FOREST LIFE AND SPORT IN 
INDIA 
CHAPTER I 
INTRODUCTORY 
THE India of to-day lies like an open book before the 
world, yet it is but comparatively recently that the 
nation who first won an Empire, and now governs it 
by the strenuous exertions of her sons, has taken 
more than a passing interest in the country and in 
its inhabitants. Only a generation ago the ships 
passing to and from the East carried few save those 
who were occupied in administration or trade, or 
were returning home to recruit their strength, or to 
rest after the work of a lifetime was over. To-day 
the pleasures of a winter trip to India are known 
and enjoyed ; visitors arrive in their hundreds from 
Europe, from America, from Australia, and for three 
or four months they delight in the climate and in 
the beauties of scenery and architecture; they pass 
in comfort from one centre of attraction to the next, 
travelling luxuriously and receiving the unstinted 
hospitality of Indian Princes and English officials, 
and they leave with regret, for to them has been 
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