TRANSACTIONS OF THE SECTIONS. 159 



of more than one or two practicable passes ; that through Sikkini to the vicinity 

 of Thibet offers the fewest difficulties, and in every respect promises the most 

 speedy results with a moderate outlay. Other routes to the west, leading to 

 Badafeshan, and one by Ladak to Turkestan (where we have already an energetic 

 and enterprising British representative in Mr. Shaw), and through the valley and 

 passes of the Chitral, are beset by many difficulties, physical and political, though not 

 more than a powerful Government like India may surmount. It has been said 

 that if the Russians had such a question to deal with, the solution would not be 

 long delayed ; and no doubt they have solved some more arduous problems in the 

 present generation. The enterprise, vigour, and perseverance which mark all their 

 proceedings where the extension of their commerce or their dominion and influ- 

 ence over Asia from Peking to Constantinople (and especially towards the Khanates 

 of Central Asia) are concerned, may leave us far behind in the race, and render 

 them formidable adversaries, notwithstanding their merchants are weighted with 

 distances so vast, that the 700 miles from the Indus to the other side of the 

 Himalayas sink into insignificance. But I am not inclined to join in any con- 

 demnation of our own Government, without taking into consideration the inherent 

 difficulties of the task, because they have not moved hitherto more rapidlj' in this 

 direction. As regards access by Sikkim there ought to be both decision and 

 prompt action. It is a protected state, and a late despatch of the Lieut.-Governor 

 of Bengal to the Secretary to the Government of India expresses a hope to be 

 able to connect the frontier mart at Dewangiri, once a very active trade-mart for 

 the Tibetans and other adjoining districts, with the plains of India by a good 

 road this next cold season. He considers it possible "to have a much easier, 

 pleasauter, and more profitable communication with High Asia by this way than 

 further west;" and speaks very decidedly as to the uselessness of any right of 

 passage or trade through Nepaul or Bhootan. There seems every hope, therefore, 

 that within a few months something effective will be done to open a trade-route 

 through Sikkim and make the passes practicable. All that seems to be required is 

 a branch railroad from the other side of the Kooshteen, where the Eastern Bengal 

 Railway touches the Ganges, on through fertile Rimgpore to the foot of the hills, 

 and a road through the pass to the border, where a fair could be established and a 

 trading station maintained. 



Any direct access beyond the Thibetan border can only, in the present con- 

 dition of affairs, be obtained by diplomatic action at Peking. The Chinese 

 Government have hitherto created all the obstacles ; and there is the greater 

 reason for pressing a less restrictive policy upon the Chinese, that at the head of 

 the Assam valley the Mishmi country communicates with Batang, a dependency of 

 tlie Szechuen Province of China ; and access to this point thi-ough the border would 

 be a much more effective mode of tapping the south-western pro\'inces of China 

 than any routes through Burmah to "i unnan. Now that the Emperor's minority 

 is at an end, and the Regency with it, the time would seem favourable for a strong 

 and decided eflbrt at Peking to remove the obstruction created by the jealous and 

 restrictive policy of the Chinese rulers. But while Chambers of Commerce and 

 Merchants are urging Her Majesty's Government to incur both outlay of money 

 and grave political responsibilities for the furtherance of trade and the opening of 

 new markets for om- manufactures, it is necessary that they should be prepared to 

 do their own part, and push boldly forward with their goods as soon as access can 

 be gained — ^because any doubt on this head must necessarily tend to paralyze the 

 efforts of a Government by the fear of working in vara. One cause of hesitation 

 about the continuance of the magnificent work commenced by Lord Dalhousie in 

 •1850, by which a great road was to be made from the plains to Shipki on the 

 borders of Thibet, may have been certain doubts expressed by merchants as to any 

 trade taking that route. 



But I must not detain you longer. I will only glance at the projects for opening 

 a trade by railway between Burmah and South-western China. The one route, so 

 long advocated by Captain Spry, would cross over from Rangoon to Kianghung on 

 the Meikong; and another, recommended by Colonel Fytche when Chief Com- 

 missioner of British Burmah, would extend from Rangoon to Prome, with a view 

 to opening a trade ma Bhamo. 



