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Cheetah-connah, the place where the nabob's panthers and 

 other animals for hunting are kept. Here were some fine chee- 

 tahs, and a beautiful sya-goos, in much esteem for chasing the 

 antelope and other deer. One of the gardens contained a large 

 pellucid tank, stored with tame fish which were taught to repair 

 daily to the steps for food, and perform certain evolutions. We 

 regaled them with sweetmeats from the bazar, and were much 

 amused by their docility. 



This being the desserah, a great Hindoo festival, annually cele- 

 brated not only on shore but on the Ganges or Gunga, and all the 

 tributary streams, which more or less partake of its sanctity, we 

 resolved to delay our departure, and see some part of the ceremo- 

 nies. At five P. M. the boats began to be in motion ; they are of 

 a singular construction, particularly those called Moor-Punkees, 

 or peacock-boats, which are made as much as possible to resemble 

 the peacock ; others are decorated with the head and neck of a 

 horse, and different devices: one sort in particular, which proceeds 

 with the greatest velocity with oars, is extremely long and narrow, 

 and on that account called a snake. In the most commodious part 

 of these boats are laid carpets, cushions, and pillows, covered with 

 silk, satin, or keemcobs, fringed and embroidered with gold and 

 silver: especially those which contain the images and religious or- 

 naments; these are placed before the apartment just mentioned, 

 where the wealthy Hindoos are seated: while on a platform near 

 the deities a man dances, sings, and beats time to the oars of the 

 rowers, ornamented with bells. A number of these boats, all in 



swift motion, the company in their best attire, the images gaudily 

 VOL. iv. o 



