1883.] S. E. ViiAi—JVotes of a trip up the Dlhinc/. 9 



Travel alone is one good means of disseminating knowledge of us and 

 our aims, and of counteracting the endless series of rumours to our detri- 

 ment. Notably useful is it in politics and our state relationships. 



Formerly our Empire was scattered, and the need for consolidcition by 

 conquest and annexation imperative and patent. That day has departed, 

 but its traditions remain on all our frontiers, needing reiterated refutation. 

 The experiences of travellers to the east and south-east, confirm this. 

 On the present expedition the extraordinary and sudden change in every one, 

 as soon as it was explained that I was only a "tea planter," out amusing 

 himself was frequently suggestive and ludicrous. A Government officer is 

 both dreaded and suspected, as a rule, when found travelling among these 

 hills to the east. But apart from the questions of legitimate attempts by 

 us, to favourably influence those around our borders, or explain our good 

 wishes, lies the fact, that we stand almost as much in need of enlighten- 

 ment regarding them, as they do of us, and that the results of our igno- 

 rance may be — indeed must be — a decided disadvantage to all. Anything 

 which tends to remove that mutual ignorance, may be hailed as a decided 

 gain. Large and highly appointed expeditions are here out of the ques* 

 tion, or entail serious risks, the main obstacle being the difficulty of pro- 

 curing supplies, and transport. On the other hand a small and unobtrusive 

 party, can generally secure sufficient to enable it to push on, especially if 

 independent of the need for " transport." 



But while the benefits to be conferred and gained by travelling among 

 the hill races on our N. E. frontier are clear to all who know the country and 

 people ; there are other matters of interest that can be investigated at the 

 same time. Commercial, Ethnological and Geographical problems these 

 await solution even if the discovery of a feasible route to western China 

 be admitted as demonstrably impossible. The discovery of a trade route- 

 east out of Asam, via Patkai and Hukong towards the Shan States, 

 had engaged my attention, since 1869, and following the example of Mr. 

 H. L. Jenkins, I was enabled by actual observation, to determine the 

 heights of Patkai and the Nongyang valley on the southern or Burmese 

 side, demonstrating that the line taken by the Burmese of old was really 

 easy and feasible, even for a cart-road, and not the formidable or insuper- 

 able barrier that so many supposed. I am here glad to be able to record 

 the conversion of Mr. Lepper, to my views, the more so as he so strenuous- 

 ly opposed them for so many years. It is, however, one thing to find a 

 route out of Asam towards the east, and quite another to find an easy one 

 into western China. 



Formerly most of us supposed that if once out of Asam, there would 

 be little or no difficulty in entering China, the main difficulty of a trade 

 route was supposed to be Patkai, 

 2 



