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* 7 iver and jewels , and allotted liim a glittering stare . Finally , the Bheels Sxtoxi 4 ted 1 be Afghans , and massacred them , only two or three escaping . ^^* X . . £ d of a 25 ? norse for more than two hours in a northern 6 W * il Without looking back , making hairbreadth escapes over the precipices , rugged Skla ^ d dS ^ fleys : Sometimes I climbed where 'I saw the clouds , under me JnrfadJifce ^ n oTe an ; at others I went d own as if to the lowest region . Three iiours rS ho ^ ev ^ ren d ^ ed me quite exhausted j andnot being able to move on any more , 1 SfSjffTe oSeTrtr ^ nSfimself to a bough with bis turban , and < slept as fast as a horse-merchant after the disposal of his j ^ ses . The reader here will observe the superior advantages of tl « i graceful Asiatic garb over the patchful light pieces of dresses of the Europeans , which can only be used for the Le particular purpose of covering the body closely . On the other hand , our convenient long eoa / mly be gracefully put oa to command respect ; and the a me ™ I 1
serve as a bed if we chance to have no other . Our dopatta , the waistband , is a zone on respectable occasions j it is a sheet to cover one at night if required , or may be erected as a small tent to protect one from the burning sun . The turban is the most useful part of the Asiatic attire , far superior to the European hat in every respect ; it is a handsome ornament to the human head , and repulses the severity of the sun ; the hat on the contrary , attracts it . The turban is the best means to save the life of a thirsty traveller in the deserts and jungles , where there is no water to be had except in deep wells . In such a crisis , the precious liquid can be drawn by the aid of the turban with great ease . A silken turban ' s softness guards the head from the cut of a sharp sabre better than a helmet ; it can serve the purposes of bandages for wounds on important occasions , when surgical aid is wanting and not at hand ; and many other advantages can be derived from it , which , if described , would take uj > time and .
space unaffordable here . _ , .,-, ¦ , ¦ , . ? i We might occupy coLumns with extracts from the Munshi ' s delightful volume descriptive of his romantic adventures , his employments , his soliloquies , his views on the superiority of Muhaniedanism to Christianity , and his impressions derived during a visit to England ,- but the book , to be appreciated , must be read from the first to the last page . We will content ourselves , for the present , with two or three quotations . Lutfullah , For the first time , sees the ocean : — ¦ On beholding the immense body of water and its regular ebb and flow , I was struck with astonishment at the unlimited power of the one Supreme Being , before whom the whole of our universe is no more than an atom . Deeply engaged in such meditations , as I stood one evening at the sea-side looking at the waves on which the Large ships moved up and down , I began to think of the Jain tenets , according to which matter is eternal and self-existent ; but before arriving at the conclusion of the blasphemous syllogism , I was startled by a severe bite from a dog in the calf of
my leg . -There are extremely interesting passages on monogamy , on the burning of Hindu widows—a ceremony of that kind is strikingly described—and on Dther Eastern customs . Lutfullah also sketches an Anglo-Indian official : — Lying down tipon his sofa , the great man dictated his letters to his cringing Munshi , who dared not seat himself , either oa the floor or on a chair , and was obliged io take down word by word , whether sense or nonsense , standing upon hi 3 legs , with its inkstand fastened to his waistband . Who could -stand such degradation as thisf
He defends the practice of secluding women . In Egypt , nevertheless , he enjoyed the English freedom of association , and bore away bright re-20-Ilections of ' Mr . Tibaldie ' s sister , Mrs . Larking , ' ' lady consummate iii beauty and noble in mind , ' a ' beautiful damsel , ' with a ' fair mouth scattering pearls of eloquent phrases : 'I confess that , in conversing with her , I considered myself having the felicity of confabulating with one of the gazelle-eyed nymphs of Paradise . Fickle Lutfullah , however , saw Mrs . Larking ' s sisters : — These two fairies , I must say , surpassed their sister , Mrs . Larking , in their
incomparable beauty . The first Englishwoman he saw in England appeared to him ' of dazzling > eauty . ' He comes to London and observes : — Palaces of nobles and dukes are distinguished by their large porticos and superior jonstruction . In one of them I saw two well-dressed men with ashes sprinkled over ' heir heads , and thereby concluding that some death might have occurred in the louse , I told Mr . Scott , who sat by me , that a mournful event might have been the sause ' of the dust on their heads ; but the young man laughed at my board , and said t was the old custom still preserved by some of powdering their hair . Upon the whole , one might imagine that this vast city , whose population is no less than twenty akhs of inhabitantscontained the riches of the whole world .
