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 2) (London, 1832)

296 VILLOIETTEE BEGUiM.

have been mistaken for the meanest of her slaves
or domestics. It was her usual custom, when-
ever she purchased new clothing for her own
wear, to lay in a large store for the poor;
and it is affirmed, by those who were long
intimate with the family, that a supplicant was
never known to pass her door without relief.
She even sought out, with the aid of a faithful
domestic, the modest poor who were restrained
by their feelings from intruding their neces-
sities ; and her liberal donations were distri-
buted in so kind a manner, that even the pride
of birth could never feel distressed when re-
ceiving her charitable assistance.

" This lady was much attached to the duties
of her religion, and delighted in acquiring in-
struction from righteous persons of her own
faith. She showered favours on all the poor
who were reported to live in the fear of God;
indeed, such was the liberality, benevolence,
and unvaried charity of this good lady, that
the news of her death was received by hun-
dreds of people as their greatest earthly cala-
mity. The example of this lady's character