76 THE FLORIST. 



his tent, blankets, and other possessions, were all heaped on the same yak, and 

 he, perched a-top of all, looked like a gipsy on a laden donkey. The rider 

 was a small witliered man, arrayed in a green coat ; his Tartar cap surmounted 

 with a brass button. Behind came the sepas (or soldiers), enormous ruffianly- 

 looking fellows, dressed in blanketing. Each was armed Avith a pipe, a large 

 knife, and a rude long matchlock lashed across his stern. The matchlocks of 

 the Cliinese are always carried slung at right angles across the hip; they are 

 very rude weapons, and have a pronged support or rest, which falls up with a 

 hinge, and projects like an antelope's horn beyond the muzzle. These ungainly 

 weapons worn behind and at the lower part of the back gave the sepas a most 

 comical look. They came in marching order, took no notice of us, and camped 

 close by. We pitched our tents within a low cattle-enclosure on the open plain, 

 burning yak's dung for fuel. The cold Avas intense, and the wind violent and 

 dusty ; the sky brilliantly blue. We resolved to remain here for a day of two." 



Immediately after this passage (says the Gardeners' Chronicle, 

 from which the above information is mostly derived) the narrative 

 l^reaks off abruptly ; it is only from another, yet we believe authentic 

 source, that we learn that it was on their return into Sikkim after 

 another attempt, but an unsuccessful one, to enter Thibet at a more 

 eastern pass, the Rajah thought proper to send a band of soldiers, 

 who entered the tents while our travellers were totally unprepared : 

 they were suddenly and at the same instant seized, each by a 

 separate party ; their arras bound behind them with cords (in Dr. 

 Campbell's case, it is said, accompanied by cruelty) ; and they were 

 conveyed to the residence of the Sikkim Rajah at Tumlong, con- 

 fined as prisoners, and not allowed any communication with each 

 other. The R,ajah himself sent a letter conveying the intelligence 

 to the Governor- General, who, in the kindest manner, has written to 

 Sir William Hooker, with the assurance that he has replied to the 

 Rajah's letter, demanding the instant release of the prisoners as a 

 prehminary step to any treaty with him ; and his Excellency confi- 

 dently expects that the next mail will convey the welcome news of 

 the gentlemen being set at liberty. 



Since the above was in type, we have learnt with great pleasure 

 that our enterprising traveller is released. 



ON THE HARDINESS OF GLADIOLI. 



I TRUST that Mr. Brown's statements on this subject may prove 

 satisfactory to those who may be inclined to follow his directions. 



Should Gladioli prove hardy, as he states, I will with pleasure 

 give up the point, and acknowledge myself wrong ; but from various 

 experiments which I have made, I must still beg to differ from Mr. 

 Brown. I am of opinion that, except hybridising, or in other words, 

 except the disposition to early growth is prevented, which I think 

 cannot be done without hybridising with the Gandavensis section, 

 Gladioli will not prove perfectly hardy. 



Alford. J. Cole. 



