20 Dr. Govan on the Natural History and Physical 



The snow-clad mountain barrier, long seen and admired 

 from the plains of Hindostan, at distances even of" 150 miles, 

 skirtino- the whole of the north-east frontier for 500 or 600 



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miles, of which the sublime and imposing aspect had conse- 

 crated it among the Hindoos as a favourite residence of their 

 gods, is now accessible at many different points ; and a long, 

 laborious, and patient investigation, requiring time and the 

 union of numbers, will be requisite, before the various objects 

 interesting to science which it contains can be properly inves- 

 tigated, or the amount which it is capable of furnishing, to 

 increase our knowledge of geology, mineralogy, botany, and 

 meteorology, completely ascertained. The assistance, also, and 

 suggestions, of the learned in Europe, must be highly neces- 

 sary to those who, in a climate unfavourable to the European 

 constitution, and secluded both from the means of informa- 

 tion furnished by society and books, are, with no trifling per- 

 sonal exertion, directing their inquiries to these subjects. 



Those whose taste leads them more directly to the practi- 

 cal application of all acquired knowledge, to improvement in 

 the moral and physical condition of the human race, its no- 

 blest purpose, will here find ample fields for their benevolent 

 exertions and enlightened suggestions, in the low and debased 

 condition of the human inhabitants, in many parts of this 

 interesting region, over whose destinies the British govern- 

 ment has been called to preside. Divided among themselves, 

 and the rule over the numerous smaller states having long 

 been a constant object of contention among the larger ; or, at 

 a later period, over-run by the Ghoorkali power, and many 

 of them treated with a barbarity proportioned to the gallant- 

 ry with which they resisted its aggression, under the govern- 

 ment of warlike chiefs, whose principal object, during their 

 short rule, was the realizing to the utmost all the revenue 

 which the severest measures could exact, little opportunity of 

 improvement has been afforded them. 



In many parts of the country may be seen ruined villages, 

 buildings, and temples, as well as numerous artificial flats 

 for cultivation, now unoccupied, works both of much time, 

 labour and expense, evidencing some former period of pros- 

 perity, population, and leisure, such as no longer exists. 



