INDIAN NOTES AND ANECDOTES. buried in his, hands, listening to the old man's account of Cyril's death, and to his description of the funeral. Suddenly he interrupted him by asking, “Are there any visitors up at the house?" "Yes, sir, there's Miss Lucy and her husband staying." 429 "Married! Lucy married! I can scarcely realise it. What is her married name?" Mrs. Ainsworth, sir.” "What! has she married Frank Ainsworth?" "Yes, sir." "I am glad to hear it, for I am sure he will make her happy." After a slight pause he added, "Now Harold rose from his seat and said with evident go and lock the gates; when you come back I have surprise, "Miss Lucy and what?" something for you to do." "And her husband, sir." (To be concluded.) INDIAN NOTES AND ANECDOTES. VI. THE ASSAMBU HILLS AND COFFEE PLANTATIONS. of coffee, tea, and European fruits and vegetables, and by one of the missionaries, who erected a small bungalow as a temporary retreat and sanitarium for enfeebled members of the mission needing a change of air. A native Christian from Nagercoil, who had been overseer in a coffee-plantation in Ceylon (the scenery, climate, and products of which bear a marked resemblance to those of the Malabar coast) was, I believe, the next to break fresh ground somewhat farther into the interior of the mountains. During the last ten years the number steadily and rapidly extending. Experienced planters from Ceylon and other parts of India have formed plantations, so that now there are in the Travancore mountains altogether over fifty estates owned by Europeans, and containing 15,000 acres, besides those in the hands of natives. In 1869, £25,200 worth of produce was exported. Roads for general traffic and the expeditious transport of produce are being opened, and other facilities afforded by the native Government. There are still hundreds of square miles suitable for coffee-planting available for immediate use. An enterprising and energetic young man, how-of estates and the area under cultivation have been ever, possessed of a capital of say a couple of thousand pounds, willing to work hard and "rough it" for a few years, might, if he make a judicious selection of land for coffee planting on the mountains of Travancore, make a most profitable investment, and secure a valuable estate in perpetuity. Several European planters have already succeeded well, and the speculation is one likely in any case to make a fair return. It is only reasonable to anticipate some advantage in going direct to the place whence many coolies annually emigrate to Ceylon, the Mauritius, and the West Indies. In Travancore labourers' wages are low, averaging 4d. or 5d. a day, but in the hills up to 8d. or 9d. is paid. The increased demand for labour, both in the hills and in the low country, is now, however, raising prices generally throughout the province. A glance at the map of India will show that the great chain of the Western Ghauts terminates within a few miles of Cape Comorin. The last of the lofty summits in this chain is Máhindragiri, fully 5,000 feet in height; and adjacent to this peak lies the Assambu mountain, about 1,000 or 1,500 feet lower. Some twenty or thirty years ago these moun tains, with their fertile tracts of virgin forest and table-land, were unexplored and unknown to European enterprise. They were first opened up and their capabilities investigated by General Cullen, British resident at the Court of Travancore, who commenced a garden for the experimental growth At the outset, to encourage the enterprise, free grants of land were made to planters by the Government. Now application must be made for a specified lot, consisting of not more than 500 acres, which is then put up to auction at an upset price of one rupee, or two shillings, per acre, and sold to the highest bidder, to be held in perpetuity as transferable or heritable property. There is an annual assessment of three-quarters of a rupee per acre, but this is abated for the first five years, on condition that one-fourth of the land be cleared and planted within three years of the purchase. For the planter's residence, a small dwelling-house in a convenient and central site in the estate is indispensable. This is usually built, in the first instance, of slight and temporary materials, as the cost of carriage of lime and other substantial building materials up the Ghauts and through the forest tracks is very considerable. The trees are then cut down and burnt when dry. I have seen the timber on both sides of a wide valley, covering as far as the Mission Sanitarium is about three probably several square miles, blazing, crackling, miles farther. From Nagercoil to Káttuputhúr, and smoking day and night, till the whole was at the base of the hills, the road passes through a consumed, and a wonderful sight it was. broad and fertile rice-valley, lying between two of the secondary ridges or spurs from the great chain of the Ghauts. The