JIG 



delicate domes and minarets of the mosques. In some parts of 

 the city, sad to relate, nineteenth century barbarism had trans- 

 formed the ancient buildings into government offices of various 

 kinds. There is now, however, a vigorous movement for the 

 preservation of antiquities in India, and, where proper discretion 

 is used, much is done to prevent old buildings from falling into 

 decay, without interfering A\ith their original design. 



We passed a picturesque old tank, containing green, filthy 

 looking Avater. At one side bullocks were walking up and down 

 an inclined plane, alternately drawing up and letting down by a 

 rope a bucket into the water. The water when draAvn is emptied 

 into a canal and thence distributed over the land. A public 

 tank is attached to almost every village iu the plains of India, 

 and serves as a place for Avashing, for drinking, and often as a 

 receptacle for refuse of various kinds. No wonder that when 

 cholera invades a district it woi'ks such fearful havoc amongst 

 the native population. Strange to say, at other times the people 

 habitually drink this filthy water apparently with impunity. 



They showed us a quaint old bronze gun, grotesquely 

 fashioned at the muzzle to represent the head of a fish. The 

 maker had given it the rather pretentious name of " Malik i 

 Maidan," or Lord of the Plain. Doubtless it had been a terror 

 in its time, and as it lay neglected on the forsaken ramparts, it 

 seemed unkind to compare it with the more prosaic artillery of 

 of modern days. 



We had received through Dr. Lawrie a kind invitation from 

 the Nizam's Government to visit Hyderabad. This was accord- 

 ingly our next halting place. Leaving the Great Indian Penin- 

 sular Eailway at Wadi, Ave entered the Nizam's Dominions pass- 

 ing throvigh undulating country, covered more or less Avith 

 short scrubby bush, which Ave Avere informed sheltered cheetahs, 

 and other large game. Hunting Avith tame cheetahs is a favourite 

 sport in this part of the country, as is also falconry. On the 

 platform at Wadi Ave saAV Shikaris carrying about falcons ready 

 equipped Avith hood and jess for the chase. This Avas one of the 

 many instances in Avhich during our travels Ave Avere suddenly 

 brought in contact Avitli the past. Old sports, old customs and 

 old arts survive in India Avith a Avonderful vitality. This is 

 especially noticeable in the bazaars, Avhere, Avith the most 

 primitive tools, objects of the most cunning Avorkmanship and of 

 high artistic merit are daily manufactured. 



(To he continued.) 



