18 THE TEESTA VALLEY 



in and overshadowed by what seems so infinitely 

 greater than ourselves. The roaring river fills the 

 centre of the gorge. The precipitous cliffs rise 

 sheer on either hand. We seem for the moment 

 too minute to cope with such titanic conditions. 

 But sometimes by circumventing the cliffs and after 

 a long tedious detour appearing high above them, 

 sometimes by blasting a passage across their very 

 face, we have proved ourselves able to overcome 

 them. They no longer affright us. And as we 

 return down the valley after a journey to its 

 upmost limit, it is with nothing but sheer delight 

 that we look upon these cliffs. They simply im- 

 press us with the strength that must go along with 

 elevation of purpose if that purpose is to be achieved. 

 Unbuttressed by these staunch cliffs the mountains 

 could never have reached their present height. 

 We glory, then, with the cliffs in their solidity and 

 strength as they proudly face the world. And we 

 recognise that in this firmness and consistency of 

 purpose lies their especial Beauty. 



In contrast with the swirling river and hard, 

 rugged cliffs we, quite close to them, and hidden 

 away in a modest tributary of a tributary in the 

 quiet forest depths, will happen upon some deep 

 sequestered pool which imbues us with a sense of the 

 delicacy and reserve of Nature. We here see her 

 in a peculiarly tender aspect. The pool is still and 

 clear. The lulling murmurs of a waterfall show 

 whence it draws its being. A gentle rivulet carries 

 the overbrim away. It is bounded by rocks and 

 boulders green with exquisite ferns and mosses. 



