Ambition has, however, another more golden career for an enterprisingand ingenious Chupprassee; for is he not the portal through which thehumble petitioner may have access to the Collector, whose smile isprosperity and his frown destruction? And must not the hinges of theportal be oiled that they may open smoothly? Therefore, theinimitable Sir Ali Baba made a point of dismissing a Chupprasseewhenever he began to grow portly, and he was wise, but in applying therule you must have regard to the man's rank. The belt of an ordinarypeon may range from twenty to thirty inches according to length ofservice, promotion to a Naik's position will add about three inches,a Havildar will run to thirty-six or thirty-seven, and a Jemadar musthave something crabbed in his disposition if he does not attain toforty-two inches. These are normal measurements,--they consistwelvetwith strict integrity as understood in the East. By the blessing ofgood temper and an easy life they may be slightly exceeded, but theitching palm brings on a kind of dropsy easily recognisable to thepractised eye. I always have seen an unjust Jemadar who might have strodewith Sir John Falstaff.