DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.67419#0036
14
EARLY NEEDLEWORK.
those of the banian-tree, of which the leaves, says
Sir James Forbes, are large, soft, and of a lively
green; the fruit a small bright scarlet fig. The
Hindoos are peculiarly fond of this tree; they con-
sider its long duration, its outstretching arms, and
overshadowing beneficence, as emblems of the Deity,
and almost pay it divine honours. The Brahmins,
who thus “ find a fane in every sacred grove,”
spend much of their time in religious solitude, under
the shade of the banian-tree; they plant it near
the dewals, or Hindoo temples; and in those vil-
lages where there is no structure for public worship,
they place an image under one of these trees, and
there perform morning and evening sacrifice. The
size of some of these trees is stupendous. Sir James
Forbes mentions one which has three hundred and
fifty large trunks, the smaller ones exceeding three
thousand ; and another, whereunder the chief of the
neighbourhood used to encamp in magnificent style;
having a saloon, dining room, drawing-room, bed-
chambers, bath, kitchen, and every other accommo-
dation, all in separate tents; yet did this noble tree
cover the whole, together with his carriages, horses,
camels, guards, and attendants; while its spreading
branches afforded shady spots for the tents of his
friends, with their servants and cattle. And in the
march of an army it has been known to shelter
seven thousand men.
Such is the banian-tree, the pride of Hindustan ;
which Milton refers to as the one which served
“ our general mother” for her first essay in the art
of needlework.
EARLY NEEDLEWORK.
those of the banian-tree, of which the leaves, says
Sir James Forbes, are large, soft, and of a lively
green; the fruit a small bright scarlet fig. The
Hindoos are peculiarly fond of this tree; they con-
sider its long duration, its outstretching arms, and
overshadowing beneficence, as emblems of the Deity,
and almost pay it divine honours. The Brahmins,
who thus “ find a fane in every sacred grove,”
spend much of their time in religious solitude, under
the shade of the banian-tree; they plant it near
the dewals, or Hindoo temples; and in those vil-
lages where there is no structure for public worship,
they place an image under one of these trees, and
there perform morning and evening sacrifice. The
size of some of these trees is stupendous. Sir James
Forbes mentions one which has three hundred and
fifty large trunks, the smaller ones exceeding three
thousand ; and another, whereunder the chief of the
neighbourhood used to encamp in magnificent style;
having a saloon, dining room, drawing-room, bed-
chambers, bath, kitchen, and every other accommo-
dation, all in separate tents; yet did this noble tree
cover the whole, together with his carriages, horses,
camels, guards, and attendants; while its spreading
branches afforded shady spots for the tents of his
friends, with their servants and cattle. And in the
march of an army it has been known to shelter
seven thousand men.
Such is the banian-tree, the pride of Hindustan ;
which Milton refers to as the one which served
“ our general mother” for her first essay in the art
of needlework.