees monthly, and then on the proviso of supplying the flambeaux
and the oil, where such are used. The general pay is about four rupees;
the master, as is now almost every where prevalent, using a lantern
instead of a _mosaul_, (or flambeau,) and supplying ends of wax candles,
or whole ones of tallow, for that purpose. Many of this description of
servants begin as _coolies_, or laborers, and gradually acquire
sufficient insight to be admitted into the services of non-commissioned
officers, &c.; whence they take the opportunity of removing into the
employ of gentlemen. Others start from the sepoy regiments, in which
they have served as _goorgahs_, or fags, to some native officer, &c.;
but these are more rare; the generality of our sepoys being Hindus, to
whom various domestic operations occurring in the families of Europeans
are obnoxious, on account of the nature of many aliments in use among
us. The _mosaul_, or flambeau, consists of old rags, wrapped very
closely around a small stick; it is generally about two feet in length,
and may be two inches and a half in diameter; an iron ring fits on, so
as to confine the fire within about an inch at the tip: being refreshed,
from time to time, with oil extracted from the sesamum, it burns with
great fierceness; as the cloth consumes, the ring is brought back, by
means of an old fork, thereby renovating the flame. The oil is either
carried in a glass bottle, to the embouchure of which a reed is fitted,
to prevent spilling; or it is contained in a brass vessel, made
expressly for the purpose, and thence called a _tale daunny_ (_i.e._
oil-pot,) which may hold nearly a quart.
The dress of a _mosaulchy_ consists of a turban, generally colored; a
short pair of drawers, reaching half way down the thigh, nearly the same
as the _jangheeahs_ of the native soldiery; and a cloth, wrapped round
the waist. But where this servant is at any time employed to wait at
table, he imitates the dress of the _khedmutgar_, so far as his pocket
may allow. Persons of distinction, among both Europeans and natives,
cause their _mosaulchies_ to carry what are called branch-lights. These
consist of a semi-circular frame of iron, supported on a centre stem, to
which the side ribs join; upon the circumference are five or seven
spikes, on each of which a small _mosaul_ is stuck. When they are all
lighted, and raised above the head, by means of the stem, they make a
great show. Commonly two, or, eventually, three branch-lights, may be
seen preceding a great personage, intermixed with his retinue: two or
more ordinary _mosauls_, or lanterns, are also carried near the
palanquin, to prevent the bearers from stumbling.
The next upon our list is the _Hookah-burdar_, or preparer of the pipe;
a domestic of wondrous consequence with many gentlemen, who give
themselves up, almost wholly, to the enjoyment of smoking. Some begin
before they have half breakfasted; whiffing away, with little
intermission, till they retire to rest: I know not of any custom which
becomes so habitual! It is inconceivable how distressed some are, in
consequence of their _hookahs_ not arriving in time particularly when on
a march: at such moments, nothing goes right: _hookah! hookah! hookah!_
seem to be the three indispensables towards happiness. Some few may
plead in apology, that, without its aid, they would be subject to an
irregularity, such as rarely fails to induce severe illness: when this
is the case, we cannot censure the practice, provided it be confined to
that duration which may produce the salutary stimulus; and which, it is
obvious, must be rather weakened, than aided, by the subsequent use of
smoke during the rest of the day. To so great an extreme is this
carried, that I have known more than one instance of two
_hookah-burdars_ being retained; one for the day, the other for the
night. Where such prevails, it may be rationally concluded the wages are
in proportion: in most services, these may be from ten, to fifteen,
rupees per month; occasionally somewhat less, but rarely exceeding;
except where excessive partiality for his pipe induces a gentleman to
give more, under the common error of expecting satisfaction in
proportion to the disbursement. To such an egregious excess has this
opinion led some persons, that I have heard of no less than one hundred
rupees per month having been given to a _hookah-burdar_. Yet, many
gentlemen, supposed to be judges, were unanimous in declaring, that such
high-priced preparations were very inferior to the generality of those
obtained at that moderate expence usually incurred by persons contenting
themselves with mediocrity.
In some instances, the whole expence lies with the _hookah-burdar_, who
receives such a sum as may, besides his wages, include tobacco, _gools_,
(or fire-balls,) and _chillums_, (or sockets for receiving the _towah_,
or tile,) on which the prepared tobacco is applied. Some even provide
the _snakes_, or pliable conductors.