This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1899 edition. Excerpt: ... Sketches of India Mr. Lanier writes to Mr. Gibson Peacock in 1875, as follows: "Yours . . . came to hand safely; and I should have immediately acknowledged it, had I not been over head (literally) and ears in a second instalment of my India papers, for which the magazine was agonizedly waiting. Possibly yon may have seen the January number by this time; and it just occurs to me that if you should read the India article, you will be wondering at my talking coolly of strolling about Bombay with a Hindu friend. But Bhima Ghandarva (Bhima was the name of the ancient Sanscrit hero The Son of the Air, and Ghandarva means A Heavenly Musician) is only another name for Imagination -- which is certainly the only Hindu friend I have; and the propriety of the term, as well as the true character of Bhima Ghandarva, and the insubstantial nature of all adventures recorded as happening to him and myself, is to be fully explained in the end of the last article. I hit upon this expedient after much tribulation and meditation, in order at once to be able to make something like a narrative that should avoid an arid, encyclopedic treatment, and to be perfectly truthful. The only plan was to make it a pure jeu a"esprit; and in writing the second paper I have found it of great advantage."] I "Come," says my Hindu friend, "let us do Bombay." The name of my Hindu friend is Bhima Gandharva. At the same time his name is not Bhima Gandharva. But -- for what is life worth if one may not have one's little riddle? -- in respect that he is not so named let him be so called, for thus will a pretty contradiction be accomplished, thus shall I secure at once his privacy and his publicity, and reveal and conceal him in a breath. It is eight o'clock in the morning. We have...