path ascends by the side of a cool and sparkling stream, springing from the higher mountains, and through the richest and most varied tropical scenery and vegetation. Near the base of the hills a pretty acacia abounds, with feathery foliage and white tassel-like flowers. A little farther up we see the noble teak, so valuable in ship-building, and still higher, immense forest and timber trees, such as anjely, ironwood, and blackwood, some of them glowing with a mass of flowers, others covered with luxuriant creepers and parasites. Half-way up are gardens of plan The virgin soil, the result of the decomposition, century after century, of foliage and other vegetable matter, is thus exposed; a mass of woodashes is also left on the ground, and in addition, the unburnt stumps and roots continue to decay slowly, and supply manure to the soil for many successive years. The coffee shrub flourishes best on hill slopes and the declivitous sides of valleys and glens, where it is sheltered from the rough winds, and at the foot of which flow refreshing and fertilising mountain streams. In order to shade the water, and prevent its too sudden evaporation, which might tend ultimately to diminish the supply of rain to the country, the wood on the im-tains, with their broad green leaves and bunches mediate banks of these streams is left intact. Having prepared the seedlings in nursery beds, they are planted out, when about a year old and a foot in height, in shallow pits, six or seven feet apart. The plants are kept neatly pruned and to the uniform height of five feet, and the beautiful berries grow thickly, clustering along the lateral branches. After five years the shrubs come into full bearing, and last for some ten or fifteen years, the crops ripening annually about December. The scenery of these hills is magnificent, the climate salubrious, and the comforts of European society, once altogether lacking, are more and more enjoyed, as communication with the plains becomes more easy, and the isolation of the coffee plantations proportionately decreases. A ride of ten miles from Nagercoil brings the traveller to the base of the Assambu. The ascent of luscious fruit, so tempting to the eye and palate as to furnish some excuse for the fancy that this was the apple that enticed and overcame our first mother. Then there are graceful palms of various kinds, though not so common as in the low country, with the light elastic bamboo, tall reeds, and high grass, some species of which emit a most delightful fragrance. The highest summits are generally craggy and bare, but up to the very top valuable orchids, which would delight the eyes of an English gardener, cling to the rugged stems of trees or to the surface of rocks, or spring out of the soil, while beautiful ferns expand their delicate fronds in moist and shady nooks. Near the summit of the hills the Indian resident who has been long absent from home will be deeply touched to find a little pale violet, tenderly reminding him of his native land, and of happy days long gone by. CHAPTER I. PATTIE. A STORY FOR LITTLE CHILDREN. ROUND-FACED, bright-eyed child, with brown hair clustering in tiny curls all over her head; clad in a black dress, which, with the white pinafore, looked as though before long it would be outgrown, and with a broad piece of black ribbon tied round her old sun hat. That was little Pattie Scot, as she sat one warm summer evening in her favourite place under the great chestnut-tree, which grew down one end of her uncle's garden; and I think if you had known it, you would have agreed with her that it was a pleasant seat, for Pattie could see right on to the velvety lawn, with its beds of carefully-tended, many-hued flowers; and a little beyond that stood her uncle's house, the front of which was almost entirely covered with flowering creepers, from out of which peeped the old-fashioned, curiously-shaped windows. Then she had only to half turn round, and she could see right away across ever so many meadows and fields; and then, if she raised her eyes a little, there was the eastern sky, dyed by the setting sun in wondrous colour of gold and crimson and purple. One could tell by the satisfied expression of her face that Pattie was feeling very contented to-night, and that she had forgotten for the time that the days often seemed to pass slowly and heavily now, and that it was not near so nice being with her rich uncle and aunt as it had been at home. She had forgotten, too, that Cousin Adelaide, who was quite grown up, did not like children; that her aunt "THE QUIVER " BIBLE CLASS. was mostly too occupied paying visits or receiving company, to take any thought or trouble about her; and that her uncle himself was always so busy that he did not even seem to remember that there was such a little girl as Pattie, who for her part would have been frightened at the bare idea of speaking to him. The beautiful evening