378 Mr. H. T. Colebrooke's Remarks on the Setlej River. 



The travellers halted four days (19th to 22d Sept.) on account of inces- 

 sant rain, waiting for the reconstruction of a sango over the Mangldd 

 torrent, which had been washed away by the flood. The temperature was 

 stationary at 50° during the rainy weather, but rose to QV wlien the weather 

 cleared. They now resumed tlicir journey, crossed the Mangldd by a 

 crazy bridge of two spars connected by twigs. The stream was frightfully 

 rapid. The ascent from the dell, steep as the descent to it, was more diffi- 

 cult; the path lying upon mica wet witii rain, and slippery at every step. 



Next day (23d Sept.) brought the travellers to Rdmpur, the capital of 

 liasehar. It is on the left bank of the Sellej, 3,300 feet above the sea, in 

 lat. 31°. 27', and long. 77°. 38'. The houses are of stone and slated, and 

 some are very neat. The spot is hot and unhealthy in summer, and as cold 

 in winter. Under the town is a rope bridge of 211 feet across the Setlej, 

 leading to Rulu. On the opposite summit of the range, which is lofty, are 

 tliree forts, crowned with huge towers and battlements, which give them an 

 imposing appearance. 



Following the banks of the Setlej, and crossing Nawagari, a large stream, 

 by a well-constructed wooden bridge, they found the doll expand at Datlci- 

 nagar. Hitherto the valley of the Setlej has been narrow, confined between 

 abrupt mountains. It now forms a flat, three miles wide, well watered by 

 canals, and bearing luxuriant crops. 



A few miles further they forded the B'cdri torrent, and finally emerged 

 fiom the glen of the Setlej by a very fatiguing and steep descent of 4,000 feet 

 perpendicular height ; and, three miles further, by a winding road through 

 woods of oak, yew, and horse-chesnuts ; and arrived at Kotgarh, where the 

 survey terminates. 



It will have been remarked in the preceding narrative, as in former ac- 

 counts of the same travellers, and of Mr. Moorcroft, Mr. Fraser, and others, 

 that at an elevation where the density of the air is diminished five-twelfths, 

 that is, where the barometric pressure is reduced to 17|; inches or seven- 

 twelfths of the atmospheric weight at the level of the sea, (which takes place 

 at an altitude of nearly 15,000 feet above that level,) difficulty of breathing 

 is experienced, attended with lassitude and severe head-ache. The native 



