. They consisted first of all of breathing exercises; then
bringing the mind to a state of calmness, by repeating mentally, looking
to the East, 'May all beings be happy. May all beings be peaceful. May
all beings be blissful.' Then looking to the South, repeat the same;
then looking to the West, repeat the same, and looking to the North,
repeat the same. After which some of them say mentally: 'Help me to
meditate upon the glory of Him who projected this universe. May He
enlighten my mind.' Then they pray in silence for light and knowledge;
also they repeat in silence: 'May I this day live without discontent,
without self-seeking, and without anxiety.' Then follow concentration
and meditation.

"After the devotional exercises we had breakfast. I cannot help
remarking that the mind is in a better condition spiritually for
performing and enjoying sacred devotions before breakfast than it is
after it. To have family prayers after breakfast, as many do in the
Western world, hinders the freedom and adaptation that the Orientals
have in their devotion. In the Western world many are present out of
respect or rule, having no sympathy with the devotions, sending out
antagonistic aura which neutralizes the effect of worship, and makes it
cold, formal, flat, dead, and dull, for there is not the right
concentrated spiritual thought in the room, which is very essential for
profitable spiritual exercises.

"On leaving the devotional room for breakfast, I could not help thinking
what a fine preparation for the day! With such a commencement as that,
no wonder the day's work is done well, without friction and in perfect
harmony.

"The people in Semhee being of a social nature and free from all
conventionalities of modern society, it was not long before I made the
acquaintance of many very interesting families.

"I received an invitation to make my home with one of them during my
stay in the city of Semhee, which I was glad to accept. I found the life
in the home to be very much like that in the hotel, so far as bathing,
devotions, and meals were concerned. One evening a young lady called at
the house to see a young man who is a son of my host. The young lady
stayed about two hours, making herself very agreeable to the young man,
and upon taking her leave she invited him to accompany her the next
evening to a concert. He accepted. The next evening she came and called
for him, took him to the concert and saw him home. It seemed she ha