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planatory of the purpose for which it was erected. Patna is a large 

 populous trading city, and from the river makes a good appear- 

 ance. There we found a number of vessels employed in its com- 

 merce, and the bazar well stocked with merchandize, particularly 

 abounding with coppersmiths, cooks, and confectioners. A large 

 space was allotted to the bird-sellers, who daily frequent it with a 

 variety of birds, from the voracious hawk to the innocent dove : the 

 most abundant were the languishing love-sick bulbuls ; for so these 

 nightingales are described in the zenanas, whither they and the 

 doves are generally destined. 



The morning we left Patna the snowy mountains were distinctly 

 visible in the N, E. quarter. Our next landing was at Mongheer, 

 where we arrived on the 27th, but apprehensive of the usual hos- 

 pitable reception and friendly detention, we concealed our arrival, 

 and walked immediately to Seeta Coond, a celebrated hot-well at 

 some distance from the town. It is secured by masonry, and a cen- 

 tinel is placed over it to prevent nuisances. The water is extremely 

 hot, so that I could not bear my finger in it a single moment. It 

 smokes and bubbles violently, and is perfectly clear and tasteless. 

 Near it is another well, called Ram Koond, where the water is only 

 tepid : that in the Seeta Coond is of such purity, as not only to be 

 preferred to any other by the natives, but is procured by those 

 who can afford it, on the voyage from India to Europe, as it never 

 putrefies, nor becomes in the least offensive. Ram and Seeta are 

 as eminent in the Hindoo mythology as Jupiter and Juno in the 

 Grecian. 



The fortifications of Mongheer appear extensive but ruinous. 

 The commanding officers' quarters, situated on an eminence, com- 



