108 
BENARES. 
It takes about fifteen days to go through the whole business of 
praying and making offerings of fruit to each, accompanied, of 
course, with money to the priests. On the first day the pilgrim 
washes in the holy well of Munkernika ; afterwards, each day in 
the Ganges. 
The climate of Benares is considered as very healthy. It is situa- 
ted in ^5° 30' north, and from its vicinity to the Thibetian moun- 
tains, which are in winter covered with snow, is sometimes so cold 
as to produce icicles. Hoar frost is not uncommon in a morning. 
The houses of the English at Secrole are good and handsome ; 
there is a nakedness in their appearance from the want of trees, 
but this is absolutely necessary in India, unless you choose to be de- 
voured by musquitoes. Our elephants brought us back by breakfast 
time; after which, as the day was cool, I returned the visits that 
remained unpaid. 
Mr. Hawkins resides in the house that was occupied by Mr. Davis, 
during the ephemeral insurrection of Vizier Ali. I examined the 
staircase that leads to the top of the house, and which he defended 
with a spear for upwards of an hour and a half, till the troops came 
to his relief. It is of a singular construction, in the corner of a room 
built intirely of wood, on a base of about four feet; the ascent is 
consequently so winding and rapid, that with difficulty one person 
can get up at a time. Fortunately, also, the last turn by which you 
reach the terrace faces the wall. It was impossible, therefore, for 
the people below to take aim at him whilst he defended the ascent 
with a spear ; they however fired several times, and the marks of 
the balls are visible in the ceiling. A man had at one time hold of 
his spear, but by a violent exertion he dragged it through his hand, 
