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still descend to the wells, and continue to pour the water into an 
adjacent trough for the convenience of the cattle. 
The natives of the torrid zone are not fond of exercise; walk- 
ing is by no means considered as a pleasing recreation; they like 
to ride a good horse, with gentle paces, or to take the air in a 
hackree, a sort of chariot drawn by white oxen; it is seldom hung 
on springs, and consists of a conical dome, supported by four pil- 
lars, covered with broad cloth, and curtains in front and on each 
side, to open at pleasure. Officers of government, and men of 
rank are carried in a palankeen, or more properly a palkee, an 
Asiatic luxury, as yet unknown in Europe. It is composed of a 
shell, or frame, about six feet long, and half as broad, fixed to a 
long bamboo, forming a bold curve in the center, which there rises 
about four feet from the frame. Over the bamboo is spread a 
canopy of cloth, or velvet, the length of the shell, adorned with 
fringes and tassels of gold, silver, or silk; and the frame contains 
a bed and pillows, covered with silk, and so disposed that you 
may either sit up or recline, as is most agreeable. The palankeen 
is carried by four men, who with relays, travel at a great rate; and 
I think there is not a more cheerful or happy set of people in 
India, than the generality of the palankeen bearers. 
The Asiatics love to retire with their women and children to 
some cool spot near a river or tank, shaded by the friendly banian 
tree, or spreading mango; there they enjoy that sort of indolent 
repose which they are so fond of; and partake of an innocent 
repast of herbs and fruits, on the verdant carpet. 
The wealthy Mahometans, Hindoos, and Parsees, frequently 
