Page images
PDF
EPUB

as I myself saw: but I believe the adjacent inhabitants do not use any means of catching them. No cultivation is seen in the vicinity of the Jumna, though a spacious plain extends on the western side, and might be watered without much difficulty from the river. The Siringnaghur territory, which, here terminates, is bounded on the north and the northeast, by the districts of independent Hindoo Rajahs; on the south by Oude; on the west and north-west by the Jumna; and on the south-west, by the dominions of the Sicques. From Lall Dong to the Ganges, the country forms, with little interruption, a continued chain of woody hills. The elephant, which abounds in these forests, but of a size and quality inferior to that found in the Chittagong and Malay quarters, is here only valued for its ivory. From the Ganges to the Jumna, the road lics through an extensive valley, of a good soil, but thinly inhabited, and interspersed with wood. The food of the people is wheaten bread and pease, the latter being usually made into a soup; and, believe me, that in the course of my life I never eat a meal with a higher relish. Vigourous health, indeed, daily labour, and a clear air, will recommend to the appetite worse things than wheaten cakes and pease-soup. The attempt to ascertain the revenue of a coun

try in which I have been so cursory a sojourner, would be presumptuous. I will therefore generally say, that Siringnaghur is computed to give an annual produce of about twenty lacks of rupees. The officer on the western side of the Jumna, taxed me in the sum of two rupees; alleging, that being merely a passenger, and unconnected with any traffic from which an advantage would arise to the country, that I was taxable in myself. The same argument being held as at the Siringnaghur pass, and esteeming myself fortunate at falling under no minuter notice, I paid the fine with pleasure.

On the 7th, at Karidah on the 8th, at Coleroon

eight cosses; and

seven cosses,

[ocr errors]

hamlets of a few houses. Here two Kashmirians, a Sunassee*, myself and servant, quitted the kafilah, and on the 9th, arrived at Nhan-eight cosses; the residence of the chief of a territory of the same name; and who on the day of our arrival, made a public entry A division into the town after a long absence. of the Nhan country extends to the southward of the head of the Punjab, and bordering the country of the Sicques, they, agreeably to a conduct observed with all their weaker neighbours, took possession of it. The Rajah armed himself

* The name of a Hindoo tribe, chiefly composed of mendicants; though I have seen a Sunassee conducting an extensive commerce,

to recover the districts in question, but after a desultory warfare in which he acquired much military credit, he was obliged to sue for peace; nor were the conquered lands restored until he consented to remit a tribute of two thousand rupees to a certain Sicque chief. This sum you will doubtless deem trifling, and it is so in your country, where specie is plenty, and the mode of living conformably luxurious and extravagant. But amongst these mountaineers, whose manners are rude and simple, who seek for little else than the necessaries of life, which are produced to them in great abundance, this amount is important, and to collect it, requires even oppressive exertion.

THE inhabitants, and the foreign merchants of the town, were laid under a severe contribution for the maintenance of this war; and the chief having now discovered the weight which the people can bear, it is probable that he will continue to reap the benefit of the impost, though the cause is removed. The Rajah of Nhan made an entry into his capital, not as Alexander entered Babylon, but with some dozen horsemen, sorrily clad, and very slenderly mounted. Had they indeed been better equipped, both themselves and horses would have shewn to little advantage, after clambering up at least six miles of a steep mountain, on

the summit of which the small, though neat, town of Nhan stands. This chief, a handsome young man, of a bright olive complexion, and taller than the middle size, was dressed in a vest of yellow silk, and a red turban; and he was armed with a sabre, a bow, and a quiver of arrows. Though he has made them groan with exactions, he is a great favourite of the people. But he is young and brave, and he liberally dis] burses what he extorts. The joy invariably expressed by the crowds who came to congratulate his safe return, gave me a sensible pleasure. They saluted him without noise or tumult, by an inclination of the body, and touching the head with the right hand: hailing him at the same time their father and protector. The chief, whilst passing, spoke to them in terms affectionate and interesting, which, like a stroke of magic, seemed in an instant to erase every trace of grievance. Such were the advantages which pleasing manners and a liberality of temper, joined to the other alluring qualities of a soldier, gave to this prince; and will, unfortunately for their subjects, give to every prince of similar endowments on the face of the earth. Would it not be more productive of the welfare of mankind, that, instead of these clinquant virtues, a despotic ruler possessed a disposition. thoroughly impregnated with vice; that with

his tyranny, he united cowardice and envy, avarice and arrogance? The subjects of such a prince, would be the sooner impelled to break the disgraceful yoke, and, by a successful example, promote the general cause of civil liberty.

A SPECIES of fascination I find has now caught me, and I cannot quit the ground without introducing on it, which I do with a profound reverence for his memory, and entreating forgiveness of his shade for classing him in such company, the illustrious Julius Cæsar, who may be quoted to confirm the truth of the foregoing position. Cato's supposed reflection on the character of this hero, concludes with imprecating his virtues, for they had ruined his country. No fact of ancient or modern history, has, perhaps, given more literary pleasure, than the life of Cæsar; nor perhaps is any record of the ancient annals better authenticated. Had that great man restored, with peace, the liberty of his country; had Cæsar cherished the fire of the Roman senate, he would have had no parallel on earth. Yet, "if "Cæsar did wrong, he suffered grievously for "it."-An exemplary humanity, of rare growth in his day, was the native virtue of Cæsar, and is ever the genuine attendant of a great soul. The humane exercise of power throws even a lustre on characters that else would

[ocr errors]
« PreviousContinue »