No man can take charge of any office without anticipating the income by large gratuities to them, and the average gratuity which a contractor for a year, of a district yielding three lacs of rupees a- year, is made to pay, before he leaves the capital to enter upon his charge, is estimated to be fifty thousand rupees: this he exacts from the landholders as the first payment, for which they receive no credit in the public account.

All other offices are paid for in the same way.
18.

The King would change his minister to-morrow if the singers were to propose it; and they would propose it if they could get better terms or perquisites under any other.

No minister could hold office a week without their acquiescence.

Under such circumstances a change of ministers would be of little advantage to the country.
19.