%6\ MifcelkneA Ct^riofa. ' Vol. III. 



found it in fome places not to be above a 

 Mile broad, in others not half fo much, and 

 in one or two places not above one eighth 

 of a Mile. In Afril^ when the Water is at 

 the loweft, it is almoft dry in many places j 

 but when it is at the higheft, which is com-- 

 monly about the middle of September^ it is 

 irery deep, and many Miles broad. 



When the People arc here gathered tOf 

 gether, they have a great many llrange 

 Cuftomsand Ceremonies, and pay a kind of 

 Divine Honour and Worfiiip to the River, 

 too long and tedious here to mention. The 

 Hindoo^s zn^ Br amines preach then every day 

 to the people, teaching them their Duties, 

 and ordering them to fay fuch and fuch 

 'Prayers -, but above all things to be Chari- 

 table to the poor and needy. 



It is reported, that upon the Hills by 

 Cafmere there are men that live fbme hunr- 

 dreds of Years, and can hold their Breaths, 

 gnd lye in Trances for feveral Years together, 

 if they be but kept warm ^ and that every year 

 Ibme of them come down unto the People 

 at Ganges^ and do many great Cures j foi^ 

 whom they have fuch a Veneration, that they 

 frequently drink the Water they wafli their 

 Sweaty Feet in. 



The Penances and Aufterit|e$ that they 

 ' undergo are almoft incredible ^ mpft of them, 

 through their continual Faftings, ancl lying 

 upon the parching hot Sand in the H^at of 

 the Sun, are fo Lean, DryM and Withered, 

 that they look like Skeletons or Shadows^ 

 and one can fcarce perceip them to brtathV 

 or feci their Pulfe beat. 



When 



