only a fragment of the original one which was thrown down and broken in a struggle between the Hindus and Muhammadans in 1805 The tank below the platform is the Kapilmochan Tank.

LOLARIK KUAN. This remarkable well is just behind the engine house of the pumping station at Bhadaini. The massive stone-work of the well is the work of three persons, Ráni Ahalya Bái, a Rájá of Behar, and Amrit Rao. The well proper is a round shaft, about fifteen feet in diameter and protected by a strong breastwork of masonry of great thickness. The water belcw flows through a lofty archway into a stone reservoir in the shape of a parallelogram, which is reached from above by three massive and steep flights of stone-steps. The whole presents an appearance of great solidity and strength, and the lofty arch connecting the round shaft with the square opening, has such an air of grace and lightness, as serves to place this well among the most interesting sights of its kind in Benares. The motive for the peculiar construction of the well is not apparent, but the connection of the round shaft with the parallelogram below distinctly suggests the form of the linga, the common emblem of Shiva. On the steps of the well is a most absurd figure of Ganesh in which that deity is depicted in an erect attitude. In the walls of the well are several carved stones, evidently of a great age, and probably brought here from some old shrine.

MINARETS, THE, or MOSQUE of AURANGZEB. This Mosque is called by natives of Benares, Mádho Dás ká Dharahrá, or the Minárs of Mádho Dás, that being the name of the Hindú builder who, at the command of the Emperor, erected these beautiful structures. The Mosque to which they are attached is at the top of Panch Ganga Ghat, and forms the most commanding, and certainly the most beautiful feature of the long array edifices which line the river bank. The Mosque itself is Isaid to have been erected from the materials of an im

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mense temple to Vishnu which once stretched along the river bank, and the Minarets were erected to annoy Hindús by making it possible to overlook the interiors of their dwellings. There can be no question of the beauty and extreme gracefulness of these lofty towers. A recent French traveller, M. André Chevrillon, says of them, "They spring straight upwards, with the ardor of a prayer, with the impetuosity of a cry; and one perceives the fervent work of a simple, resolute, monotheistic and ardent race."

Seated in the little cage at the top, the whole of the city lies at one's feet and one seems, like the pigeons which circle beneath, to be poised in mid air. The ascent, though difficult, is by no means dangerous and the view from the summit more than repays the labour. The height from the base of the Mosque to the top of the minarets is 142 feet. The minarets are 8 feet in diameter at the base, 7 at the summit. The Mussulmán attendant is entitled to a small fee.

Descending from the Mosque the visitor will observe a peepul tree, round the base of which is a perfect pantheon of Hindù deities. Here too is an old door-way, opening on to the ghát, from which may be obtained a most picturesque view of the ghất, the river, and the Dufferin Bridge beyond.

From this point the visitor may make his way through winding streets, truly oriental in character, to the Brass Bazaar and thence to the Chauk, a most interesting walk.

MISSIONARY SOCIETIES IN BENARES. Visitors to Benares who are interested in the present relations of Christianity to Hinduism, will hardly fail to pay a visit to one ur other of the Christian missions here represented. Missionaries are always ready to shew their schools &c. to persons interested in their work, and ladies specially may in this way obtain an insight into the domestic life of Indian women which would otherwise be difficult or impossible. Tourists might well devote the

Sunday, so usually spent in "doing" this or that portion of the city, to a sympathetic enquiry into the present state of missions, and to obtaining a view at first hand of the labours of the men and women who here hold up the standard of Christ. English services are held in three churches on the Sunday, and Hindustani services at several others, to all of which visitors are cordially welcomed. A few words on each of the Societies here represented may not be out of place.

Baptist Missionary Society. This was a branch of the Serampur Mission established here in 1819, and this Society had the honour of sending the first English Missionary to Benares. In 1890 the male missionary was withdrawn, but work is still carried on among women and girls in connection with the Baptist Zenána Mission.

