ARRIVE AT LUCKNOW. 
125 
CHAPTER XI. 
ANECDOTE OF A HINDOO. — THE NEWAUB OF LUCKNOW. 
From Futtygur we crossed the Ganges,, and pro- 
ceeded to Lucknow on the river Goomty. As soon as 
we reached this splendid metropolis, our palankeen 
bearers came in a body to congratulate us on our safe 
arrival at the great city, and at the same time begged 
we would give them something for having conducted 
us in safety thus far. We accordingly bought them a 
sheep, which they soon killed, and converting the flesh 
into curries regaled themselves, as it appeared, to their 
infinite satisfaction. They were all Hindoos of the 
Sudra caste, which is the lowest of the four legiti- 
mate divisions. Now, although according to their 
Vedas and Puranas, even this caste is prohibited from 
taking the life of animals, except in sacrifice, yet it 
is certain that while some sects adhere, as the Bhud- 
dists to the letter of the prohibition, even to the 
preservation of vermin, yet are there a vast number 
of high caste Hindoos, and even of Brahmins, who do 
not hesitate to destroy animal life upon particular 
occasions, though they chiefly confine themselves to 
animals noxious or wild, except in cases, as above 
stated, where the love of good feeding induces them 
to eat as well as to kill. But whilst, however, they 
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