This brand, however, was only a mark for Mr. Hastings to find him out hereafter in the crowd, to identify him for his own, and to call him forth into action, when his virtues should be sufficiently matured for the services in which he afterwards employed him, through his instruments, Mr. Anderson and Gunga Govind Sing.  In the mean time he left Debi Sing to the direction of his own good genius.

Debi Sing was stigmatized in the Company’s records, his reputation was gone, but his funds were safe.  In the arrangement made by Mr. Hastings, in the year 1773, by which Provincial Councils were formed, Debi Sing became deputy-steward, or secretary, (soon in effect and influence principal steward,) to the Provincial Council of Moorshedabad, the seat of the old government, and the first province of the kingdom; and to his charge were committed various extensive and populous provinces, yielding an annual revenue of one hundred and twenty lacs of rupees, or 1,500,000_l._ This division of Provincial Council included Rungpore, Edrackpore, and others, where he obtained such a knowledge of their resources as subsequently to get possession of them.

Debi Sing found this administration composed mostly of young men, dissipated and fond of pleasure, as is usual at that time of life, but desirous of reconciling those pleasures, which usually consume wealth, with the means of making a great and speedy fortune,—­at once eager candidates for opulence, and perfect novices in all the roads that lead to it.  Debi Sing commiserated their youth and inexperience, and took upon him to be their guide.

There is a revenue in that country, raised by a tax more productive than laudable.  It is an imposition on public prostitutes, a duty upon the societies of dancing-girls,—­those seminaries from which Mr. Hastings has selected an administrator of justice and governor of kingdoms.  Debi Sing thought it expedient to farm this tax,—­not only because he neglected no sort of gain, but because he regarded it as no contemptible means of power and influence.  Accordingly, in plain terms, he opened a legal brothel, out of which he carefully reserved (you may be sure) the very flower of his collection for the entertainment of his young superiors:  ladies recommended not only by personal merit, but, according to the Eastern custom, by sweet and enticing names which he had given them.  For, if they were to be translated, they would sound,—­Riches of my Life, Wealth of my Soul, Treasure of Perfection, Diamond of Splendor, Pearl of Price, Ruby of Pure Blood, and other metaphorical descriptions, that, calling up dissonant passions to enhance the value of the general harmony, heightened the attractions of love with the allurements of avarice.  A moving seraglio of these ladies always attended his progress, and were always brought to the splendid and multiplied entertainments with which he regaled his Council.  In these festivities, whilst his guests were engaged with the seductions of beauty,