THE OUTER HIMALAYAH. 37 



may not diminish their capacity for profitable enter- 

 prise, still to settlers the former can alone prove attrac- 

 tive. As regards companies this might be different, 

 and it might not eventually be impracticable for a 

 settler to live in a healthy position, while cultivating 

 lands in an unhealthy situation. The amount of 

 healthy land at the disposal of Government is large, 

 but a larger proportion is in the hands of the natives of 

 the country. The remarkable tenacity with which they 

 cling to the habits and employment of their fathers, 

 and the absence of any desire to rise beyond the sphere 

 in which they were born, render them adverse to 

 change or 'improvement ; but by the cordial co-operation 

 of the local civil authorities with an intending settler, 

 and by working on their love of gain, which, with a 

 taste for indolent indulgence, forms the leading feature 

 of a native's character, they can certainly be induced to 

 lease or sell as much land as may be required. No one, 

 we conceive, can embark for India as a tea planter with- 

 out at least 2,000/., if intending to cultivate on his own 

 account, although where partnership exists, each indi- 

 vidual's share need not reach the above amount. It 

 must be remembered that, in addition to buying, clear- 

 ing, and planting the ground, for three years no profit 

 can be expected, during which time, nevertheless, the 

 cultivator will require to live, which, however, in the 

 position of a settler in India need not cost more than 

 from 10/. to 15/. per month. It is almost needless to 

 state that upon the settler himself will depend whether 

 success or the reverse attend his endeavours. 



