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But when the sun, with fierce meridian ray, 

 Pours the bright torrent of ethereal fire, 



When ravening birds, and prowling beasts of prey, 

 Seek the green shade, or to the den retire ; 



Then, stretch'd at ease in plantain-shelter'd bower, 



Poetic fiction, or the classic page, 

 May oft beguile the tedious sultry hour, 



And the ripe cocoa's juice his thirst assuage. 



■ Observe the Hindoo, whose untutor'd mind, 

 All false seductive luxury disdains ; 

 To nature's wants his wishes are confined, 



While Health her empire o'er his frame maintains. 



His modes of life, by ancient sages plann'd, 



To suit die temper of his burning skies, 

 He, who the climate's rage would long withstand, 



Will wisely imitate, nor e'er despise !" J. Johnson. 



The villages in the Dhuboy purgunna generally consist of 

 thatched cottages, built of mud, and a few brick houses, with 

 tiled roofs; a small dewal, a mosque, and sometimes a choultree, 

 are the only public buildings. Near the large villages there is 

 generally a tank, or lake, where the rain is collected, for the use of 

 the cattle in the dry season; when, for the space of eight months, 

 not a shower falls, and no water is to be met with except in these 

 reservoirs: they are often enclosed with strong masonry, and their 

 banks adorned by banian, mango, and tamarind-trees, to shade the 

 weary traveller, and lessen evaporation. The tanks are constructed 

 at the expense of government, or by an assessment on the villages; 

 they also contribute to the masonry of a good well, and cistern for 

 the cattle, when the large reservoirs fail. Sometimes these useful 



