New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1854-01-26

Benares, the Holy City OF the Hindoos and one OF
the most ancient in India lies upon the northern bank
OF the Gsnges, at the point where receives the ws
ters of two small tributaries the Burma and Arsee,
from whose united is derived that Of the town.
All functions Of other rivers with the Gauges are So
cred, but that Of the Jumna and the invisible Sers-
watee at Alahabad, surpasses all others in holiness
Nevertheless, Bensres, from having been the spot
where Mahadeo, (if am not mistakenly made his last
srstar, or ncarnate appearance on ts~ earth, 10
peculiarly sancfed that all persons who live within
circuit Of i've miles-eyen the abhorred Mussulmau
and the beefeatiDg EDglish-go to Paradise, whether
they wish it or According 70 the Gospel oil the
Brsbmins, the city and that portion of territory
included within the aforesaid radius OF i've miles 10
not like all the rest Of the earths bulk balanced upon
the back of the great Tortoise, but upheld upon the
points of Shiyas trident In this belief, they boldly
affirmed that though all other parts OF the world
might be shaken 10 pieces no earthquake could adect
the stability Of Benares-until lo2c when OF sud
den, towers and temples thrown down, hundreds
buried in the wreck, and halbut quays and palaces
go spt and sunlen, that the boastiu builders ei on
their work which stands at this day in the same hide
state of ruin. This mundane city, however, ltney
say is but faint shadow dim reflection OF the real
Benares, which is built upon plain halfway between
earth and heaven.
The English cantonments encrcle the old Hindoo
city, Owing to the Deep dry beds of the small rivers,
which scar tie rather arid level which it covers the
setlen ent has not the bomeke, pleasing features OF
others in Hindostan. There are few handsome prr
crit College which is considered the finest modern
"a fee in India. To those who are familiar with the
asst india ComJanys efforts in this line such an opin-
ion will not raise very high expectations The Col
lege il Gothic cr0ss-a remlnscence OF O1iord ana
beautiful as il is in many respects we should prefer
something else, to project against background OF
palms and tamaIinds. II 10 built of the soft, rose
coored sandstone of Chenar and the delicate beauty
of its buttretses and plnnacles wrought ~ TINS ma
ters make us regret that the architect had not avaed
liutef of tie rich stores of Saracenic art which the
mosques and ton be Of the Mogul Emperors afford him
Gothic architecture does not and never can be made
10 barmonze with the forms of tropical landscape
The plan of this College is unique, and has OF late
hon The subect of much criticism 1t was established
by tie East India Company sxtythree years ago, for
tie purpoee Of nstructing the children OF Brahmns In
the Sanfcrit Philosophy and Literature and slncethe
Lcton Of tie new building the English college
has been incorporated with it, The Principal, Dr.
Ballantyne who is probably the profoundes Sanscrt
scholar living has taken advantage OF this Junction 70
set on foot an experiment, which, II successful VIII
produce an entire revolution in the philosophy OF the
Bralmins The native scholars in the English College
are made acquainted with the nducye philosophy OF
Bacon while the students OF Sanscrt take as text
book the MAYA system il is called, OF Gautama the
ceebIste Hindoo philosopher. There are many points
OF approach in these two systems ana Ut. Ddantyne
has be- led to combine them in such way as finally to
place the student, who commences with the re-
lined speculaoDs of Guatama, upon the broad and hrm
basis Of the Baconan system. He is thus prepared to
receive tie truths of the sciences knowledge
of which must gradually but inevitably, overthrow the
gorgeous enol mites OF his religious faith
Alter visiting Mr. Reid the Commissioner OF the Dis
trict Mr.. Hall accompanied me to the Mission estao,
li NE of the English Church. Here there is small
VILLAGE Of native Christians whom could not but CON-
tas,opate Cut of forever from intercourse with their
hiuds denounced uncleau and accursed they show
ed their isolation by quiet, patient demeanOr, as
they passyey sustained their new alth instead OF act
lively rejoicing in it. There was, however, visible
/ - lnsrL .ttaa halAa
and order End the faces o. the women, could not but
notice showed that the teachings Of the missionaries
| Lad rot been lost upon them. 1 wish could have
more faith in the sincerity OF these converts but the
fact that there is pecunlary gam, no matter no"
slight in becoming Christian throws doubt upon the
verify of their spiritual regeneration. Ii lacking
employ ment, tLey put in the way OF obtaining IL
destitute their wants relieved and when gathered
into communities as here, they are lu1asucu WIN
DIV eliufs rent-iree While cheerfully testify to the
zeal and falfuness of those WHO labor IN the cause,
| | must confess that have not yet witnessed any
results which fatisy that the vast expenditure oil
money, talent End life in missionary enterprises, mas
| been req aid.
speit to-day in the streets and temples Of Benares.
As city il presents picturesque and impress
i've Whole than either Delhi Lucknow, though 1t has
no such OF architectural spendor as those cities
Tie streets are narrow and crooked but paved win
LARGE slabs of sandstone; the houses lofty sub
stsntal structures Of wood, with projecting stories,
and at every tuIn the eye rests upon the gded cOnca
dOmes of Hindoo temple or the tall mlnaret OF Ma
htmetan mosque. 1t is wilderness OF fantastic build
ines in which you constantly surprised by new and
striking combinations and picturesque effects OF light
/ and shade should have been content to wander
about at random in the labyrinth but my companion
insisted Oh going at to the Golden Pagoda or great
ten pie Of MahadeO, and thither accordingly went
Tie narrow streets obstructed, In the vicinity
of tie temple with numbers of the sacred bulls Be-
naIes swarns with these animals, which are as great
uuisance to the place the mendcant riars are to
Rome They knowing bulls perfectly conscious OF
tier sacred character and presume upon 1t TO commit
all sorts Of depredations They the terror OF the
dealers in fruits and vegetables, for although not al
wUs exempted from blows no one can stand before
their and these they do not scruple to use II
necessary to secure their end Sometimes, on their
foIalng expeditions, they boldly enter the houses,
march up stairs and take q stroll the nat roofs,
where they may be seen looking down with quiet in
terest ON the passing crowds below From these emil
ces they take survey OF the surrounding country
calculate its resources and having selected one OF the
richest spots within their circle of vision, descend
strairbtway and set of in a Decline for the place,
which IL e, never fail TO find When the helds look
promising on the other side of the Ganges they march
down 10 the river banks and prevent any passenger
from Going on board the ferry boats until they are per-
tilted TO enter. They and remain there until
the supplies are exhausted, when they force passage
back in the same manner The gardens OF the English
residents frequently suffer from their depredations and
tie only efectual way OF guarding against them Is 10
woke item once, and keep them at hard labor for
day OF two which so utterly disgusts them with the
place that they never return TO it, 1t is also affirmed
II AT they carefully avoid the neighborh0od OF those
butchers who supply the tables Of the English having
observed that of their brethren disappeared IN
miraculous manner after irequentng such localities.
Wewere fortunate in visit to the Golden Pagoda,