had filled her heart with its brightness, as, hugging hor doll in her arms, she amused herself sometimes by singing to it, and sometimes by vague conjectures whether the heaven where her sister Nina had just gone was anywhere behind those bright clouds in the east; and whether, if some fairy were to give her wings, and she were to go flying up, up, until she got there, would Nina let her come down again. "'Cause I should want to-of course I should. It would be sad if papa were to find me gone too, when he comes to take me home, like he will when mamma is well again. I should think mamma will soon be well again now, shouldn't you, dolly ?" and Pattie looked with loving eyes at the doll she was all the more fond of because it was getting into years, and had lost an eye and an arm in her service. Presently there was a sound of some one whistling, and a minute after a boy about twelve, wearing a trencher hat, came across the lawn, with a great air of having something to do. That was Cousin Phil, the one of all her new relations whom Pattie liked best; for though he would sometimes tease and vex her sadly, yet he would bring her almond-nuts and toffy home from school, and would talk to her too, though I am afraid in rather a patronising way. This evening he did not seem to be in a very amiable temper. Pattie watching him furtively could tell he was not in one of his good humours; but just as she was hoping he would not come to her, Phil caught sight of his little cousin. 'Holloa, little Pinafore! what are you up to all alone ?" he cried. "What have you got hid up in your lap? Why, if it isn't Miss Doll;" and before Pattie knew what he was doing, Phil had snatched it away. "What a beautiful dolly she is, to be sure," he continued in a mocking voice, heedless of the look of dismay which had come across Pattie's face like a dark cloud, and quite forgetting how cowardly it was to tease a child so much younger than himself. "But, Pattie, don't you think she would look better if her hair were cut short like a boy? I will cut it for you now-shall I?" "Please don't, Phil; please do give her back to me," urged poor little Pattie, with agonised voice and clasped hands, and with a great tear ready to roll down her cheek. "Couldn't anyhow yet," answered Phil, holding the doll high above her reach with one hand, and taking his knife out of his pocket with the other. "Now, Pattie, you have only to keep quiet, and you will see how nicely I can do it." 431 A little sob heaving up from Pattie's breast was the only response; but Phil, quite regardless of the pain he was inflicting, proceeded to cut, as well as he could, dolly's flowing hair, until at last she presented quite a cropped appearance. Pattie could stand it no longer. A great storm of anger swept into her heart, and with a cry of rage she threw herself upon her cousin, and managed somehow to get her treasure away. Then she ran across the lawn, into the house, up to her own bedroom; where Anne, the maid who had especial charge over her, found her some time later lying flat upon the floor, sobbing as though her heart would break, and longing, more than any one can guess, to be at home with her father and mother again. (To be concluded.) "THE QUIVER" BIBLE CLASS. 168. Daniel is twice mentioned in the prophecy of Ezekiel. Quote the passages. 169. Three persons are mentioned as having provided David with sustenance when he fled from his son Absalom. Name them. 170. A prophet referring to the mourning of Hadadrimmon in the valley of Megiddon, speaks of every family mourning apart. He mentions four families. Give the names. 171. Besides Bethel, another idolatrous sanctuary is mentioned in Amos. 172. Name the two prophets who presided over the change of dynasty in the time of Rehoboam. 173. Give the passage in which the Sabbath is first mentioned in the history of the monarchy. ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS ON PAGE 399. 152. Both were without blemish; not a bone was broken. Both were put to death in the same month, on the same day, and at the same hour. 153. Ps. lxxxix. 3, 4; Isa. xi. 1; John vii. 42; Acts xiii. 23. 154. "The gospel which was preached of me is not after man; for I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ" (Gal. i. 11, 12). 155. The parable of the rich man and Lazarus" (Luke xvi. 31). 156. He appealed to the testimony of his Father, to the Scriptures, to John the Baptist, and to his own works. (See John v. 33, 36, 37, 39.) 157. He applies it to the healing of the bodily infirmities of those who were brought to Jesus in the evening of the day on which Peter's wife's mother was cured (Matt. viii. 14—17). 158. John iii. 27–36. 