26 Chirra Punji, and its eligibility for the erection [Jan. 



twelve degrees of Farenheit below that of the plains of Bengal : in the 

 months of March, April, May, September, and October, the difference 

 is full twenty degrees. 



As to climate, my own opinion, founded on personal experience of its 

 effects on the health of my own large family, is highly in favor of its sa- 

 lubrity. I have no hesitation in giving it the preference to any I have 

 ever been in ; it must however be admitted that a widely different view 

 has been taken on this point by others, who consider the dampness of 

 the atmosphere, during the rains, as injurious to persons labouring under 

 organic affections of the liver ; whether this opinion is correct, or not 

 remains to be proved, for I believe a large majority of medical gentlemen 

 who have visited the Sanatarium concur in considering the climate as 

 highly congenial to the European constitution: in which opinion they 

 are borne out by the florid and general healthy appearance of the Euro- 

 pean soldiers ; but more especially of children, amongst whom no casualty 

 has taken place in three years, though many have been afflicted with 

 complaints incidental to childhood, which in all human probability would 

 have proved fatal in the plains ; some also who have been sent as a last 

 hope in a state of extreme debility have been restored to perfect health 

 in a few weeks. In these hills Cbolera has never been known, although 

 its ravages have frequently extended to the villages at their feet. The 

 bilious remittent or jungle fever of Bengal is also unknown, and I be- 

 lieve no instance bas occurred of a fatal case of dysentery. 



Tyrea Ghat, which is at the commencement of the ascent, may be 

 reached by the Pandua river, which is navigable for small boats, from 

 the beginning of May, to the end of September ; during the other months 

 land carriage commences from Pandua, or Munipoor Ghat, the form- 

 er distant from Tyrea two, and the latter four, miles. The Kasya 

 porters however make no additional charge, their fares for conveying a 

 load of one maund up or down the hill being four annas, whether taken 

 up or laid down, at Tyreah, or either of the other stations. The road 

 between Tyrea and Chirra has been recently much improved, and is for 

 the most part practicable on horseback. There is no doubt that a liberal 

 outlay of money, under the directions of a skilful engineer, would make 

 it fit for wheeled carriages, at all events for elephants and loaded bul- 

 locks ; it is also certain that at a moderate expence means might be 

 devised of bringing coal, iron, and other bulky and heavy articles down 

 to the plains, at one-tenth part of their present cost ; but I shall take a 

 future opportunity of submitting to the Asiatic Society, a model of a 

 cheap and simple machinery, which I have contrived for the purpose. 



From Calcutta, by a steam boat, the journey to Chattak (on the 

 Soorma river) may at all seasons be performed in less than six days. 



