340 THE OCEAN. 



the thunder ceases, and nothing is heard but the 

 continued pouring of tlie rain, and the rushing of 

 rising streams. The next day presents a gloomy 

 spectacle : the rain still descends in torrents, and 

 scarcely allows a view of the blackened fields ; the 

 rivers are swollen and discoloured, and sweep down 

 along with them the hedges, the huts, and the 

 remains of the cultivation which was carried on 

 durin<;j the drv season in their beds."* 



The effect upon the sea is graphically depicted by 

 Mr. Forbes: "At Anjengo," observes this author, 

 "the monsoon commences with great severity, and 

 presents an awful spectacle : the inclement weather 

 continues, with more or less violence, from May 

 to October. During that period the tempestuous 

 ocean rolls from a black horizon, literally of ' dark- 

 ness visible,' a series of floating mountains heaving 

 under hoaiy summits, until they approach the shore ; 

 when their stupendous accumulations flow in suc- 

 cessive surges, and break upon the beach ; every 

 ninth wave is observed to be generally more tre- 

 mendous than the rest, and threatens to overwhelm 

 the settlement. The noise of these billow^s equals 

 that of the loudest cannon, and, with the thunder 

 and lightning so frequent in the rainy season, is tioily 

 awful. During the tedious monsoon I passed at 

 Anjengo, T often stood upon the trembling sand-bank 

 to contemplate the solenm scene, and derive a comfoi-t 

 from that sublime and omnipotent decree, ' Hitherto 

 shalt thou come, but no further ; and, here shall thy 

 proud waves be stayed !' "-f- 



* Account of Caubul, p. 126. + Oriental Memoirs. 



