Page:Life in India or Madras, the Neilgherries, and Calcutta.djvu/95

Rh erection; for the simple countrymen from the interior may often be seen stopping to lift their hands in reverential worship before the noble statue, certainly more godlike than their gods; while the crows, imagining that the gallant general and great governor has been placed there for their accommodation, use his head as a look-out station, and build their nests in his ample lap.

Leaving Sir Thomas, and crossing a bridge over the Coom, a small river passing through the city, we have a fine view of the sea across the open green; and reaching the Chintadrepettah bridge, have the government-house upon our left. This is one of the dwellings provided for the governor of Madras. It is a large, half-oriental, half-European palace, with verandahs and Venetian blinds protecting each story from the glaring sun of India, and is surrounded by a spacious park, with sentries at the gates, and herds of antelopes grazing under the trees.

After passing the government-house, the sides of the road are occupied for a short distance by the shops of jewellers, milliners, confectioners, and tradesmen, often extensive and standing in large compounds; they are kept