ve.

6. In our country we are never sure of the weather. It changes so often
that we talk about it a great deal. In India nobody talks about the
weather. During seven months of the year every day is fine.

7. In our country we almost always have plenty of water for our crops,
and for drinking and washing. Plenty of fresh water is a great blessing
to a land. In many parts of India water is very scarce.

8. I told you that the great river Ganges is not far away from little
Hugh's home. This grand river begins in the mountains of North India. I
wish you could see these mountains. They are the highest on earth. They
rise up from the plains like a huge wall, and their tops are always
covered with fields of ice and snow.

9. These ice-fields slowly move down the mountain sides. Then they melt,
and this gives rise to the Ganges and to the other great rivers of North
India.

10. Millions of the Indian people love the Ganges, and they have good
reason to do so. It gives water and food to more than twice as many
people as dwell in the British Islands.

11. Many Indians think that every drop of water in the river is holy.
They believe that if they bathe in its waters their souls will be washed
clean from sin.

[Illustration: {Town on the Ganges}]

12. There is a town by the side of the Ganges which the Indians say is
the holiest place on earth. It is full of temples. Millions of Indians
visit these temples every year.

13. All along the river bank there are stone steps leading down to the
water. Standing in the stream are men and women and children who have
come from all parts of India. They wash themselves in the stream, and
pour the holy water over their heads as they pray.

14. People who are very ill are carried to this place, that they may die
by the side of "Mother Ganges." They die happy if they can see her or
hear the sound of her waters during their last moments.

15. When they die their bodies are taken to the steps. There they are
washed in the river water, and are placed on piles of wood. Friends set
fire to the wood, and soon the bodies are burnt to ashes. These ashes
are thrown into the stream, which bears them to the distant ocean.

* * * * *

14. INDIAN BOYS AND GIRLS.

1. I am very fond of going about the streets with your uncle. The Indian
children always amuse me.

2. When Indians grow up they are rather grave and sad. The children,
however, are always bright a