Scene in the writer's buildings Calcutta! [graphic].

"A young man, thin, dark-haired, and sallow, leans back in his chair smoking a hookah: the long coiled tube is attached to a receptacle supporting a small brazier at which an Indian servant (right), crouching on the floor, is blowing; he wears breeches with an open shirt. His feet are on an oval table beside writing-materials. He faces an Indian wearing a turban and scanty draperies, who stands (left), reading near-sightedly from a long document. The Indian says: "Got Bill-Massa's name." The other answers: "No Money-come next month." A second servant stands behind his master's chair working a primitive punkah attached to a pole. Apparently a companion plate to No. 11832. Holland also published 'Money Lenders in Calcutta!' n.d. (A. de R. viii. 194). For the money-lender cf. No. 12722."--British Museum online catalogue