The Hartford herald. [volume] (Hartford, Ky.) 1875-1926, 1877-09-19
From the Temperance AGyaace.
Famine I'm India.
The Lexington " eekly Press of the
18th, says:

nv A@SAh6SOA "SShhy ACoS VA Ihe
18th, says:
"The statistics of the famine in In
dia continue to be portentous. There
is steady increase, especially in Mad
ras, of the number applying for relief.
Within fortnight, this has amounted
to no fewer than 385, 900. About l.,
800, 900 persons are employed on the
relief works about as many more are
the objects of annually gratuitOus chart
ty. A short time ago the number &C
tually dependent upon the aims for
daily food was stated in the House of
Commons at 100000. To these
melancholy details it must be added
that the Autumnal crops are hopeless
in Southern India, very dubiOs in
Western, Central and Northern India,
and only tolerably good in Eastern In
dia. The fall of rain in Madras is
spoken of as moderate or light. In
Mysore there have been only good
showers. In Bombay there has been
good rain in the Southern Collecto-
rates, but over the rest of the famine
area only a partial and uncertain fall
In other districts there is anxiety, and
rain is still much wanted. The gen.
eral prospect is declared to be discOur-
aging; only an lnprecedent rain can
make up the deficiency of the last four
months. The prices of grain continue
to be extremely high in the famine
districts-the pressure in the South
ern Presidency being terrible, and
grain selling there at rates double
those which ruled in Bengal three
years ago. Trade, however, in South
ern India continues active, and the
stocks of grain are considered suffi-
Gent for immediate demands.
With the famine has naturally come
epidemic disease. The mortality from
from all sources is moderately COM
puted at 500, 900. Cholera and small
pox especially prevail in Madras and
Mysore. The want of rains has low
cred the wells; tae quantity and puri-
ty of the water have been diminished ;
and this cause alone would aggravaie
cholera. In consequence of these
causes, there can be no isolation of the
cases of smallpox, and its ravages
are proportionately multiplied. There
is every reason for believing that the
virulence of both diseases will in
crease"
Truly this great nation is in de-
plorable condition. 1t should excite
the deepest sympathy in the hearts of
all the peoples and nationallties Of
earth, and we are gratified to notice
some of the degree of interest in the
matter. The Weekly Press, adds:
"That there is no lack of sympa-
thy, either in England or India, with
this extraordinary distress. The con-
dition of the people of India is every
where spoken of pitifully. They are
described as industrious and patient,
obedient to the law, grateful and loyal.
But the enormous proportions Of the
trouble make it a very difficult one to
deal with, however excellent the inten-
tons of the authorities"
1t should be remembered that the
Population of this country amounts to
not less than from Is, 100000 to TO-
900, 900. TIE devise plans for relief of
so vast multitude in so great distress.
is truly. difficult matter. Conflict
ing opinions will necessarily arise.
And yet the emergency of the case
demands hasty, prompt and liberal ac-
tons. We hope most earnestly that
the nations of earth will not delay to
act promptly.