53 



The great rivers frequently swell some time before the rain falls 

 in the low countries, from what immediate cause I know not. This 

 sudden rise is easily accounted for in those rivers whose source among 

 mountains, with snow-capped summits, receive additional streams 

 from the power of the sun in the hottest season of the year. Although 

 theNerbudda andTappee do not spring among such wintry regions, 

 I have seen these rivers in an awful state, threatening destruction. 



Two years before I left India, some weeks previous to the set- 

 ting in of the south-west monsoon, we had the most dreadful storm 

 ever remembered in Guzerat ; its ravages by sea and land were 

 terrible ; the damage at Baroche was very great, and the loss of 

 lives considerable. It came on so suddenly, that a Hindoo wed- 

 ding passing in procession through the streets by torch-light, with the 

 usual pageantry of palanquins, led-horses, and a numerous train of 

 attendants, were overtaken by the tempest, and fled for shelter into an 

 old structure, which had for ages withstood the rage of the elements : 

 on that fatal night, from the violence of the winds and rain, both 

 roof and foundation gave way, and seventy-two of the company 

 were crushed to death. 



. . At our villa every door and window was blown away, the ele- 

 ments rushed in at all directions, and spoiled furniture, pictures, 

 books, and clothes. The roof of the stable giving way, the main 

 beam killed a fine Arabian horse, and maimed several others. The 

 garden next morning presented a scene of desolation, strewed with 

 large trees torn up by the roots, broken pillars, seats and orna- 

 ments, sea and land birds, wild and tame animals, porcupines, 

 guanas, serpents, and reptiles, all crushed together. Large fish 

 fro nvtfae ocean, together with those of the river, were left upon the 



