480 Lieut. Kittoe's Journey through the Forests of Orissa. QJune, 



him daily. I felt the better pleased at having dismissed this worthy at 

 Deogurh, for he was more a hindrance than otherwise to my operations. 



Barsing has been a large place, but famine, misrule, and cholera have 

 reduced the number of inhabitants to one-half, so that many of the huts 

 are in ruins. The river flows under the village ; though its span here is 

 very great the water is shallow, and wends its way in small rills between 

 numerous rocks and islets which every where stretch across the bed ; 

 the banks are not more than eighteen or twenty feet high, and are sel- 

 dom overflowed, so that the river can never rise sufficiently to admit of 

 boats navigating it with safety ; this alone would be a sufficient reason 

 to seek for a more favorable spot for the road to pass, which might be 

 found five or six miles either above or below this point, where the banks 

 are steep and rocky, and the water confined to deep and narrow channels, 

 equally well adapted for ferries or suspension bridges ; the latter would, 

 for many reasons, be very desirable both on this and other rivers. 



I passed this day with more comfort than usual ; the hut I occupied 

 was under a cluster of noble mango and tamarind trees, and facing a 

 beautiful shady tope ; it was a paradise contrasted with what I had 

 hitherto met with ; I could not help reflecting on the truth of an 

 admirable saying of Demetrius, quoted by Addison in the chapter 

 treating of the Providence of God, that " nothing would be more un- 

 happy than a man who had never known affliction ;" — a truth deeply im- 

 pressed on my mind, to which I would add, a similar maxim which 

 called it to mind, "that he who has never experienced discomfort and 

 privation, cannot appreciate real comfort, or know the virtue of content- 

 ment." I cannot here refrain from acknowledging the consolation I felt, 

 and the hope of conquering all my difficulties, the frequent perusal of 

 the beautiful chapter above mentioned inspired me with during the 

 severe trials I had lately suffered ; many were the times when nearly 

 driven to distraction and despair, its perusal made me happy in my 

 misfortune. Reader, pardon this digression. To return to my narrative. 

 About 4 p. m. a very severe north-wester came on, followed by a very 

 heavy fall of rain and hail, which lasted until 6 p.m.; it cleared before 

 sunset, so that I was able to observe and sketch the features of the 

 country, but could not resume my march, for there was every indication 

 of bad weather. I began to feel uneasy at the prospect of the evil 

 effects of the rain, and I resolved passing the night here, and to push on 

 at all hazards at day-break. 



( To be continued. ) 



