192 Notes on the Military Stations and 



men of the European Regiment (which was sent to the province 

 to relieve the remnants of H. M's. 54th and 44th Regiments,) 

 fell victims to fever in this island, which might have been 

 expected to be as healthy as it is picturesque. It too contains 

 mud volcanoes, and displays several raised beaches. 



All the stations now occupied by Europeans, or as posts 

 for troops, lie within a space of about 140 miles, extending 

 from Akyab southwards to Sandoway. Still it may not be out 

 of place to quote here a short description of the old town of 

 Arracan, although it is farther north and beyond these limits, 

 and has long been abandoned by us owing to its excessive 

 unhealthiness. 



ie The town of Arracan lies on the banks of a muddy river, 



buried among the hills, at a distance of nearly 



Arracan Town. ° rf 



forty miles from the sea, and invested on 



every side with jungle and morass. The tide overflows the flat 

 borders of the river to a considerable extent : its reflux 

 converts them into a noisome swamp ; and in this swamp, 

 strange to say, great part of the town of Arracan is built : 

 the water flowing under the houses, which are raised on 

 posts after the fashion of the Burmese, Malays, and other 

 Eastern nations. The banks of the stream throughout the 

 town are low and covered with sedge, coarse grass, and a 

 few bushes, serving as a receptacle for filth of every descrip- 

 tion. About a quarter of a mile from the town of Arracan is 

 a large lake winding for several miles among the hills, full of 

 weeds, with low and marshy banks " 



In such a locality we do not wonder at the health of troops 

 suffering excessively in temporary barracks, although we shall 

 have an opportunity of seeing that troops encamped on an open 

 sandy plain, afterwards suffered in exactly the same way, and 

 if they had remained longer, would have suffered nearly in the 

 same degree. Yet the Oondyne stockade, situated only a 

 mile and a half from the centre of the fort of Arracan, appears 

 to have been still more unhealthy. It is thus described — 



