296 KHASIA MOUNTAINS. Chap. XXIX. 



forges on all sides was singularly musical and pleasing ; they 

 fell on the ear like " bells upon the wind," each ring being 

 exquisitely melodious, and chiming harmoniously with the 

 others. The solitude and beauty of the scenery, and the 

 emotions excited by the music of chimes, tended to tran- 

 quillise our minds, wearied by the fatigues of travel, and 

 the excitement of pursuits that required unremitting atten- 

 tion ; and we rested for some time, our imaginations 

 wandering to far-distant scenes, brought vividly to our 

 minds by these familiar sounds. 



