258 TRAVEL, ADVENTURE, AND SPORT. 



be distinguished from the nuts, or rather beans, 

 of the lotus (Nelumbium speciosum), which are also 

 used as an article of food, and prized as a delicacy. 

 These, with the lotus-roots, and the immense quantity 

 of fish, provide abundance of food for a much larger 

 population than is to be found in the neighbour- 

 hood of the Kashmir lakes ; but of what avail is 

 such bounty of Providence and all the land lying 

 round, when the first conditions of human pros- 

 perity are wanting? 



Passing the Silver Island and the Island of 

 Chiinars, I went up to the Shalimar Bagh, or 

 Garden of Delight, a garden and pleasure-house, the 

 work of the Emperor Jehangi'r and of his spouse Xiir 

 Jahan ; but fine as this place is, I preferred the 

 Xishat Bagh, or Garden of Pleasure, which is more 

 in a recess of the lake, and also was a retreat con- 

 structed by the same royal pair, and planned by 

 the Empress herself. The Garden of Pleasure is 

 more picturesquely situated, though shaded by not 

 less magnificent trees. The mountains rise up close 

 behind it, and suggest a safe retreat both from the 

 the dangers and the cares of state ; and its view of 

 the lake, including the Sona Lank, or Golden Island, 

 is more suggestive of seclusion and quiet enjoy- 

 ment. Ten terraces, bounded by magnificent trees, 

 and with a stream of water falling over them, lead 

 up to the latticed pavilion at the end of this 

 garden. Between the double storeys of this pavilion 