159. The veil of the Temple was rent; the earth did quake; the rocks rent; the graves were opened; many bodies of the saints which slept arose. BIBLE NOTES. THE DEMONIAC IN THE SYNAGOGUE OF CAPERNAUM (Mark i. 23-26; Luke iv. 33-36). time. N the synagogue there was a man which had dwell together. There seems to be an indication of a spirit of an unclean devil, and cried out." | wonder if the judgment-day is coming before its St. Mark and St. Luke alone of the Evangelists relate this miracle, and they place it first among the many which our Saviour wrought and which they record. He had just returned to Capernaum, having escaped from the machinations of those who were hostile to him in Nazareth, and who would have put him to death there. He is in the synagogue on the Sabbath-day for the purpose of teaching. Among the listeners is a man subject to the control of a devil. How people became possessed with devils in those early days we know not; one thing, however, is clear on the point-they were divinely permitted, that Christ's absolute power over evil might be displayed. St. Mark and St. Luke generally apply the term unclean to "devil," because they were writing for Gentiles. This St. Matthew, who wrote for Jews, never does; for the Jews were already well acquainted with the terrible nature of these demoniacal possessions. As soon as this spirit felt itself in the presence of Him to whom all authority is entrusted, he cried aloud, gaining the mastery over the poor human body "Let us alone; what have we to do with thee, thou Jesus of Nazareth? art thou come to destroy us? I know thee who thou art; the Holy One of God." What a clear proof this that "the devils believe and tremble." In this scene we have before us heaven, earth, and hell. A contest is impending, and the Holy One will prove himself the conqueror. Ere the contest between good and evil begins, the unclean spirit feels that the presence of Christ is a torture, and so in agony cries aloud, "Let us alone"-thus acknowledging that there was a power present superior to its own. The demand made by the unclean spirit was twofold. "Let us alone"-" Art thou come to destroy us?" Christ's Godhead was recognised, and an appeal was made to him that he will not now put forth his might to destroy it before its time was come. In making this request Christ is acknowledged as his future judge. The name applied to him is not taken from the Messianic Psalm (xvi. 10). He is not addressed as a Holy One, but as the Holy Onethus distinguishing him from all others. In the language this spirit uses, he confesses his entire sense of impotence and subjection. He feels that Christ's presence is a mark of the termination of his period of possession. He knows that he and Christ cannot "Hold thy peace, and come out of him." Literally "be muzzled." Christ's command is twofold. He would not have those who were spectators of the contest going on believe that he was "the Holy One of God" on a devil's testimony. Having ordered him to observe silence, he next gives the decisive word, "Come out of him." thus breaking the fetters by which the man is bound. St. Mark tells us that when the unclean spirit had torn him and cried with a loud voice, he came out of him. But this is no proof that Christ's command was not obeyed instantly, for the cry that came forth was probably nothing but a groan of pain and rage. There is no contradiction between St. Luke who says that he hurt him not, and St. Mark who says that having torn him, he came out: the meaning is that no permanent injury was done; but we can see from these accounts what the demon would have done, if he could. He was reluctant to lose his terrible grasp, but he was bound to obey Him "who spake as man never spake." The power to do harm, to injure either" body or soul, is perfectly impotent when brought into the immediate presence of Christ. "They were all amazed, and spake among themselves, saying, What a word is this! for with authority and power he commandeth the unclean spirits, and they come out." The effect is similar to that produced upon those who witnessed the calming of the tempest. The teaching in the synagogue which caused the listeners to wonder is followed up by this miracle. They who witnessed it, had probably never seen or heard of such a thing before. They heard the word spoken, and saw the command instantly obeyed. Though this miracle was wrought on the Sabbathday, we read of no one finding fault with this case of Sabbath-breaking. No! the minds of all are too much occupied with astonishment and amazement. We learn from this miracle that Christ's power is all supreme, that when he chooses to exert it on behalf of any one, all obstacles must give way be fore it. From this consideration may we take courage and apply to him to give us power at all times to be able to stand against the wiles of the devil, and to keep us on our guard against him who walketh "about as a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour." I "He should much like her to teach me"-p. 436. TWO STORIES IN ONE. "SHIRLEY HALL ASYLUM," ETC. BY WILLIAM GILBERT, AUTHOR OF "DE PROFUNDIS," WAS born in the month of May, 1815. VOL. VII. |