THE INDIAN FAMINE.
LTo THE EDITOR Or TEE SPECTATOR:1 SIR,—You were good enough in January to insert a letter asking help on behalf of the famine-stricken people in the Diocese of Lucknow. The readers of the Spectator and other friends responded most promptly and kindly, so that about 22,000 has been placed in the Bishop's hands. He gave away as quickly as possible some three miles of warm cotton cloth, chiefly to those emaciated and unclothed people in the Shiurajpur Poor-House. Rugs were ordered about that time by the Government, and the weather gradually ceased to be cold, so that the need of giving warm clothes does not at present exist. The Bishop has undertaken the maintenance of one hundred orphans, and an asylum has been started for receiving those young widows who have been left destitute and without natural protectors, and who are thus exposed to serious moral danger. It may be known to some of your readers that the well-known Pundita Ramabai of Poona has also undertaken this branch of relief-work among her fellow countrywomen, and hopes to receive and provide for three hundred unprotected girls and widows. It is one of the most encouraging proofs of the increasing response of India to Christian teaching that Indian women should thus rise to become pioneer workers, and should propose, as the Pundits and her girls have done, to do with one meal daily and forego all luxuries for the sake of helping their sisters who are starving. The Bishop of Lucknow expects the distress to continue till the end of September. He is almost daily making grants to those who have undertaken to dis- tribute for him, and he has endeavoured to make the gifts carry the sympathy of the givers and convey a touch of brotherhood. So many have sent anonymously that I venture to offer our warm thanks through your columns.—I am, Sir, &c., Bedland Green, Bristol, April 21st. MARY CLIFFORD.
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