■th; 



COMMENCEMENT OF THE RAINS 89 



I may add that in one instance, under the native 

 rule, the bamboo was utilized in a manner equally 

 singular, but quite unconnected with cruelty. The 

 town of Rampore, the capital of the little native state 

 of that name, in the province of Rohilcund, was fortified 

 by one of its former rajahs, not with ramparts and 

 bastions of earth or stone, but by a thick circle of 

 living bamboo-trees. Though a good deal dilapidated, 

 this curious fortification still exists. I have never 

 myself seen it, but I have been told by those who have 



at originally, before the trees were allowed to decay, 

 the ring of bamboos must have formed a wall nearly 

 absolutely impenetrable, one in which even the heaviest 

 artillery could have hardly effected a breach. The 

 ring was very wide, and narrow passages ran through 

 it. From these the garrison could pour a destructive 

 fire on the enemy, while themselves concealed and in 

 perfect security. I do not, however, know whether the 

 value of this mode of fortification was ever tested by 

 actual attack. 