, What shall bo said to the barbarian who , visiting the Opera , sees in the pallet only * very handsome ladies very indecently dressed , ' who whirl up iheir light fantastic attire 'to tantulizo the assembly . ' Lutfullah , in Engand , is cruelly critical . But his remarks are generally intelligent and ilwaye entertaining , although the most fascinating chapters of the narrative efer to his youth and the adventures of his less fortunate years .
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A COMPANY OF TRAVELLEltS . Travels in the Free Slates of Central America , Nicaragua , Honduras , and San ¦ ialcador . By Dv . Carl Bcherzer . ' 2 vols . ( Longman and Co . )—Dr . Scherzer explored the region of Central America from Guatemala to Costa Liica , in company with t > v . Moritz Wagner . His book is written with a iorious purpose—that of pointing- the attention of Europe to tlio groat inluooment olibrcd by those countries to trudo and emigration , and to show that Central America contains ' tracts of measureless extent in which prudent and industrious European settlors may not only secure n prosperous ind healthy material existence , but maintain their nationality and remain
n commercial and political relation with tho land of their birth . ' liy Humboldt those hills and plains have already been described , but Dr . Spherzer ' s volumes form a practical contribution to knowledge , composed is they arc in a stylo of picturesque simplicity , and atorod with tho observations of a very intelligent traveller . Tho most entertaining chapters are ; hoao descr iptive of tho Indian town Mutngulpa , of Totoualrm , Dipilto , regucignlpa , among the mountains of Honduras , Saohjtto , and Ponsonnnto . Che political and social institutions of the froo states in Central America iro matters of particular interest at this moment , and Dr . Schorzor ' s report ipon them is the best that wo have soon . Ho enters minutely into tho life « ilae people , murks their industrial progress , moasures the capacity of their
soil , their nunes , their forests , and their waters , and affords in general . a panoramic view of their condition , vividly coloured from nature and pleasingly diversified t > y Incidents of wild or humorous adventure . As a physician , he saw more of the native interior than is usually exposed to the tourist ' s eye . We rise from the perusal of his work with a clearer idea tff Central American ' developments' -than we had gained from any previous publication . Letters from the Slave States . By James Stirling . ( Parker . )—rThere is a particular reader whom we would warn not to meddle with Mr . Stirling ' s Tjook . We mean the reader who , upon opening an account of the slave states , expects a chapter headed ' Am I not a brother and a man ? ' and unctious details of whipping-house inflictions , stripped quadroons inelegantly bruised
-with the paddle , men sacrificing solid flesh under the scourge , and other delicacies enlarged upon in that unctuous fable , Our TForld , or the Democrats Rule ; The Companions of Uncle Tom— -all quivers , sobs and lacerations ; and other monstrous compilations suggested by the success ofMrs , H . B . Stowe . Mp , Stirling ' s volume is plain and sensible , and deals fairly with the citizens of all parts of America . His opinion is that slavery will in due time succumb to the civilization of the New World , and that the North American Republic , already a success , will consolidate itself and flourish , without con .-¦ vulsion or decay , in spite of manifold obstacles in the way of her permanent prosperity . Many will refuse to accept Mr . Stirling ' s views , but there can be no question as to the integrity and intelligence with which he has investigated the problems now working themselves out in . the southern provinces of America .
