There is also a janwar called wild bores here which is ferocious and dangerous sorts to shoot with gun but I can arrange for them also as they are highly destructivrous to corns of poor peoples and are worthy for killing because they devast the fields too much by their carnivrous fooding. I have also four nice horses for riding which I can let your sons use for the hunting purpose. They are well accustomed to the bum-bum-budam of guns and are mild and un-shy.
Also please inform to your sons that do not bring any fooding for my hunble kitchen will supply their all things for eating, also fruits and etcetera for filling the belly of them.
I have specially provided 5 or 6 big and strong cock fowles and their females for boiling on the day they will honour my poor house and some biscuits and sodda waters and whisky. I have also some syrop of home made which is strong and very delicshous. If your sons are like you and not taking whisky then I can substitute another unintoxicating liquid for that. Kindly inform on what day they will arrive at my poor house that I may arrange their coming comfortably from railway station for the 10 miles to my poor house.
If you can come so much better but send your sons by all means.
With respects,
I am,
Yours sincerely.
A BABU LETTER
SIR,
Last night while perambulating city in search of evenings zephyrs I came to learn of the demise of Babu ... of your Honour’s office who leaves widow and sorrowing children who will feed their bellies the Devil knows how. I submit myself to your Honour’s approval and patronage for the vacancy. For my qualifications I am damnably well up in precise-writing (Note. He means precis writing) and am much addicted to the swearing of European oaths. I am no believing old and rotten superstition of ancient forefathers, but am iconoclast smashing idols to detriment of damn scoundrels. If I should be successful for the post, I and my wife and children will fall on our bended knees, as in duty bound, and offer up prayers for your Honour, your Honour’s lady, and your posthumous children to follow up hereafter.
Your most obedient servant.
“LOVE, WITH A WITNESS!”
[Sidenote: Hood]
He has shaved off his whiskers and blackened
his brows,
Wears a patch and a wig of
false hair—
But it’s him—oh, it’s
him !—we exchanged lover’s vows
When I lived up in Cavendish
Square.
He had beautiful eyes, and his lips were
the same,
And his voice was as soft
as a flute—
Like a Lord or a Marquis he looked, when
he came
To make love in his master’s
best suit.
If I lived for a thousand long years from
my birth,
I shall never forget what
he told—
How he loved me beyond the rich women
of earth,
With their jewels and silver
and gold!