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virtues: were not the Hindoos infamous for the want of generosity 
and gratitude in all the commerces of friendship; were they not a 
tricking, deceitful people, in all their dealings; their charity could 
not be deemed to arise from the influence of superstition/' 
Such are the sentiments of one of the best judges, and most 
humane investigators of the manners and customs of the Hindoos. 
The sleek and glossy appearance of Govindsett’s brahmins re- 
minded me of the singular suicides abovementioned. The dewal 
itself answered Dr. Fryer’s description “ of a fair pagod, or 
temple beleagured with a grove of trees which cast a lustre bright 
and splendid, the sun reverberating against its refulgent spire, 
crowned with a globe white as alabaster.” Such was Govindsett’s 
temple, encircled by groves and fountains, among flowers, fruits, 
and a variety of aromatic shrubs so much esteemed in India: the 
extensive lake was covered with the nymphea, waving its lovely 
blossoms of azure, white, and rose-colour, to every motion of the 
breeze. This oriental beauty is often mentioned by the ancients: 
it was as much a favourite with the Egyptians as with the Hin- 
doos; the former considered it an object of religious veneration; the 
latter offer it in sacrifice, and as a decoration in their temples. 
Herodotus mentions a people called Lotophagi, who lived entirely 
upon the fruit of the lotos; of what species I cannot determine; 
as the fruit was the size of the mastic, and sweet like the date, from 
which they also made wine. He says the Egyptians eat the root 
of the plant, which was of a pleasant flavour; and from the flour 
of the seed they made bread. These properties of the nymphea, 
and the rhamnus lotus of Linnaeus, are confirmed by Pliny, and 
may possibly be known in some countries at this day. 
