A JOURNEY FROM BENGAL TO ENGLAND, THROUGH THE NORTHERN PART OF INDIA, BY GEORGE FORSTER. IN THE CIVIL SERVICE OF THE HONOURABLE THE EAST-INDIA COMPANY. IN TWO VOLUMES. VOL. II. LONDON: PRINTED FOR R. FAULDER, NEW BOND-STREET. 1798. FORSTER'S TRAVELS. LETTER XIII. Kafbmire, 1783. DEAR SIR, IT is now neceffary to call your attention, already burthened, I fear, with no very pleasant matter, to the fubject of Kashmire, and endeavour to describe the natural beauties of a valley, which perhaps, ftands unparalleled for its air, foil, and a picturesque variety of landscape. THE northern path of the Bannaul hill, mentioned in my laft letter, is about one mile and a half shorter, than that of the fouthern fide, not that this difference arifes from the level of the low lands of Bannaul and Kashmire, but from the greater deA clivity VOL. II. clivity of the fouthern face of the hill. Yet it is evident, from the precipitated current of the rivers of this quarter of India, that the valley of Kashmire is confiderably more elevated than the Punjab plains. This height of fituation, furrounded alfo by mountains, whofe lofty fummits are covered with fnow, during a great part of the year, imparts a coldnefs to the air of Kashmire, which its immediate line of latitude would not otherwife poffefs. VEERE NAUG was the firft village we halted at, within the valley, where our party was ftrictly examined, but from the refpect fhewn by all claffes of people to Zulphucar Khan, we were permitted to pass untaxed and unmolested. A rare ufage at a Kashmirian cuftom-house! It should have been before noticed, that our patron, from the lameness of his hand and a general infirm ftate of body, was obliged to travel in a litter; a fpecies of carriage different from any feen in the fouthern quarters of India. The frame of four flight pieces of wood, is about four feet and a half long, and three in breadth, with a bottom of cotton lacing or split canes interwoven. Two stout bamboo poles, project three feet, from the end of the frame and are fastened to its outward fides, by iron rings. The extremities of these bamboos are loosely connected by folds of cords, into which is fixed, by closely twisting and binding at the centre, a thick pole, three feet long; and by these central poles, the litter, or as it is here called, the Sampan, is fupported on the fhoulders of four men. This conveyance you will fee affords no shelter against any inclemency of |