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BENARES.
DEPARTURE FROM CALCUTTA--ENTRANCE INTO THE GANGES--RAJMAHAL--GUR-- JUNGHERA--MONGHYR--PATNA--DEINAPOOR--GESIPOOR--BENARES--RELIGION OF THE HINDOOS--DESCRIPTION OF THE TOWN--PALACES AND TEMPLES--THE HOLY PLACES--THE HOLY APES--THE RUINS OF SARANTH--AN INDIGO PLANTATION--A VISIT TO THE RAJAH OF BENARES--MARTYRS AND FAKIRS--THE INDIAN PEASANT--THE MISSIONARY ESTABLISHMENT.
On the 10th of December, after a stay of more than five weeks, I left Calcutta for Benares.

The journey may be performed either by land, or else by water, on the Ganges.

By land, the distance is 470 miles; by water, 800 miles during the rainy season, and 465 miles more during the dry months, as the boats are compelled to take very circuitous routes to pass from the Hoogly, through the Sonderbunds, into the Ganges.
The land journey is performed in post-palanquins, carried by men, who, like horses, are changed every four or six miles.

The traveller proceeds by night as well as day, and at each station finds people ready to receive him, as a circular from the post- office is always sent a day or two before, to prepare them for his arrival.