Page:Life in India or Madras, the Neilgherries, and Calcutta.djvu/179

Rh us so much, but that they should submit so readily to the intrusion of Christians into their strongholds.

Leaving this pettah, (district,) we turned our steps toward Vanara-pettah, or Washerman-town, probably so named from having been first settled by that caste. Now, it is a large, populous, and intensely heathen district. In one portion of it the old trade is still briskly plied. A number of wells have been dug, and these are all day long surrounded by groups of washermen hard at work. Dipping the various garments in their waterpots, they swing them above their heads, and bring them down on the washing-stones with a force and rapidity that keeps up a perpetual succession of reports, rivalling a discharge of musketry. Threading the streets, we passed long trains of foot-passengers, engaged in the various callings of life—some busy, some lazy, some noisy, some quiet; but alas! all heathen, all going in one way, all living without God and without Christ. It is a sight to call forth compassion, to make the heart bleed. The harvest truly is plenteous, and the labourers are few! But while you pity the mass, you cannot but feel a measure of indignation at the disgusting tyranny and