Page:Burke, W.S. - Cycling in Bengal (1898).djvu/30

 hour and allowed for short stoppages and breakfast at Chandernagore, we shall be here by about 1 P. M. If we have not hurried ourselves, but pottered along very easily, we shall arrive, perhaps, an hour later. There is now but fifteen miles between us and dinner; we can afford to spend a couple of hours under the trees.

From this point into Burdwan the roads are always perfect, and at the outside a couple of hours should see us at our destination. We make for the dâk bungalow, take delivery of our bedding and Gladstone bag from the station, and either dine at Kellner's refreshment room or at the dâk bungalow—the former undoubtedly, and if we are well advised we have ordered dinner by letter the day before. There is a good deal of interest to see in Burdwan, which is first mentioned in Mahomedan histories in 1574. It is the principal town and civil station of the district, and is one mile from the railway station. It contains the palace and fine gardens of the Maharaja, the "Sivalaya," a collection of 108 temples arranged in two circles, and the shrine of Pirbaharam. Culna, the port and principal seat of trade in the district, is on the Baghirathi, and has the ruins of a large Mahomedan fort. The principal manufacture of the district is the weaving of saris and dhotis; there are also a considerable number of workers in gold, silver and brass. We can see these things if we have time, or return to Calcutta by rail the same night if we are hurried. If not, we can take it leisurely next day by the early passenger train, or ride back on our machines.