h expert swimmers.

A peculiar boat is also used between the wharves and the shipping, which
come to anchor some distance off shore, landing passengers or taking
them from the shore to the ship. Even where these boats are used,
partially protected by the half-completed breakwater, no common boat
would answer the purpose, or would stand the strain. The surf runs high
even here, though not so fiercely as on the open beach. The Madras boat
is large and light, constructed of thin planks sewed together with hide
thongs, and caulked with cocoanut fibre. No nails enter into its
construction, nor would answer the purpose, which the yielding thongs
only are fitted for. Each of these boats is propelled by at least eight
rowers, who use an oar shaped like a spoon, being a strong elastic pole
with a flat, rounded end, securely lashed to it by hide thongs. The men
pull regularly until they get into the surf, and then they work like
mad, and the light boat is landed high and dry on the shelving sands.

Along the shore of the business section, the broad street is lined with
lofty commercial warehouses, custom house, hongs and godowns, and we
observed considerable building in progress just at this point. The
submerged breakwater should be brought up to its proper height before
anything else is attempted in or near the bay. Anchorage is very
precarious, large steamers being compelled to keep up steam to ease any
strain which may come upon their land tackle. One large iron vessel lay
a wreck upon the beach, and was sold at auction, to be broken up, while
we were there. She was loaded with coal for the depot of the P. and O.
line.

In driving and strolling about the city we noted many local pictures.
Groups of professional dancing girls are to be seen in all of the cities
of India, generally attached to some temple, as no religious ceremony
or gala day is considered complete without them; and indeed the same may
be said of any large private entertainment, as guests never dance in the
East, preferring to hire such work done for them. These dancers are
accompanied by a musical instrument very much like a guitar, and
sometimes by tambourines and fifes. Many of the girls are delicate and
graceful both in form and manner. Those who adopt the calling consecrate
themselves to it by some religious ceremony, and ever after are
connected with the temples. They preserve decency and propriety in their
public performances, which is curious to witnes