358 THE OCEAN. 



the thunder ceases, and nothing is heard but the 

 continued pouring of the rain, and the rushing of 

 rising streams. The next day presents a gloomy 

 spectacle : the rain still descends in torrents, and 

 scarcely allows a view of the blackened fields ; the 

 rivers are swollen and discoloured, and sweep down 

 along with them the hedges, the huts, and the re- 

 mains of the cultivation which was carried on during 

 the dry season in their beds."* 



The effect upon the sea is graphically depicted by 

 Mr. Forbes : " At Anjengo," observes this author, 

 "the monsoon commences with great severity, and 

 presents an awful spectacle : the inclement weather 

 continues with more or less violence, from Mav 

 to October. During that period the tempestuous 

 Ocean rolls from a black horizon, literally of ' dark- 

 ness visible,' a series of floating mountains heaving 

 under hoary summits, until they approach the shore; 

 when their stupendous accumulations flow in suc- 

 cessive surges, and break upon the beach; every 

 ninth wave is observed to be generally more tre- 

 mendous than the rest, and threatens to overwhelm 

 the settlement. The noise of these billows equals 

 that of the loudest cannon, and with the thunder 

 and lightning so frequent in the rainy season, is 

 truly awful. During the tedious monsoon I passed 

 at Anjengo, I often stood upon the trembling sand- 

 bank to contemplate the solemn scene, and derive 

 a comfort from that sublime and omnipotent decree, 

 'Hitherto shalt thou come, but no further; and, 

 here shall thy proud waves be stayed !' "f 



* Account of Caubul, p. 126. f Oriental Memoirs. 



