On this shore road were the principal public buildings of the city, and
near the end of it was St. Thomas's Cathedral. This is said to be the site
where the apostle of this name, "Doubting Thomas," was martyred. Early
tradition buried him in Edessa, in Mesopotamia, but a later account sent
him to India; but this is something for learned doctors to discuss. At St.
George's Cathedral the party entered to see the statue, made by Chantrey,
of Bishop Heber, who looks gently and tenderly upon a native convert at his
feet.
They rode all over the town, and found several ponds, called tanks; and the
great fort is washed on one side by the river. The second day the party
were driven into the suburbs. At a rocky point on the river they found a
party of half-naked men washing sheets and pillow-cases. The ladies were
interested, and the carriages stopped to enable them to see the operation.
They had something like washboards, laid on the bank of the stream, which
they were hammering with all their might with the sheets, standing in the
shallow water as they did so. Mrs. Blossom declared they must tear them all
to pieces, and she was quite indignant at the way it was done.
Another day finished Madras; and, though there was little to see, compared
with the places they had visited before, Mrs. Belgrave declared they had
had a good time.
Pages:
343
344
345
346
347
348
349
350
351
352
353
354
355
356
357
358
359
360
361
362
363
364
365
366
367