National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1881-03-12
EAST INDIA ITEMS
FROM BOMBAY CORRESPONDENT.
Chances at Life in the Orient-The White Ants Of
India" Tanks ut Resting Plaees-Early
Marriages of the Natives
General Notes.
Special Correspondence of the Republican,.

Specldt correspondence o. upe feDUpttctlR
BOMBAY, Jan. 29-Philosophers have
proverbially taught to go the ant for lessons OF
industry and accumulatiyeness. The white ant IS
fully industrious as his red and black brethren,
but his is work of destruction. He works insid-
iously, under cover; secretly and craftily under
mines and destroys everything. No crack or crew
ice is too small for their little bodies, and no box
| chest or cabinet secure from his invasion. They
insinuate themselves into the seams of ships and
eat the stout timbers into dust until, before the
damage is discovered, there is a terrible leak IN
the ship and the lives of passengers and crew en-
dangered 4 dozen of these creatures are sufficient
to wreck the finest ship. The beams of houses in
India and the timbers of ships are smeared with
rosin. pitch, and turpenine to prevent the incur
sions of these insects They are very ar
tistic in their mode of operation. No ragged
| edges, no unseemly gaps, mark their work.
The book lies on the table, as beautiful and
fresh as when first placed there. You take 1t up,
and the scientifically disseeted interior falls to
pieces in your grasp. You take garment from a
trunk, and 10! you hold nothing but dust-the
ashes of the fabric. You saw the woven wool, all
perfect and lovely as it laid in the trunk, but at
your touch it vanished into nothing. Pictures
share the same fate as the books. They hang
upon the walls, painted "reminiscences OF other
lands and scenes but at O near approach their
beauty vanishes like the mirage of the desert, and
they are but mockery of "has been" single
mite is sufficient for the destruction of the books,
pictures and other esthetic and artistic ornaments
of bungalow. Iron, gold silver, and other metals
alone resist their powers The greatest care and
caution is necessary to keep free from these pests.
Massulipatam and vicinity is one of the most in
tested regions. This place is also subject to fierce
scOrching winds, which ruin animal and vegetable
life. Yet, in spite of its drawbacks people do live
there and flourish among its hedges Of prickly
pears.
TANKS OR REsTING-PLACEs.
There are in various parts of India large tanks,
erected for the benefit of weary travellers and toll
worn laborers, to shelter them from the glare of
the heat of the sun. These are erected by rich
nabobs and entities. They usually built at the
foot of huge bantam tree, d nd are of brick and
plastered. The one at Saltzer which is called the
Rajah's Chonetry, was built many years ago by the
Rajah. 1t is one large room, surrounded by Il We
randall. The tank is nearly a quarter of mile
long and 200 feet broad. 1t is of great depth. The
sides are of solid masonry, and there are broad
steps leading to the waters edge. Bathing in this
tank is forbidden, for the Brahmfns, who have a
temple in this neighborhoOd, drink the water and
it for culinary purposes Bantam trees are also
often used for purposes of shelter. 1t is certainly
glorious tree, whose shooting branches form a
HOuSC. CdpsiblC vi lOluiIE5 many PCOpIS.
There is one at the Balchitty Chorelty which is
said to have once afforded shelter to whole regi-
ment of cavalry.
GENERAL NOTES.
have previously written that the crow was a
sacred bird and never killed. The kite is in the
same category, and very much reverenced Woe
betide the man who has the temerity to shoot one
of these birds, for the natives, if unrestrained,
would certainly tear him in pieces. The monkeys
are sacred animals, and are allowed to gather any
fruit which suits their fancy. They are fond of
oranges, but seem to havea preference for manages
and cocoanuts. 1t is very dangerous to anger them
when they are in the coc0anut trees, for they are
malicious and revengeful, and delight in dropping
the cocoanuts on your head if you have offended
them. There is story told of General Trappand,
long since deceased, of the Madras army. The
general was paymaster of the regiment, which
was on the march. In his tent on the table he
laid large bag of gold mOhurs, which he intended
to pay the men. He stepped out for moment, and
on his return was astonished to see huge
monkey decampng with his gold. He
called assistance, and the servants and sepoys
gave chase to the animal. He, however, ran up
huge bantam tree into the topnost branches, where
it was impossible TO reach him Guns were pointed
at him, but the Brahmins begged thathe might not
be shot, and promised if the money was lost to
make it good to the general. They gaveup the
capture and sat down. The monkey, seeing him.
self unmolested, proceeded to unfasten the bag,
and threw the gold pieces one by one into the
tank The money was afterward fished up and re-
stored to the owner.
The natives believe in marrying early; in fact,
to delay marriage until mature years is considered
a disgrace. Girls marry from eight to ten and
boys from twelve up. Young Gaikwar, of Baroda.
who was married about year ago, is still in the
school room. He was seventeen when he mar
ried and it was with the greatest difficulty that
young lady was found old enough to be his bride.
He came to the throne about six years ago. He is
ahead of all the rest of the boys in Maharajah
school, and is well versed in history, Shakespeare,
and the poets. LURA MCNALL.