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period the English Sevato themselves to amusement and the natives not to be outdone begin a little earlier and continue their festivities to about January 10th.  The present is the great festival time of Southern India and I am up to my neck in the fun.  The greatest of Hindu Temples (original) are scattered between Madras and Tuticorins. particularly, at Madras, Trichinopoli, Seringham Tanjore, Chilambaram, all of which places I expect to visit before the close of the festival season, Trichinopoli is very gay today, with its crowds of gaily dressed nations (have seen only four whites, good natured, good looking, following the religious practices of thousands of years, singing, marching, dancing, exchanging visits giving flowers, bathing in the Kaveri River and in sacred tanks, crowding to the temples carrying great bejeweled idols and doing as they please without government interference.  It is all strangely picturesque and extremely fascinating.  In the thickest of the crowd this morning my progress not at all unpleasant to me.  Seemed not to please one of the high priests who sent a splendid big elephant with a crowd of servants to walk beside me sothat I should have plenty of room.  My guide however, who hates the Hindu's, said the high priest didn't care a rap for me but did not want the clothing of his chosed ones defiled by coming too near