GOLD AND DIAMONDS. 143 



Previously to my being at Chittrah, a Mr. 

 Archibald Keir had resided there on a mining 

 speculation. I was informed that he found silver, 

 copper, and tin, in small quantities, also coal, and 

 a large vein of lead, from which he made a con- 

 siderable return, notwithstanding which, he sus- 

 tained great loss in the concern ; more, I believe, 

 from not meeting with the protection and en- 

 couragement he deserved, than from any other 

 cause. Gold abounds in that country; and in 

 Tomar there is a hill called Sonah Pahar (gold- 

 en hill), at the foot of which large quantities of 

 gold may be collected. Two gentlemen had 

 entered into an engagement to invest a large sum 

 of money in the speculation of collecting and 

 manufacturing it, but the death of one of them 

 frustrated their plan. Gold dust may be seen in 

 all the beds of the rivers after heavy falls of 

 rain, and diamonds are occasionally found in 

 them.* 



* A gentleman residing in Ramghur was informed that 

 a petty Rajah, who resided on the borders of the English 

 territories, possessed an immense diamond, of considerable 

 value. For a long time the gentleman used every art .in 

 his power to procure a sight of this diamond with the hopes 

 of purchasing it, but without success. The Rajah declared 



