The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1875-03-13
Ghines abroad.
From the Home Journal
IN CENTRAL INDIA.
by FRANK VINCENT, JH,

sixteenth century, stands ut the head OF
steam navigation on the Ganges, one
thousand miles from Calcutta The old
fort at the junction of the Jumna aud
Ganges Rivers, much modernized by the
English, now contains one Of the largest
arsenals iu India. Nearly in the centre of
this fort stands a round column Of red
sandstone, about fifty feet in height, which
is covered with ancient Pail characters.
This shaft is supposed to be or' of King
Asocas edict columns and to date from
two hundred years B. G, The proclama-
ton carved upon it prohibits cruelty to
animals, so that Mr.. Henry Bergh, of
New York city, has venerable as well as
royal precedence for his disinterested
labors in like direction.
From Allahabad | went on through
level, fertile, and but partially cultivated
country to Cawnpore, about one hundred
and twenty miles distant. This city will
be remembered in all future ages in con-
nection with the atroeious massacre Of the
wives and children Of Anglo-Indian sol
diers by the infuriated Sepoys in the
rebellion of 1857 1t has population of
sixty thousand inhabitants (natives,) aud
about eight thousand English troops, since
it is one Of the most important military
stations in Hindoostan. The ehoUk or
principal street Of the city Is lined with
three and four story brick houses, and the
market contains a great variety of fine
fruits and vegetables, for the production of
which the soil round about is peculiarly
well adapted There are no beautiful
temples or mosques, nor any antiquities,
nor any fine European buildings TO be
seen in Cawnpore. The absorbing and
painful interest Of the place is its associa-
ton with the terrible Indian mutiny eigh-
teen years ago.
The English especially among nations
are ever mindful of their great men; of
those who have devotedly served the state
the memory is kept alive by every show of
respect and honor that mind can plan or
arm can execute. In Cawnpore there Is
Memorial Garden, six or eight acres in
extent, tastefully laid out with lawns and
graveled paths, and filed with trees,
shrubs, and beautiful flowers. On grassy
knoll in the centre Of this garden stands
what is termed the Memorial II con-
sists of circular stone platform, about ten
feet in height, surrounded by an open
railing-a Gothic screen, Of beautiful
design aud inish--the whole Of red sand,
stone. Entering the inclosure, We behold
the large statue Of female figure, with
long wings, standing upon a circular stone
pedestal. 1t is cut from pure Italian
marble and was designed by the celebrat-
ed sculptor, Marochetti An inscription
in old English text carved upon the base,
announces that this monument Is SACRED
to the perpetual memory of great com
pany of Christian people, chiefly women
and children, who near this spot were
cruelty massacred by the rebel Mana
Dhoondpoot, of Bithoor, and cast, the dy-
ing with the dead, into the well below, on
the fifteen day Of February, 1887 Over
the door on the minor side one may read
this inscription -" Erected by the British
Government, 1863" aud outside, the
Scripture text, "Theso are they which came
out Of tribulation."
A fine effect is produced by the contrast
of the white marble statue, which shows
through the open-work screen of red chuner
stone, and the bright green of the turf
which covers the mound. Near BY are
the graves of many Of those who fell dur
ing the siege. No native is allowed to
enter this garden without perpit from
the authorities, but !. would be even more
appropriate if they were peremptorily
excluded The Memorial Garden is now
in charge of an old English soldier, named
William Murphy, who was one Of the only
two survivors Of the fearful massacre
the other being Colonel Mowbray Thomp-
son, still on duty in some part of India.
Only a few months ago, il will be re.
membered, there was report that Nam
Sahib, the perpetrator Of the Cawnpore
massacre, who was said to have died Of
fever in 1858, was alive and had been
captured. And though at first the report
was confirmed, il was soon afterward
proved false, as Colonel Thompson failed
TO identify the person who claimed to be
the infamous traitor.
The guides viii show you the site ofthe
entrenchment In which General Wheeler,
with his small band of soldiers and the
European aud halfcaste residents, were
assembled, and for twenty one days held
the place, in the face Of a continual FIRE
from the Nana's troops. No vestige of
the entrenthment now remains, but the
well is still to be seen from whence, at the
peril of their lives, the unfortunate SOL
diers had to procure their supplies of
water. A small plot Of ground near the
barracks Is completely filed with graves OF
these victims Of sepcy treaehery, and in
its centre is a massive stone cross, bearing
. long and appropriate inscription.
Lucknow is distant about forty miles
from Cawnpore, and is reached by branch
railway. AT the station it vasvery anus
ing to observe the customs Of the natives
when travelling They sit or lie upon the
platform aud chat and smoke or cat aud
drink until the first tain going their way
arrives, whether Il be half AN bnur or |.