The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1885-09-17
The CITY OF The SUN.
Destroyed by the Great Earthquake In
Cashmere.

Destroyed by the Great Earthquake In
Cashmere.
Serinagar, or literally Surgia Nagar,
The City of the Sun, is the capital of the
beautiful and romantic valley of CASH
mere, one of the most charming spots
in the whole earth. 1t is some seven
years ago that in my wanderings l
visited this happy valley. A lonely
march of about 100 miles along the
banks of the Jhelum River, the ancient
Hydaspes, brought me to the smooth
waters of the Cashmere Lake. Here |
hired boat covered with mating, and
SO arranged that the stern of the boat
formed a cooking kitchen. both for the
crew and passenger. My crew con-
sisted of full-grown man, an under
grown boy, an old woman, two small
children and a young mother and a
plump baby. The whole party, except
the plump baby, took their turn at the
oars and towing rope, and managed
to get along at the rate of two miles an
hour.
1t was clear morning and beautiful
beyond description was the panoramic
view as we wound along the river in its
circular course. All around the country
was rich with yerdure. Rising at dis
tance were the snowy ranges of the
HimalaYa Mountains, many of them as
much as $4,000 feet above the sea level.
To quote the words of the traveller,
Vigne: ''Softness mantling over the
sublime, snugness generally elsewhere
incompatible with extent, are the pre-
valing characteristics of the scenery of
Cashmere. In the center of this love-
ly scenery is the City of the Sun, which
was recently destroyed by an earth
quake.
Serinagar is considerable city of
some 10000 inhabitants, of whom 20,-
600 are Hindus and the remainder Mo-
hammedans. The houses are built
entirely of wood, and are usually three
stories high, The streets are narrow
and dirty. The people were dirtier
than the streets. No pen could possibly
depict the real sanitary condition Of
Serinagar, and consequently one regrets
that, as the city had to perish, it did not
suecumb to the purifying element of fire
rather than the upheavings of an earth
quake.
The city of Serinagar is on an island
in the midst of the Cashmere Lake. 1t
has seven bridges, all made of wooden
logs. Some of the bridges are occupied
with shops, like old London bridge,
which are extremely quaint. although
unsightly structures. There are no cabs
or carts or carriages in the city of Seri-
magyar, aud therefore no conveyanees
rumble along its narrow, dirty streets.
1t is wise dispensation of Providence
that wheeled conveyances have not been
introduced in the capital of Cashmere
for the people would be too lazy to get
out of the way. The Cashmeree never
walks or works if he can help it. In re-
cent famines they preferred dying to
either. And yet they are skilled work
men. The manufactures of Cashmere
are well known. Cashmere shawls have
a worldwide reputation, although the
trade is not as prosperous as it used to be,
A Cashmere shawl has been sold in
Paris and London for $4,000. and even
more. The silver and gold work in
bracelets and necklaces is perhaps un-
equaled in the world, for it has pc.
culiar unfinished style of its own which
can not be initiated. The copper work
is very antique in its appearance. The
painted and inlaid woodwork, errone,
ously called by Europeans paper-mache,
is exceedingly beautiful. 1t is an inter
esting fact that the well-known Cash
mere shawl patterns. which finds ex-
preston in all articles of Cashmere
manufacture. has its origin in the pc
culiar windings of the river Jhelum
along the valley.
The women of Cashmere are re.
nowned for their beauty. They are ex.
ceedingly fair for Orientals. In former
years they were seized and sold as slave:
for the seraglios of Eastern monarchs.
And even in modern days the Cashmere
beauty has found place in the affec-
tons of lndia's European rulers and
warriors. Physically the men are a
very tine race. and the calves of the
Cashmere coolie would give effect tc
the very best arrangement in knicker-
bockers. The chronological develop.
ment OF both sexes is good. But still
the Cashmere is a hopeless individual.
At first when you look at him you be-
lieve in him. His fine development ol
head, chest and calf, win your respect.
but from the day that one of their mum
Der ate five of my loaves of bread, and
another purloined a bottle of preserved
currants. and another appropriated 3
leathern strap, | lost confidence in the
race. After very careful inquiry came
to the conclusion that the Cashmere
comes very low down in the scale Of
humanity. He won't work if he car
help it, and to beg he is never ashamed
Such is the race that inhabits one of the
fairest and most productive provinces
on earth.-Cor. N. Y. San.
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