Siyar al-mutaʾakhkhirin 24.6.2

24.6.2

and the English commenced acquiring a knowledge of the usages and customs of the country. For it was a standing rule with them, that whatever remarkable they heard from any man versed in business, or even from any other individual, was immediately set in writing in a kind of book composed of a few blank leaves, which most of them carry about, and which they put together afterwards, and bind like a book for their future use. Matters went on in that manner, until Mr. Rumbold having in the year one thousand one hundred and eighty-three quitted Bengal to repair to his country, was succeeded by Mr. Alexander, as was Mr. Sykes at Moorshoodabad by Mr. Beecher. It was under the latter's administration that a famine made its appearance all over the country. It made its approaches with all its terrors, added to a severe mortality, and to a small-pox, that spared no age and no sex. Seif-ed-dowlah himself fell sick of that distemper, and succumbed under its violence; as did his kinsman, Ashref-aaly-qhan. Foteh-ollah-qhan, brother-in-law to Mahmed-reza-qhan, underwent the same fate, which also swept away his consort. This lady was sister to the consorts of Mahmed-reza-qhan and of Hadji-ismail-qhan, (all three being daughters of Rabia-begum, who was herself daughter of Hadji-ahmed's).