128 
Dum Dum, Dec. 1813.—* My time has 
been much occupied since I came here, as 
the whole of the medical duties of the 
battalions lies on me, and though not 
severe labour, this occupies a good deal 
of time. I am applying vigorously to 
Hindostanee, and have employed a Moon- 
shee since I came here: my previous 
knowledge of Persian is very useful, many 
of the Hindostanee words being similar, 
and as I shall recommence Persian when 
I have mastered Hindostanee, my former 
acquaintance with it will render the labour 
much lighter. A competent knowledge of 
these languages is essentially necessary, 
and to many situations it is the only pass- 
port. Of all the Oriental languages, Hin- 
dostanee is the most generally spoken, 
particularly in the provinces dependant on 
Bengal; while in Madras and the southern 
provinces, it is not so much used. I am 
told that four different Besa? are spoken 
oM , the 
who are acquainted with any of these 
tongues. My ambition, after making some 
farther progress, will be to gain admittance 
into the College, where some opportunity 
of distinguishing myself may arise, by 
which I may obtain an advantageous si- 
tuation.” 
Camp on the Ghaut, January 9, 1815.— 
“ On the 7th, we were in the neighbour- 
hood of Pursah, where I viewed the field 
of battle, a melancholy but not uninterest- 
ing sight. The time and appearance of 
the spot were perfectly consonant to the 
feelings it was calculated to excite. 
J evening was gloom , and the descendin 
ening g y E 
sun could scarcely pierce the thick haze 
that obscured the horizon. Nothing met 
the eye all around, but a dreary waste of 
x jungle, bounded by the black line of forest 
"et. the foot of the hills, which were com- 
pletely enveloped in mist. The chief 
scene of action had been a small grove of 
trees, whose shattered trunks bore evidence 
of the fire, and whose branches were now 
crowded with vultures, Perhaps you may 
MEMOIR OF THE LATE MR. WILLIAM JACK: 
‘view whose variety might have distracted — 
think that a more sublime scene mi 
have better suited the occasion, but 
desolate uniformity that prevailed, un- 
broken by any trace of cultivation, | 
something in it far more impressive than 
the mind from the objects before it; added | 1 
to which, we were alone at a distance from — 
camp, and in so lonely a place, that in the | 
dim twilight, fancy could almost conjure | 
up the ghosts of the slain. oa 
* Although so near, we have as yet 
hardly seen the hills, as they have been — 
constantly hid by fog. One day, however, — 
at Betliah, it was tolerably clear, and we - 
had a noble view of them, tracing dis- | 
tinctly the whole line of the. Himalayan — 
or Snowy Range, towering above the hills - 
immediately in front, which, though of - 
great elevation, dwindled into pigmies be- — 
fore the immense barrier which shot up - 
behind, covered with snow to the lowest x 
visible point. 
presented a magnificent appearance, re- 
flecting the first rays of the morning sun. - 
By the most moderate calculations we have — 
been able to make, both from our own ob- - 
servations and the data given by Kirk- 
patrick, in his Account of Nepaul; they | 
are several thousand feet higher than the | 
Andes, hitherto considered the loftiest in 
the world." 
Camp, Bechiaco, Feb. 11, 1816.—* We 
are now encamped in the stony bed of a 
river, nearly dry at this season, with hills 
covered with wood rising on every side of 
us. I like this scenery; as it reminds 
me somewhat of my own country. Fancy 
to yourself an immense ravine, winding 
among the hills, which looking upwards, 
appear as they rise behind one another, 
in the perspective, to close it in somewhat. 
in the form of a huge amphitheatre; the 
bottom about half a mile in breadth, co- 
vered with white sand and stones, wi 
three or four little streams, scarcely andi 
deep, creeping along among them 
camp; in motley variety, Heus along 
AMI MEL 
occupied by one of our battalions, perche 
upon the top of the bank, and seeming t 
