( 755 ) 
lie would leave them to their ways, and never under- 
take any fuch thing again. 
The Religious at Tome certain feafons of the year 
come unto the Pdver Ganges (which they call the Holy 
River) in vaft multitudes, even from many parts of 
Tartarjf, to wafti away their lins, and make expiation 
for their faaits. 
This G<z^ges is a-^delicate fine River, cjiiefly for the 
fake of its moft fweet, pore and clear. Waters, which 
have got it the greateft efteem of any River in the Eaft. 
I have oftentimes fail'd many miles up it, and have 
found it in fonie places not to be above a mile broadjin 
others not half fo much, and in one or two places not 
above one eighth ot a mile. In April, when the Wa- 
ter is at the ioweft^ it is almoft dry in many places ^ 
but when it is attheKgheft, v/hich is commonly about 
the middle of September^ it is very deep, and many 
miles broad. 
When the people are here gathered together, they 
have a great many ftrange Cuftoms and Ceremonies, 
and pay a kind of Divine Honour and Worfhip to the 
River, too long and tedious here to mention. The 
Hmdoo's and Bramms pvQSich 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 Charitable to the poor and needy. 
It is reported, that upon the Hills by C^y^^re there 
are men that live fome hundreds of years, and can 
hold their breaths, and lye in Trances for feveral years 
together, if they be but kept warm 5 and that every 
year fome of them come down unto the people at, 
Ganges^ and do many great Cures 5 for whom they 
have fuch a veneration, that they frequently drink the 
Water they wafti their fweaty Feet in. 
The Penances and Aufterities that they undergo are 
almoft incredible 5 moft oi them, through their conti- 
nual 
