r mud cabins are not suitable covering for human beings,
and are distanced in neatness by the colossal ant-hills of wooded
districts. Such a degraded state of humanity can hardly be found
elsewhere among semi-civilized races. The women seemed to be worn down
by hardships, and were pitiable to look upon; but the men were of dark
hue, straight in figure, always thin in flesh, and remarkably like our
American Indians. Nudity is the rule among them, clothing the exception.
It seems like a strange assertion, but it is a fact, two thirds of the
human family go naked in the nineteenth century.

Madras is situated on the open Bay of Bengal, without even the pretense
of a harbor, though a grand stone breakwater, like that at Ceylon, is in
course of construction. It is after the plan which was adopted by De
Lesseps at Port Said, forming the Mediterranean entrance of the Suez
Canal. The material which is being employed for the purpose is also the
same, and is composed of a conglomerate of small stones and cement in
the form of large cubes. The Prince of Wales, when on his visit to India
some five or six years since, laid the foundation stone of this
structure, but though it is so much needed it seemed to us to grow very
slowly. No more unprotected spot could be found on the surf-beaten shore
of the Coromandel coast, so completely is it exposed to the fury of the
northeast monsoons. It is singular that it was ever selected for a
commercial port, being inaccessible to sailing vessels from October to
January, and yet it was the first capital of the British possessions in
India. Such a surf is nearly always to be found on the shore that
nothing but the peculiar boats of the natives can pass it, and in foul
weather it is in vain for even them to attempt it. Nevertheless along
this inhospitable shore, for a distance of several miles, there extends
a thriving, finely laid out city, with a population of nearly half a
million.

Madras is spread out over a very large territory, with broad open fields
and squares, some designed for drill grounds, some for games of ball,
some purely as ornamental, with choice trees and shrubs. An abundant and
handsome growth of trees all about the city, lining the thoroughfares
and beautifying the open squares, testifies to the judicious attention
given by the authorities to this species of ornamental and grateful
shade, necessary in so warm a climate. We remember especially a fine and
quite remarkable avenu