63 



mango and banian trees, and the surface almost covered by the 

 lovely flowers of the lotus in all its varied hues. 



Mr. Callander accompanied me from Jamboseer to Ahmeda- 

 bad. We left his hospitable mansion early on the 27th of April, 

 and passed the sultry hours at Gudgerah, a large populous town 

 surrounded by a wall, to protect it from the depredations of the 

 Coolies, who are a very insolent set among the numerous, and pro- 

 bablj r indigenous tribes of freebooters and robbers in this part of 

 Guzerat. The Indian robbers of all descriptions are uncommonly 

 clever, and by long habit elude the greatest vigilance. 



From Gudgerah we proceeded to Corelli, a pleasant village on 

 the south banks of the Mahi, which gives its name to the cele- 

 brated pass over that river. We pitched our tents under a spread- 

 ing banian-tree, and passed the night more pleasantly than we 

 could have done in any house in the village, although in those 

 districts the villages are generally large and tolerably convenient, 

 with a bazar or market well supplied. Banian and mango groves, 

 temples, choultries, wells, and tanks, add to their comfort and 

 beauty. They realize Southey's picture in detached parts of his 

 Kehama, which I have brought together, as a novel and faithful 

 description of a good Hindoo village. 



'Twas a fair scene wherein they stood, 

 A green and sunny glade amid the wood, 

 And in the midst an aged banian grew. 

 It was a goodly sight to see 

 , That venerable tree; 

 For o'er the lawn, irregularly spread 

 Fifty straight columns propt its lofty head; 

 x\nd many a long depending shoot, 

 Seeking to strike its root. 



