CHAPTER I. 



EXPLANATOllT INTEODUCTION. 



Steangb as it may appear, the fact is indubitable, that the 

 Indian community, generally, are not aware of the existence 

 of a region within their reach, of easy access, possessing a 

 climate acknowledged, and by meteorological evidence prov- 

 ed to be, the most equable in the world, and fully as 

 bracing and strengthening as that of any part of Great 

 Britain. 



Strange, that ignorance of this favored spot should have 

 been so prevalent in any part of India ; but stiU more strange, 

 that many able writers in the service of the Madras and 

 Bombay Governments, should have devoted their labours 

 almost in vain, so far as the public in general is concerned, to 

 describe the character of the Neilgherry Hills, by lucid me- 

 moirs and reports ; backed as they have been, too, by the anxie- 

 ty of the Madras Government to promote the advancement 

 of these Hills as a sanatarium, evinced by their publishing 

 those reports : most strange, we repeat, that, with so much 

 to awaken curiosity and excite enquiry, the public, even of 

 Madras and Bombay, have seemingly lost sight of much 

 that has been promulgated, though so palpably conducive 

 to their benefit. Many have visited the spot, but few com- 

 paratively are acquainted with the existence of ^uoh sources 



