irst and best of mankind,
shall obtain their desires in this world as well as in the next. They who
recite this prayer, founded on the Vedas (or first uttered by the sages),
and the old and divine account of (Rama) shall never suffer defeat."

Page 503. The Meeting.

The _Bharat-Milap_ or meeting with Bharat, is the closing scene of the
dramatic representation of Rama's great victory and triumphant return
which takes place annually in October in many of the cities of Northern
India. The Ram-Lala or Play of Rama, as the great drama is called, is
performed in the open air and lasts with one day's break through fifteen
successive days. At Benares there are three nearly simultaneous
performances, one provided by H. H. the Maharajah of Benares near his
palace at Ramnaggur, one by H. H. the Maharajah of Vizianagram near the
Missionary settlement at Sigra and at other places in the city, and one by
the leading gentry of the city at Chowka Ghat near the College. The scene
especially on the great day when the brothers meet is most interesting:
the procession of elephants with their gorgeous howdahs of silver and gold
and their magnificently dressed riders with priceless jewels sparkling in
their turbans, the enthusiasm of the thousands of spectators who fill the
streets and squares, the balconies and the housetops, the flowers that are
rained down upon the advancing car, the wild music, the shouting and the
joy, make an impression that is not easily forgotten.

_Still on his head, well trained in lore_
_Of duty, Rama's shoes he bore._

Rama's shoes are here regarded as the emblems of royalty or possession. We
may compare the Hebrew "Over Edom will I cast forth my shoe." A curiously
similar passage occurs in LYSCHANDER'S _Chronicon Greenlandiae Rhythmicon_:

"Han sendte til Irland sin skiden skoe,
Og boed den Konge. Som der monne boe,
Han skulde dem haederlig baere
Pan Juuledag i sin kongelig Pragt,
Og kjende han havde sit Rige og Magt
Af Norges og Quernes Herre."

He sent to Ireland his dirty shoes,
And commanded the king who lived there
To wear them with honour
On Christmas Day in his royal state,
And to own that he had his kingdom and power
From the Lord of Norway and the Isles.
_Notes & Queries, March 30, 1872._

Final Notes.

I end these notes with an extract which I translate from Signor Gorresio's
Preface to the tenth volume of his Ramayan, and I take this opportunity of
again thankfully ackno