OF THE OLD WORLD. 2G7 



further on, and continued our course, the spoor 

 leading along the bank. 



As we advanced, the woods became more and 

 more open, here and there alternating witli beauti- 

 ful green glades, which much reminded me of the 

 park scenery of " merrie England." On every side 

 were clusters of magnificent teak-trees, interspersed 

 with peepul, jack, and acacia, their branches twined 

 with wild vines, and covered with bunches of de- 

 liciously-sweet purple, or rather nearly black, grapes, 

 many coloured convolvuli, or other beautiful flower- 

 ing parasites. It was a wild garden of Nature's 

 own planting, and, struck with the strange and 

 almost supernatural beauty of the scene, I sat down 

 to contemplate her handiwork. Every sense was 

 gratified. The eye wandered with delight through 

 numerous vistas amid the foliage, and on verdant 

 glades, diversified with parterres of orchids, in full 

 bloom, of every hue and shade, whose presence filled 

 the forest round with fragrant aroma, and loaded 

 the breeze, which was delightfully cool as it played 

 round our heated temples, with pleasant perfume. 

 The bulbul (the Indian nightingale) vied with the 

 other feathered songsters in melody, soft, clear, and 

 harmonious; and for some moments I felt so struck 

 with the transcendent beauty of the scene before me, 

 (so like what I imagine the garden of Eden must 

 have been,) that I became absorbed in thought — 

 imagination, for the time, led me away, and even 

 the elephants were forgotten : short-lived sensations, 



