for the insolence of the Brahmins had aroused their anger. After this we had our few feet of territory to ourselves.
We now retreated to our palankeens and lay down; but these box-like abodes were insupportable with the thermometer at 102°, and we had to come out and submit to the ceaseless gaze of the people.
Permit me here to observe to the reader, that although dwelling in a tent under the shade of an Indian grove, beside a village tank, with palankeens and bearers for conveyance, and dusky Hindus and lordly Brahmins standing as a background to the picture, may sound romantic and delightful, it is a life that has its reality too. A tent, without walls to keep out the scorching land-wind and the reflected glare of a torrid sun, is but a poor residence for the exotic from the temperate zone. Nor does water of the thickness of chocolate seem sweet, even though from a “tank.” Moreover, the ceaseless stare of a crowd, (to whom you cannot be always preaching,) from the time you rise until you retire at night, even though no act of discourtesy is committed, becomes very trying.
Yet it is a high privilege to be permitted to
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