PREFACE BY THE AUTHOR 



TO THE MEST EDITION. 



The object of the Author of the following pages has 

 been, by a simple statement of facts, to attract atten- 

 tion to a circumstance of which, he has reason to be^ 

 lieve, a great majority of the Indian public is not 

 aware ; namely, the existence of an elevated tract of 

 country, with a climate completely European, situated 

 within the heart of our own dominions in Southern In- 

 dia, and accessible from almost every part of the three 

 presidencies. In pointing out the advantages to be de- 

 rived from a judicious use of the climate of the Neil- 

 gherries,* both in the cure and prevention of Indian 

 diseases, he has taken experience for his guide, resting 

 nothing on theory, and enabling his readers to judge for 

 themselves as to the justice of the conclusions he has 

 drawn. 



The author feels assured that he has nothing to fear 

 from the criticism of a candid and enlightened public 



* Properly Nilgiris, from the Hindee words Nil, (blue,) and 

 Giri, (a mountain.) The usual effect of the atmosphere being to 

 invest distant hills with a blue tint. 



