New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1886-07-04
AN ENTERTAINING COOK.
EDWIN ARNOLD'S BRIGHT GLIMPSES OF
INDIA.

INDIA.
INDIA REVISITED. By EDWIN ARNOLD. l6mo. PIP
1914 Roberts Brothers.
The author of The Light of Asia" gives In this
lively volume his impressions of a recent WISH 10
some Of the principal cities OF INDIA, after ah
absence of twenty wears from those localities WIN
which he was once familiar throu gh long residence
Consisting in Its original form of popular letters
the book does not attempt 10 review the socI"
or political condition of the Indian Empire 10 as
cuss any of the problems connected with the British
rule, or even TO inquire into the progress OF the
population during the past quarter OF
century. Those who may lie disappointed, now
ever, at finding the substance OF the authors OBJ
servations rather light will discover pleasant COM
peusatIons in the animated narrative and the
vivid and brilliant descriptions, Mr.. Arnold IS
one of the most agreeable Of guides. lie has an
intimate knowledge of the country, and yet nav
ing been from 1t for so many years, ne sees IL
DOW with fresh delight; Its wonders are lot hack
neyed; Its splendors stir no less enthusiasm IN MS
bosom than in the strangers He knows what Il
best worth SEEING and has proies-
sionally trained judgment in what
will interest the majority OF reading people.
He has a strong sympathy with the native races
and comprehension of their best points. lie num-
bers many personal friends among educated Indian
and during this visit he received from both classes
exceptional facilities for enjoyment and observa-
ton Perhaps his tour had something of the air OF
a prolonged picnic, and after such an experience
IF hospitality it is not unnatural that he should
look upon the world as entirely beautiful, aud man
kind as contentcd and prosperous.
He says very little about the religious
condition of India. even about BUDDHISM
which one would think must have demanded
great deal Of his attention. In Ceylon he was re-
ceIved with high honor BY the Buddhist priests.
formal addresses being presented TO him. testtvIng
10 the gratitude with which the followers Of BnGd-
ha had marked his exposition OF their sacred re-
lgion 10 the Western nations. lie had much deep
discourse with them upon religion and philosophy,
but If is not reported Once he tried learned
chief priest with little casuistry Resolve this
problem for me. very reverend sir" so runs Mr..
Arnolds question. There is a Buddhist sit
ting under cocoanut tree. He is deeply
modltating. and will soon attain SGnaG- san 'adh.
the highest holiness and wisdom, if his mind be
TRANQUIL There comes by poor man. perlshlng
OF hunger, too weak to climb the tree and pluck a
cocoanut. What shall the good Buddhist do
Shall he forego his study. break off his nearly COM
peted progress 20 enghte nmcnt, IN order To cllmb
the tree and give his brother food, or shall he let
hm die OF hunger and prosecute his sacred media
tionsY' The chief priest lightly laughed, and re-
piled with the utmost promptness: 80 Poet! You
have not rightly imagined this If. ln-
deed your Buddhist were so far adj
vanced toward SGmmG- >Gmtaidh he cou'd
be 10 more conscious of earthly things nor
able to be begu'ed b. tn m TO good or evil, than
affected here in our opinions by the cawing
of wonder crows" This seems to not very
adrot evasion of not very wise question. Mr..
Arnold was at the trouble of making inquiries
about the alleged mahdtnas, OF sages far advanced
in esoteric knowledge. who are SAID to haunt the
recesses Of the Hlmalayas when they are not per-
forming wonders for Colonel Olcott and Mr.
Isaacs but the Buddhist authorities assured him
that there were such persons.
Mr. Arnold mentions several instances of the
abandonment in Hlndoo families of the old time
restrictions upon social intercourse between the
sexes. and the adoption of European customs but
there is nothing to show how far this reform IL
spreading 1t is an odd illustration of his strong
liking for tho native population thar in speaking of
the abolition of Woodworking he seems to be
much more impressed by the heroic devotion Of the
victims than by the horror Of the sacrifice. Not OF
course that he is lacking III the proper exccra-
ton of suffice; but he is sensitive to
the poetIcal aspect of the rite that
he likes TO have all look at
il on its best side, and his description almost makes
il attractive After all. says Mr.. Arnold. it was
not very common not more than eight nlne
hundred cases ~ occurred IN the Deccan in any one
year An interesting account of the snake-charm-
ers corrects popular deusion that the performing
reptiles used by jugelers are disarmed by the re-
moval of their poison-tangs They on the
trary as deadly as any found in the jungle. When
tame they are quite friendly unless sud-
denly frightened rritatcd. 1.-THE fact
ls." says Mr.. Arnold, "sDakes are not
understood aud especially cobras- They
are extremely intelligent, slow to anger, conscious
of their terrible venom, and loath 10 employ IT.
The striking teeth In the cobra are always half
erect, and not more than quarter of an inch long ;
they are gTOoyed. and ii is the gum which presses
the poison into them, not the special gland; whIcl
however exists of course bat hicn these seipen!s
are very backward in dischargIng. They easily
dinarIly sensible 10 kindness. and when not
frightened are among the most gentle aud at
tacned of creatures" They are fond OF music
and IL Is fable thai they will come
forth to the SQUAD OF tae fiuie or beaded goUTd.
MT. Aruolds br ght cheerful, sensible and enter
tanning book leaves an aGreeaoIe Impression, both
of inc country and people 10 which IL Is devoted
ana OF the author himself Ii includes number
of illustrations. mostly process pictures repro
duced from photographs. All are Uad and most Of
them are dIsfiguTements. Under the tyranny of
some Of these cheap mechanical methods certain
lines Of book ILLUSTRATION are leading Oack INTO
b.rbaflsm almost tast the art or wood en-
craving rs advancing A hundred years ago such
nIdeOus burs az these in " lndIa nevisIied wonld
have been ludIerOusiy archaic. What ought we TO
say OF Them now