Memoir of Capt Jas. Forsyth, by the Rev. Jas. Forsyth. 65 



sickness. One day, returning from exploring amid the ruined 

 abodes of ancient royalty, he imprudently lay down to rest, and 

 fell asleep in the open air. The poison entered his veins, he was 

 seized with fever, issuing in small pox, and was obliged to cease 

 from all active work, and seek refuge in a ruined hill fort. For 

 weeks he remained in a feeble state, and when sufficiently re- 

 covered, he had to find his way along a rough and fatiguing road, 

 to his forest bungalow. That forest home he had erected for 

 himself at the commencement of his labours, as a place of retreat 

 when not engaged in these, selecting for it a spot of remarkable 

 grandeur and beauty near the shrine of Mahadeo, not far distant 

 from the celebrated Marble Eocks, on the Narbudda, with the 

 eternal verdure of the great Sal Forest, the far stretching 

 valley of the river and the lofty mountains surrounding its 

 sources, all before his eye. In this retreat, which he had 

 named "Bison Lodge," he spent many a solitary hour, record- 

 ing in his journal the scenes and adventures that were after- 

 wards to be embodied in his work on "The Highlands of Cen- 

 tral India," completing his sketches of remarkable scenery or in- 

 cidents, refreshing his spirit with loving study of his Shakes- 

 peare, penning his letters to friends at home, and indulging 

 meanwhiles mayhap the fond recollections suggested by his em- 

 ployment. 



On his retirement from the Forest Department, which, on many 

 accounts, he had highly enjoyed, he was offered the im- 

 portant office of Settlement Officer of Nimar. He accepted of 

 it, being one of considerable preferment. Previously, however, 

 to entering on his duties, he took privilege leave of three months 

 to Europe, to get the benefit of the sea voyage, visit his friends 

 at home, and see the Paris Exhibition on his way back.* 

 Returning to India with invigorated health, he took up his new 

 work with alacrity and diligence. 



He was so far prepared for it that he was well acquainted with 

 the district of Nimar, had largely mingled in kindly intercourse 

 with the tribes inhabiting it while in the forest, and was per- 

 fectly familiar with their various dialects. 



* At the Exhibition his time and attention were almost entirely absorbed 

 by Krupp's machines and inventions, in the Prussian Department for Gun- 

 nery, of which he wrote a critical account during his voyage, and sent it to 

 the Field. 



