St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1884-01-26
Summer i'm India.

Only those who have experienced the
heat of a summer on the plains of India
can have any concept on of the fiery or
deal through which the jewellers here
are called 10 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 sea-
son, | saw noted therein the death of a
European lady i'm 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 a servant took in
her early breakfast she was found living
upon the floor near the door, quite dead,
avictim of heat apoplexy.
We rise early during the hot season
in India, for the morning gives to us
the only refreshment viii the day fur
nishes; and even at that time we often
pant for a cool breath. The early morn
ing is the time for action. The mis-
s:onary with his helpers goes forth to
bazaar or village to tell to all who will
listen the wondrous story of Savior S
love: the pastor visits the members of
his flock, the physician his patients in
home or hospital; the Government of
tic al repairs to his office to do duty
there; 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 infre-
quently more intent upon their own
pleasure than upon their appropriate
duties, chatting with chance acquaint-
ances, and shielding themselves from
the sun. while their helpless charges sit
in their little carriages, unprotected
from the dazzling light and heat.
BY nine or ten O'Clock the "white
foreigner" are seen Fastening home,
and through the remaining 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 q
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 sermons; the man of
business can devote himself to his ledg-
ers, and the invalid can secure quiet
hours for rest.
Since the introduction of railways into
India. large proportion of the Gov
eminent officials. as well as many 9TH
ers who can afford the indulgence, have
a residence for the summer months in
some Himalayan retreat. These noun
tain resorts which the railways have
made easily accessible, are great bless
ing to the invalid; and in these delight
full spots, where the air is fresh and
bracing. the pale-facei children of the
plains grow plump and rosy.
Through April and May the heat con-
tinues to increase, and reaches its maxi
mum in June or July, when the rainy |
season opens. During these sultry |
months the sun burns IFS way through /
the heavens day after day. The skys
are brass and the earth stone, with
fiery atmosphere between.
Several years ago, while taking rail-
way journey in the month of May, we
suffered greatly from the heat, though
we had made use of such means as were
1t our command for our relief. We left