PREFACE BY THE EDITOR 



TO THE EIEST EDITION. 



The conflicting accounts whicli the Editor received 

 from persons to whom he addressed himself for informa- 

 tioHj when he was projecting a visit from Madras to the 

 Neilgherries, with respect to the difficulties of the ap- 

 proaches to them^ and in regard to the accommodation 

 afforded to visitors, and the number of servants and 

 other necessaries requisite for a temporary residence at 

 Ootacamundj suggested to him the idea of soliciting the 

 author of the following sheets to compile an account of 

 the Hills, and to embody in it statements in reference 

 to the points in question, on the accuracy of which com- 

 plete reliance might be placed. 



That gentleman, he was satisfied, was the person best 

 qualified, both from long experience and from being 

 possessed of every species of information respecting the 

 Hills, to draw up such an account of them as would be 

 practically useful j and he feels assured that the work 

 which, in compliance with his suggestion, has been pro- 

 duced, will not only prove a valuable guide to those who 

 may resort to them in pursuit of health, but will be 

 B 2 



