Meer Hassan Ali, B.: Observations on the Mussulmauns of India: descriptive of their manners, customs, habits, and religious opinions ; made during a twelve years residence in their immediate Society (Band 1) (London, 1832)

70 ANECDOTES OF EUNUCHS.

sions, whether the required solution be of the
utmost importance, or the merest trifling sub-
ject. I know those who submit, with a childlike
docility, to the Najoom's opinion, when their
better reason, if allowed to sway, would decide
against the astrologer's prediction. If Najoom
says it is not proper for Nuwaub Sahib, or his
Begum, to eat, to drink, to sleep, to take medi-
cine, to go from home, to give away or accept
a gift, or any other action which human reason is
the best guide to decide upon, Najoom has said
it,—and Najoom must be right. Najoom can
make peace or war, in the family he overrules,
at his pleasure; and many are the houses di-
vided against themselves by the wicked influ-
ence of a bad man, thus exercising his crafty
wiles over the weakness of his credulous master.
—So much for Najoomee; and uoav for my
second notice of the Eunuchs:—

They are in great request among the highest
order of people, and from their long sojourn in
a family, this class of beings are generally faith-
fully attached to the interest and welfare of their
employer; they are much in the confidence