^84 Dr Goran's Observations on the Natural History and 



country is formed, and which meet the eye on a cursory exa- 

 mination ; but numerous subordinate mineral beds exist, hi- 

 therto unexplored, and long likely to remain so, unless the 

 energies of the people themselves shall receive a stimulus from 

 their improved circumstances under our government. 



The personal exertions of the daily journey form a labour 

 amply sufficient for any one merely passing through the coun- 

 try, along foot-paths winding round the edges of precipices, 

 descents into deep and sultry river courses, painful and fa- 

 tiguing ascents to places which seem near, and yet requiring 

 almost a day's journey to reach ; and a minute and accurate 

 knowledge of the structure of the country will never be ac- 

 quired by any one who has not zeal sufficient to induce him to 

 leave behind all heavy baggage, adapt himself as much as 

 possible to the simple diet of the natives, and continue to pro- 

 secute his researches from some fixed point, with as few fol- 

 iowers as possible, the country being incapable, in many places, 

 of furnishing supplies for the retinue with which European 

 officers usually travel. 



In the plains of Hindostan, it has been often remarked, 

 that it is almost impossible for the European officer to have 

 much personal acquaintance either with the social character or 

 domestic habits of the natives. Much mutual misapprehen- 

 sion is apt to exist between those who meet only in public — 

 who only feel mutual sympathy on some great occasions of 

 common danger or display. The customs of eastern countries 

 admit only of the most public parts of the hospitable roof being- 

 accessible to any but the nearest of blood relations. The non- 

 observance of the Mosaic ritual separates the Eurbpean from 

 the Mahomedan ; the doctrine of Caste from the Hindoo ; a 

 certain degree of contempt, in which it is alleged the British, 

 more than other European nations, hold the fashions of those 

 whose customs differ from their own, equally alienate him 

 from both, in such social intercourse as their different situa- 

 tions might otherwise admit of their holding. 



Even the rude, though not indecorous, simplicity of the 

 most respectful behaviour in the inferior towards his superior 

 (recalling the memory of Scriptural and Homeric times) is 

 not always understood as it is meant, by those lately trans- 

 ported to eastern climes from these more highly favoured 



