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merchant in the shawl trade, who passes the winter season 

 at Amritsir, returning to Cashmere, when the passes 

 open, for business. 



The Maharajah does not permit Europeans to reside 

 in the valley during the winter ; perhaps, from jealousy 

 of their becoming permanent residents, and finally an- 

 nexing the country ; perhaps, because the winter is the 

 time for collecting his revenue, when, it is said, the most 

 infamous oppression is practised, and complaints are rife 

 and loud. 



I had seen the new comer, but was not acquainted with 

 him, and could do no less than invite him to share my 

 homely fare, and after some polite demur he fell to. He 

 spoke no English, and my French had been lying ' perdue ' 

 a couple of years or so ; but I assayed to converse, and 

 eking out my French with Hindostani managed to keep 

 up the conversation without difficulty. The stout gent 

 had been carried all the way from Amritsir in a jan-pan 

 a sort of covered chair on poles which four or six men 

 at a time carry on their shoulders. How he could ever 

 get up the Pir Panjal, I could not imagine. 



Another traveller had also arrived one, by the bye, I 

 should have previously noted as having arrived at Rijaori 

 the day I halted there an artillery Yet, who had been 

 suffering from some affection of the head, and irritability 

 of nerves. He dined with me at Rijaori, and highly 

 approved the mahseer, which he pronounced equal to 

 salmon, but far inferior in my opinion. 



In the course of the day I found the unfortunate Vet 

 had sent his pony round by the Poonah pass from Bara- 

 moolah, and he lamented having done so, groaning over 

 the prospect of the morrow's arduous exertions. I, there- 

 fore, placed mine at his disposal, as I prefer footing it, 

 especially when the path is difficult. 



