A RUN THROUGH KATIIIAWAR. 195 



to sub-forms of human life, is a pretty safe climate, 

 and that Bombay has the advantage over the other 

 Presidency towns in the easy access which it affords 

 to immediate changes of climate at all seasons of the 

 year. It is supposed to have a very delightful climate 

 in what, by courtesy, is called its cold season; and, 

 110 doubt, visitors at that season, contrasting its sunny 

 air and brilliant skies with the cold and fog and dark- 

 ness of an English winter, have good reason to be 

 delighted with the change : but those who have had 

 some years' experience of tropical climes will perceive 

 that a winter on the coast of "Western India may do 

 them much harm, Avhile it is not likely to do good. 

 The weather is not cold enough to brace, or to allow 

 of warm clothes being worn with any degree of com- 

 fort ; but the dry, desiccating wind of the north-east 

 monsoon so rapidly cools the body as to be a real 

 source of danger. When protected from that wind 

 we are in a tropical climate ; when exposed to it we 

 are cooled almost as. rapidly as were the bottles of 

 beer and sherry which, wrapped in wet cloth, used 

 to be exposed to its influence before ice was imported 

 into India. 



Hence it follows that for Ihose who have to reside 

 in Bombay it is quite as important to get out of that 

 place in the cold season as in any other ; and fortu- 

 nately, in the provinces lying to the north, but in not 

 distant neighbourhood, really bracing weather is to 

 be found at that season, besides many objects of 



