Native Rajah. "From Calcutta to Cabul--throughout the whole of
Hindoostan--every tongue declares that you have no equal. Is it true?"
Humble Sahib (who, if he knows anything of Asiatic manners and customs,
knows that he must not contradict his host, but eat his compliments
with a good appetite). "Maharaj."
Native Rajah. "The acuteness of your perceptions, and the soundness of
your understanding, have, by universal report, became as manifest as
even the light of the sun itself." Then, turning to his attendants of
every degree, who, by this time, had formed a circle round me and the
Rajah, he put the question, "Is it true, or not?"
The attendants, one and all, declare that it was true; and inquire
whether it could be possible for a great man like the Maharajah to say
that which was false.