The manufactures, both in metal and fibre, have
always been remarkably fine, and the quality is still kept up. Cotton
factories have been established, with native labor, which promise great
results to the industry of the country.
"The loss of life on account of famine, caused by the failure of the
monsoon rains, has been terrific in some years. Canals and reservoirs for
irrigation as well as navigation have been built in order to remove this
evil. In 1874 L16,000,000 was expended in the relief of sufferers by the
government. Since that time a famine fund has been established; and in
years of plenty a million and a half sterling has been set aside for this
object.
"The excessive density of the population has induced the government to
favor emigration; and over a hundred thousand have gone to British
Guiana and the West Indies, and other countries. The currency of India
will be likely to bother you a little. The silver _rupee_ is the unit;
though when you see 'R.x.' over or at the left of a column of figures,
it means tens of _rupees_. The nominal value of a _rupee_ is two
shillings, about half a dollar of your money; but it is never worth that
in gold, the standard of England in recent years. It was some years ago
at a premium of twopence, but for the last three years it has averaged
only 1_s_. 5-1/8_d_. Its value varies with the gold price of silver in
London.
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