S'TJEVEY OF THE' GANGES. 485 



tbewhole day. The tops of the mountains, at the base of which we had 

 passed yesterday, were this morning covered with snow, that had fallen 

 during the night; and from the appearance of the clouds, hanging over" 

 their summits, we suppose the snow continues to falL As it was Lieut, 

 Webb's intention to depute a person to Gangotri, for the purpose of as- 

 certaining the diredlion and appearance of that place, Captain Hear- 

 say's moonshee, a very intelligent man, was sele6led for that undertak- 

 ing. To render his observations more correal, he was provided with, and 

 instru6ted in the use of the compass. It vyas also signified to those of the 

 Hindus who had set their minds on the pilgrimage, and whose services 

 were not immediately required, that they, would be permitted to proceed 

 in company with him, and rejoin us at Smiagar. Although the greater 

 part of our establishment was composed of Hindus, there were only two 

 or three whose ardor was not damped by yesterday's march, and who 

 availed themselves of the proffered indulgence. The greater number 

 of them chose rather to sQn^i their offerings than present them in person. 



Two or three pilgrims, who had accompanied us from Haridwdr, were 

 deputed to lay the gifts of the absentees at the foot of the holy shrine, 

 and to bring back a little water from the sacred fount. The commission 

 was accepted with dua gravity and reverence ; the deputy standing, while 

 he received the purpDsed oblation, which was a pecuniary one, propor- 

 tioned to the abilities or zeal of the offerer, who presented it in a prostrate 

 posture, bowing to and touching the feet of the pilgrim. 



The pilgrimage to Gangoin is considered a great exertion of Hindu 

 devotion ; the performance of it is supposed to redeem the pilgrim from 

 troubles in this world, and to ensure a happy transit, through all the 

 stages of transmigration, which he may have to undergo. Tiie water ta- 



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