Tlte Merchant Abroad , in Europe , Asia , and Australia . A Series of Letters by George Francis Train . With an Introduction by Freeman Hunt . ( Low and Co . )—Mr . Train , started by Mr . Hunt , rattles noisily from Java to Singapore , China , Bengal , Egypt , the Holy Land , the Crimea , England , Melbourne , Sydney , and other * localizations , ' about which he has much to say in a free , flippant , superficial manner , more calculated to amuse than to inform . Mr . Train had a flying glimpse of India , and writes as confidently as if he had read every work on the country from Orme to Mill and been attached to the covenanted service for twenty years . He lendoursof which to
was invited to the Government House , the sp , appear have dazzled his eyes , for he expatiates with , childish wonder upon the two hundred servants in variegated costumes , the blaze of diamonds , and the terrible magnificence of the supper ; but recovering his critical humour , he remarks politely upon the ' stiff , black , state dress' of Lord Canning , and the personal appearance of Lady Susan Ramsey , and a daughter of the commander-in-chief . " Neither of these young ladies need look for their portraits in the Book of Beauty , " says Mr . Train , with an admirable appreciation of the governor-general ' s hospitality : —
Lady Canning did not dance while I was present , but reclining in courtly style upon the regal chair , received the court from her honoured lord and the several distinguished civilians and military officers present . The formality of her reception was freezing , for that aristocratic bow was worse than an electric shock . Her dress was of white tulle , over -a white satin skirt , looped up with red roses ,, with a head-dress of red velvet and pearls—not , in my opinion , elegant j but the blaze of diamonds compensated for what was wanting in taste . She still possesses the marks of earlybeauty , but time and the dissipations of her exalted position in London have taken , from the attractions of youth . Mr . Train fancied that the pensioned princes attended ' in their stocking feet' by order of the governor-general , * to remind them of their disgrace . ' Here is an American glance at British Indian politics : —
For two centuries the natives have beeu brought in contact with the Christian racs —and what is there to show for it ? Ancient and modern writers assure us that the products of the soil , the rjeculiar mode of irrigation , the strange funcy for copper utensils , the simple cotton cloth about the loins , the brilliancy of their colours and , dyes , their extravagant love , of jewellery—wearing them in ears , nose , on their toes , their ankles , their fingers , their necks , and their arms—the custom of eating alone , the religious seclusion of their women , the cutting off of goats' heads for the sacrifice , the training of elephants , and the extraordinary divisions of caste remaining onchanged i habits and customs of a thousand years ago are tjio habits and customs now . The Hindoo talent , then , of quick observation , perseverance , dexterity , tact , against the vioes of greediness , servility , and treachery , Lave gone through trifling changes for centuries . The European vices have been carefully studied ; but the European virtues don't flourish in the Hindoo ' s' mind . Of course , thero are some exceptions ; but I have yet to learn that the merchant , tho missionary , or the soldier , have been able to break up prejudices which have for so long been handed down from .
generation to generation . India is a land of conquQSt , and requires an immense standing army to hold it . As a conquered country , tho Eust India Company may make as good masters as any other company or any other government . It is difficult to understand where tho Company ' s power ceases and whore England ' s commences—which is lilucher , and which is the DuUe of Wellington ?—the Hon . Court of Directors and the President of the Board of Control act in concert ; and tho Company and the government are so closely connected that they must soon amalgamate So long as pensions , wagos , salaries are paid to tho Sopoy troops , under able and . popular Engllah officers—so long as their caste or their religion remains unmolested—so > lone as tho natives continue to prove so faithless and possess so little confidence ia soldier is l
each othor , England will hold her Indian empire ; for tho Sjpoy proverbialy true to his salt . There is one thing morally certain ; fortunes are not realized by civil and military officials , by merchants , by professional man , by individuals and corporations , as In days of yoro , for there are vary few who roturn to England with tho moans of supporting Indian extravagance or the . means of enjoying tho luxuries of Indian Hfo . A quarter of a oentury ' s service- under tho Indian nky purchases an Indian pension dearly bought—too often by the loss of health , of spirits , and of frionda , Tho Indian army and the Indian civil service still continue to odor employment , through influence ) , to tho younger sonu of Britain , who grow prematurely old In serving thoir country , with the hopes of battering their own position . An Indian fortuno is like tho mirage wlitoh . Napoleon euw on tho plains of Egypt .
LifeinChim . By the Itev . W . C . Milne . With Four original Maps . ( Roufcledgo . )—Mr . Milne rosidqd for-several years in China ., which ho describes from the missionary point of view . Ho is , however , lively and HNiphio , and produces an excellent picture of the rainbow realm of luntenis , funs , silk , satin , ^ embroidery , junks , dragons , and rice-paper . Ot course , we do not accept Mr . Milne ' s testimony upon points wlncn bring
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¦ m * ftftfi . Anousg a 1657 . 1 THE IiEADER . 763
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Leader (1850-1860), Aug. 8, 1857, page 763, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse2.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/l/issues/vm2-ncseproduct2204/page/19/
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