IN THE EAST INDIES. 59 
rich people bring their sick to die near the Holy 
River, and poor ones too if they can scrape up enough 
money to do so. We saw a great many in process 
of cremation and a great many others partly cre- 
mated and thrown into the river. The temples along 
the edge of this river are quite a sight and are fil- 
led with people and sacred cows (live cows too). 
How the pilgrims live after their bath I cannot con- 
ceive; it is entirely against our laws of hygiene. We 
went to the Monkey temple and that was very inte- 
resting. There were numerous people bringing of- 
ferings to the monkeys, which simply swarm all over 
the tem'ple, and also beating tom-toms and playing 
a sort of bagpipe to them. It was very weird to see 
them. We took quite a good many photographs. 
From Benares we came here in about fourteen hours 
in a fearfully shaky train, but I did not mind it in 
the least, for I slept right through it. 
The Palmers have been very hospitable and are 
planning all sorts of entertainments for us. I am 
so thankful that I have that embroidered dress of 
Miss Moore’s. Today was her day at home; so I re- 
ceived with her and wore it, with some of my dia- 
monds. Tomorrow we go to some races at the Coun- 
try Club, on Sunday to the Botanical Gardens and 
the Zoo and I think perhaps Monday we shall start 
for Darjeerling. At any rate we shall plan that 
this evening with the Palmers. My fountain pen 
leaked yesterday and ruined the front breadth of 
my Edelstein pongee skirt. I have lived in that suit 
ever since the Red sea; those white silk waists I got 
at Meyer Jonassons’ I could not get on without. I[ 
shall write you again when I get a chance. Give my 
