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all the coluber genus, or trusting lo the reputed benevolence of 

 the warning lizard, they enjoyed a listless indolence, or entered on 

 the political news of the day, a favourite topic with most of* the 

 castes in India. Under these trees were some rude altars of single 

 stones; uncouth, and apparently unhewn; smooth by age and 

 the friction of the worshippers, especially an ordeal stone under 

 a banian-tree, daily strewed with flowers, and anointed with oil, 

 where the citizens generally assembled for their morning discus- 

 sions. This scene reminded me of Nestor at Pylos, and shews a 

 great similarity of manners. 



" The old man early rose, walk'd forth, and satr 

 " On polish'd stone before his palace gate ; 

 " With unguents smooth the lucid marble shone . 

 •' Where ancient Neleus sat, a rustic throne; 

 " But he descending to the infernal shade, 

 " Sage Nestor fill' J it, and the scepter sway'd." Odyssey. 



A public well without the Gate of Diamonds was a place of 

 still greater resort; there most travellers hailed for shade and re- 

 freshment. The women, as already mentioned, frequent the foun- 

 tains and reservoirs morning and evening to draw water. Many of 

 the Guzcrat wells have steps leading down to the surface of the water, 

 others have not; nor do I recollect any furnished with buckets and 

 ropes for the convenience of a stranger; most travellers are therefore 

 provided with them, and halcarras and religious pilgrims frequently 

 carry a small brass pot, affixed to a long string for this purpose. 

 The Samaritan woman, in the memorable conversation with our 



