CHAPTER IX 



THE HAPPY VALLEY 



EGERN AM TEGERNSEE ! but on a much larger 

 scale. A wreath of snow-giants surrounds the 

 valley of Srinagar the Happy Valley, as the people 

 call it. 



The whole of Anglo-India spends its summer 

 here. White maples greet the stranger on his 

 arrival, fields of iris wave their blue and white flags 

 along the edges of the road, whilst gigantic plantains, 

 mulberry trees, deodar pines, and cedars call a wel- 

 come. 



" Welcome to the Happy Valley, where the world 

 comes to an end and Paradise begins ! " India's 

 loveliest jewel casket, full of emeralds and pearls, 

 lying at the foot of the Himalayas, the world's 

 reservoir of rivers and oceans. 



Like a green haze the rich vegetation is outlined 

 against the blue in the far distance. The air is soft, 

 bracing, and acts like balsam on the nerves. One 

 can draw deep, refreshing breaths. It is a sweet 



spot on earth, which causes our souls to expand, and 



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