HINDOO SUPERSTITION. 
121 
From Mathura we proceeded towards the capital of 
the province. On the road the distances are regularly 
marked by coss stones,, the coss being two miles. These 
stones form large octagonal pillars, from twenty to 
thirty feet high ; they are generally composed of brick 
and covered with a dark stucco, on which the distances 
are legibly cut in large characters. The whole of 
the country from Delhi to Agra is rich in architectural 
remains, impressing upon the mind of the traveller 
a grand idea of bygone generations. But it is not 
abundant only in the noble ruins of past ages ; there 
are also mighty evidences of the taste and capacity of 
modern times to challenge our admiration and pro- 
voke our praise. 
From Agra we crossed the Jumna, and proceeded 
by the usual route to Futtygur. Here we were most 
hospitably entertained for several days by the com- 
manding officer of a small detachment stationed in 
this town, which is one of the several military de- 
pots on the Ganges. During our stay we witnessed 
the awful effects of superstition on the human mind, 
when not counteracted by the higher energies of 
reason. 
About three weeks before our arrival a servant of 
our host had, by accident, run against an old woman 
in the bazaar and nearly knocked her down, upon which 
she poured upon him such a torrent of abuse as to 
rouse his anger. In a moment of irritation he pushed 
her violently forward ; she immediately fell, and her 
head came in contact with the stone steps of a house, 
which cut it severely, and she was picked up sense- 
M 
