Jan. 1848. INTRODUCTION OF THE TEA-PLANT. 5 



The Indian government, itself, has already profited largely 

 by these gardens, directly and indirectly, and might have 

 done so still more, had its efforts been better seconded 

 either by the European or native population of the country. 

 Amongst its greatest triumphs may be considered the 

 introduction of the tea-plant from China, a fact I allude to, 

 as manv of my English readers mav not be aware that the 

 establishment of the tea-trade in the Himalaya and Assam 

 is almost entirely the work of the superintendents of the 

 gardens of Calcutta and Seharunpore. 



From no one did I receive more kindness than from Sir 

 James Colvile, President of the Asiatic Society, who not 

 only took care that I should be provided with every 

 comfort, but presented me with a completely equipped 

 palkee, which, for strength and excellence of construction, 

 Avas everything that a traveller could desire. Often en 

 route did I mentally thank him when I saw other palkees 

 breaking down, and travellers bewailing the loss of those 

 forgotten necessaries, with which his kind attention had 

 furnished me. 



I left Calcutta to join Mr. AYilliams' camp on the 28th 

 of January, driving to Hoogly on the river of that name, 

 and thence following the grand trunk-road westward 

 towards Burdwan. The novelty of palkee-travelling at 

 first renders it pleasant ; the neatness with which every 

 thing is packed, the good-humour of the bearers, their 

 merry pace, and the many more comforts enjoyed than 

 could be expected in a conveyance Iiorsed by men, the 

 warmth when the sliding doors are shut, and the breeze 

 when they are open, are all fully appreciated on first 



orders and expense of the Indian government, are at home, and thrown upon their 

 own resources, or the assistance of their scientific brethren, for the means of 

 publishing and distributing the fruits of their labours. 



