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THE TRAVELS OF


they might have conſtructed ſome centuries ago, under the direction of the great Akbar, the fond votary of ſcience, and the diſtinguiſhed patron of the Bramins who applied, with unwearied aſſiduity, to the ſtudy of aſtronomy.

The country about Benaras, is conſidered as the Paradiſe of India, remarkable for its ſalubrious air, faſcinating landſcapes, and innocence of its inhabitants, whoſe ſimple manners had a happy influence on all who lived near them. While waſteful war ſpread her horrors over other parts of India, this bliſsful country often, eſcaped her ravages, pehaps ſecured by it's diſtance from the ocean, or more pro-

bably