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and localities selected in the Himalayas, and the 

 health and vigour of the plants, as compared with 

 those which he saw in China. His opinions on 

 these points then, I have given in some detail, 

 because, as affirming the judgement of the Super- 

 intendent, they are satisfactory to Government ; 

 and as assuring the public that large tracts of the 

 Hymalayas are as suitable to the growth of the 

 tea plant as the best parts of China, they are 

 of the highest value to the future Capitalist. 

 That Mr. Fortune had no practical experience 

 of tea cultivation and tea manufacture was well 

 known. It was not expected, therefore, that he 

 should be acquainted with all its details. Indeed 

 it was to obtain this very information that he was 

 deputed, at Dr. Jameson's request, a second time 

 to China. The disturbed state of the country pre- 

 vented his procuring it, and it is to be regretted ; 

 but I would not have it supposed that any blame 

 is attributable to him. On the contrary, though 

 from a sense of justice to others, and because Mr. 

 Fortune's reports have helped to give currency 

 to an idea prevalent in some quarters, that Govern- 

 ment had mismanaged an experiment of the highest 

 national importance, I have been compelled, in this 

 brief survey, to put matters in their true light, I 

 most gladly admit, that his services to the tea plan- 

 tations in the Himalayas, were, to use the words of 

 Dr. Jameson, f invaluable.' 'Large supplies of fine 