Church Missionary Society. This Society has its head quarters at Sigra, where there is a church, a ncrmal school for girls, a girls' orphanage, and Christian village. The mission has charge also of a very large school situated in the Bengali Tcla, called Jay Narayan's College, after the enlightened native gentleman who built and endowed it, and who, acting on the advice of the devoted Corrie, a former chaplain in Benares, handed it over to the Church Mission in 1817. The Society has also a church in the centre of the city which the visitor cannot fail to notice, and in which services are held which are attended at times by large numbers of intelligent Hindùs. Services in Hindustani are held in the Sigra Church morning and afternoon.

London Missionary Society. This Society has its head quarters near the Cantonments Station where the houses of the Missionaries are situated, together with the church and girls' school. The work of the Society is educational and evangelistic, and in connection with it there is a number of girls' school in different parts of the city, and a large amount of Zenána visitation is done. There is a High School connected with the Mis

sion and also a boarding house for christian boys. The Society commenced work in Benares in 1820. An English service is held in the church at 11 A. M. during the cold season, and Hindustani services at 8-30 A. M. and 4

P. M.

Wesleyan Missionary Society. This Society commenced work in Benares in 1880. The Mission has a fine church in a prominent situation near the Post Office, in which services are held in English at 11 A. M. and 6 P. M., and in Hindustani at 8 A. M. The resident Missionary is Chaplain to the Wesleyan soldiers in the garrison, and also superintends the work of several catechists. There is also Zenána and Girls' School work carried on in connection with the Mission.

Zenana Bible and Medical Mission. This Society has two centres of work. One is at Rámkatorá, near the Queen's College, where the ladies reside who have charge of the Girls' School and Zenána work. There is also a very handsome Hospital for women connected with this Society, situated in the Aurangabad road near Sigra. The Hospital was opened in 1890, and there are ccnnected with it several branch dispensaries in the city.

The Missionaries in Benares meet weekly for a united Bible reading, on Thursday evenings at 8 o'clock. It is held in the houses of the Missionaries in rotation, and visitors to the city desirous of Christian communion are heartily welcomed to these meetings.

MONKEY TEMPLE, THE. This is a temple sacred to Durga or Káli, the wife of Mahadeva. The temple has no necessary connection with the monkeys which swarm hereabouts, and it is known popularly by its connection with the kund or tank adjoining. But the monkeys are clearly in possession, and from their homes in the neighbouring tamarinds invade every part of the shrine. They scramble over the roofs, and drop down chattering and screaming, upon the verandah to seize

the parched grain with which they are liberally fed by worshippers. They swarm throughout this entire neighbourhood, and will be found also at the Kurukshetr Tank and the Lolárik Well, both of which are not far away. It is related that a few years ago they existed in such large numbers, and did such damage to the roofs of the buildings hereabout that a certain magistrate, at the request of the inhabitants, caught and transported very many of them beyond the Ganges. The temple and tank are the gift of a pious Bengali lady, the Ráni Bhawani, and are not very old. The temple is situated in a large quadrangle, the main entrance being on the west side. In front and close to the road is a Naubat Khána or band-stand, for the accommodation of musicians on special occasions. Between this and the door is a tall pillar with a figure of a lion, the proper vehicle of Durga, on the top. Near by is a small stone pillar with a little hollow in the summit. This is the altar of the deity, and near it is a cleft post to which the animal to be sacrificed is bound. This is usually a goat. It is tied to the post by the head and an attendant lifts it up by its hind legs and holds it so that its neck is extended. With one swift blow of the heavy knife its head is severed and is immediately placed on the altar. This becomes the perquisite of the priest, while the body is taken away and consumed by the worshipper. It is openly averred that many Hindus who otherwise would never taste flesh, adopt this expedient to get a savoury meal of kid pillao. On each side of the doorway of the temple is a small shrine. Inside the main doorway are two stone lines, one on each hand, with their faces directed towards the Goddess. All round the four sides of the quadrangle is a covered verandah used by pilgrims and devotees. In front of the temple proper is a porch which was erected by a native military officer about thirty years ago. From the centre of this porch hangs a large bell which is said