Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1879-10-30
Written ~ tho CEsGEI DrNorHAr.
Maharashtra.
~ REV. GALES ". SELLER.

80. II.
MESsEs. EplroRs:-l arrived in the
harbor OF Bombay on the 10th OF De
cember, 1870; and rs day was breaking
! could see the Syhadri or Chants range
OF mountains running north aud south
about thirty miles from the coast. II
would require too much space and time
TO write all about my first impressions
Of Bombay and its inhabitants Suffice
it to say that ! saw a city Of 10000 in.
habitants, including some 300 Euro.
peans, whose narrow, irregular streets
were alive with natives, Arabs, Per.
slams, Abysinians, &C. dressed in va.
rious and picturesque costumes. The
modern part OF the city, inhabited
chiefly by English officials and wealthy
natives, contains some substantial and
handsome residences. many of them
surrounded by beautiful gardens The
public buildings-such as the post Office,
telegraph Office. high court and whole.
sale storcs-are costly and imposing.
The streets are lighted with gas, and
the municipal laws are such a. to insure
many Of our modern Improvements and
comforts. The day after my arrival in
bombay was sunday, and although
knew not a word Of the vernacular Ian.
guaee Marathil went to Rev. Vishnu.
punt's church, where met some native
Christians and heard missionary
preach. ! could recall only two words
Of his sermon, after the service, and
that was because lie repeated them
frequently.
From Bombay went 10 Poona, ll9
miles by rail. where | was received by
Mrs. Fraser. Scotch lady. II was dark
when the train reached Poona, but
servant soon found me and took me to
Mrs. Frasers. vas there several days
and visited several Scotch missionaries.
saw girls boarding school, where a
number Of girls are taught English,
some of whom recited TO me lesson in
Geography. was also taken to large
mission school in the heart OF the city,
and was surprised at the progress many
natives have made in English studies.
They we're remarkably we'll acquainted
with the history Of England, and / was
pleased to see how we'll some of them
could pharaphrase difficult sentences in
Macaulay's essays. by request, spoke
on Genesis III. to hundred young
men, all seated on the floor, and then
heard Bible lesson.
PooDa has about 100000 inhabitants,
including several thousand English, and
is beautifully situated. II enjoys many
of the advantages of an English city
and has fine buildings and mAcadamized
streets lined with trees. For a century
ii was the capital of Maharastra, where
the chief ruler or Peislaoa reigned. Many
soldiers, English and Sepoys, are quar-
tered in Poona in two camps. drove
through the English camp one evening
and heard artistic music discoursed by
q native band. was agreeabiy disap
pointed in the quality of meals in India.
While travelling, noticed that the far.
ther east went the poorer was the
table fare, but in Bombay, Poona and
other cities where there are English set.
Elements, mutton, fowls, potatoes, egg.
plants, &C., are plenty. Curry, which is
composed of turmeric, cocoanut. onions,
cardamom seeds, red pepper and other
spices, cooked with meat and eaten with
rice, is favorite Indian dish. Brah.
mans and many other Hindus being
vegetarians. eat the curry without meat.
When in Poona | noticed that the
sphere of individual labor was quite
limited butler does not cook, and
cook combines himself to the kitchen.