n, but so powerful was the heat of the sun that we could
hardly have sustained it without the protection of umbrellas, and
thought if this was winter weather in India what must midsummer be?
Though so much further north, of the equator than Ceylon, the heat
seemed nearly as great, and even more insupportable. There was a certain
moisture and softness about the high temperature at Colombo, which we
had experienced a month before; while here there was a dry, burning
directness of the sun's power which was absolutely withering. As we
passed over the road, swayed hither and thither upon the backs of the
huge animals, it was amusing to watch the gambols of the wild monkeys in
the trees, and to observe the flocks of wild peacocks in the open
fields, both monkeys and peacocks being held sacred. There were tall
cranes wading on the edges of the ponds, with other queer-legged, odd
water-fowls strutting through the mud. The crocodiles were seen sunning
themselves on the river's bank, watching for an Indian child or dog to
devour. Fancy colored parrots were plenty; and when we got within the
city gates, we met such dense flocks of tame pigeons, of various colors,
as could not be equaled elsewhere. They were of several species,
well-defined: fan-tailed, bloaters, divers, etc., some pure white, some
mottled, and some as blue as the sky. Like those at Venice, they are
protected by law. Indeed all animal life is spared, from religious
convictions, except such as is brought to the altar. We finally got
safely back to our quarters, at the Kaiser-i-Hind Hotel, far too well
pleased with our trip to Ambar to cavil at a most indifferent dinner.

There are many native princes who govern states in India, as is the case
at Jeypore; but they do so under sufferance, as it were, acknowledging
their "subordinate dependence" to the British government. They form a
body of feudatory rulers, possessing revenue and armies of their own.
There is always a British "Resident" at their courts, who acts as an
adviser, as it is termed, but who is, in plain English, a sort of
acknowledged and permitted spy. These princes are not allowed to make
war upon each other, or to form alliances with foreign states; and, upon
the whole, all things considered, it is perhaps the best possible
arrangement for the princes and for their subjects. England does not
hesitate to interfere if a prince is guilty of any decided
mismanagement, protecting the weak, and imposing peace.