The Proper Time For This Is During The Months Of December And January; Although, Even In The Month Of February, The Nights, And Especially The Early Hours Of The Morning Before Sun-Rise, Are So Cold, That Small Quantities Of Water Are Covered With A Thin Sheet Of Ice.

For this purpose, either shallow pits are dug in earth rich in saltpetre, {212b} and small shallow dishes of

Burnt porous clay are filled with water, and placed in these pits, or when the soil does not contain any saltpetre, the highest terraces on the houses are covered with straw, and the little dishes of water are placed up there. The thin crusts of ice thus obtained are broken into small pieces, a little water is poured over them, and the whole is put into the ice-houses, which are also lined with straw. This mode of obtaining ice is already practised in Benares.

Mr. Hamilton was so obliging as to make the arrangements for the continuance of my journey. I could have had the royal camels again, but preferred a car with oxen, as the loss of time was inconsiderable, and the trouble far less. Mr. Hamilton himself made the contract with the driver, pointed out the stations at which we should stop between this and Auranjabad (230 miles), gave me an excellent servant and sepoy, furnished me with letters, and even asked me if I had sufficient money. This excellent man did all this with so much amiability, that, in fact, I scarcely knew whether the kindnesses or the way in which they were offered, were most to be admired.

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Words from 116324 to 116594 of 187810