Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1883-09-15
Summer in india.


Correspondence Of the New York Observer.
Only those who have experienced the heat OF
summer on the plains of India can have any
conception of the fiery ordeal through which the
jewellers here are called to pass. and to neglect
to make such provision as is possible for the
alienation of the fierce heat would be reckless
in the extreme. Taking up the morning paper
one day since the commencement of the present
hot season, saw noted therein the death of a
European lady in one of the hotels of the city.
She had arrived by train from Bombay, and
had declined the use of any cooling apparatus
for her room. In the morning when servant
took in her early breakfast she was found lying
upon the floor near the door, quite dead, q
victim of heat apOpleXy.
We rise early during the hot season in India,
for the morning gives to US the only refresh
ment which the day furnishes and even at that
time we often pant TOR cool breath. The early
morning is the time for action. The missionary
with his helpers goes forth to bazaar or village to
tell to all who will listen the wondrOus story of
Saviour's love. the pastor visits the members
of his flock, the physician his patients in home
or hospital; the government official repairs to
his office to do duty there; the merchant serves
his customers the laborer goes forth to his toll.
The seeker of health or pleasure, too, Is abroad,
and nurses are out with pale-faced children in
charge. but not infrequentiy more intent upon
their own pleasure than upon their appropriate
duties. chatting with chance acquaintance and
shielding themselves from the sun, while their
helpless charges sit in their little carriages I'M
protected from the dazzling light and heat.
BY or 10 o'clock the "white foreigners are
seen fastening home, and through the remain
ing hours of the day the European in India is
prisoner within the walls Of his habitation, as
glad of protection from the burning heat as he
would be for shelter from winters storm. But
though confined within doors he need not be
idle. The student has uninterrupted hours for
study, translation or other literary work: the
pastor has leisure for the preparation of SER
Mons; the man of business can devote himself
to his ledgers, and the invalid can secure quiet
hours for rest.
Since the introduction Of railways into India
large proportion of the government officials,
as well as many Others who can afford the in
diligence. have residence for the summer
months In some Himalayan retreat. These
mountain resorts, which the railways have made
easily accessible, are great blessing to the in
valid; and in these delightful spots, where the
air is fresh and bracing, the pale-taced children
OF the plains grow plump and rosy.
Through April and May the heat continues to
increase, and reaches it's maximum in June or
July, when the rainy season opens. During
these sultry months the sun burns its way
through the heavens, day after day. The skies
are brass, and the earth srone with fiery at
mOSphere between.
Several years ago while taking q railway
journey in the month of May we suffered
greatly from the heat, though we had made use
Of such means "a were at our command for our
relief. We left the train at the close Of a long,
glowing day, and when the compartment ad-
joining our own was thrown open the only Oc-
cupant, gentleman, was found in an uncon-
scious state, sufferer from heat apOplexy. Is
1t any marvel that such seizures are frequent.
when during the heated term the mercury in
the sun reaches 1870 and even 17So, and 1850 or
1l60 In the shade. The air at this season is not
only hot, but dry. From the LIST Of January to
the 10th of June out 81 inches Of rain had
fallen.
The monotony Of the hot season Is relieved by
frequent dust-stOrms, which, though not pleas
ant in themselves, purify the air. We see q
yellow cloud rising out of the west and advanc-
ing swiftly. until the whole heavens become
lurid. The clouds of dust and sand borne on the
wind, darken the air as they approach, until the
blackness Knight sometimes settles down upon
the earth; while through every crevice the driv-
ing sand finds it's way, leaving books, furniture,
everything in condition exceedingly trying to
tidy housekeeper. Great trees are sometimes
uprOOted In such storms.
During the hot season the nights are excess
sivey trying for there is little abatement of the
heat, and worn with the long conflict, attended
by 80 few alleviatOns, no wonder that the
cheeks grow pale, the step langnid and labor
burden: Even the people Of the land are
affected By the great heat, and while the hot
winds are blowing we frequently see those who
are necessarily exposed, with the head muffied
and even with the mouth covered as pr6tec-
ton from the burning air. But the degree of
heat the people Of India can endure is marvel
GUS. During the month of April, when the heat
was very great, natives were employed In repair
ing the matched roof OF our bungalow.
Through the long burning day, except short
rest at midday, they were engaged in this work.
sitting upon the roof, and quite unprotected
from the heat;but from morning until night they
chatted and laughed in great good humor;with no
appearance of suffering; on the principle, Isup-
pose, that degree of heat which would be tor
ture to an Icelander, would not be unpleasant to
an inhabitant of the temperate zone.
Gen. Phil. Cook, Of Georgia, contradicts the
story that he Is candidate for clerk of the ma