1838.] Topographical Report on the Neilgherries. 



115 



is to be had to Porcaud from Chowghaut by the back water, which ex- 

 tends all along the coast from the latter place to Quilon and Trevan- 

 dium. It is the only point (except Goa) between Bombay and Cape 

 Comorin, which can be approached with safety in the south-west 

 monsoon. Porcaud is in 9-20 N. Lat., and Babelmandel in 12-38 N. 

 L. 5 the former is consequen:ly 3 degrees L8 miles to the south of the 

 latter, and in the south-west moonsoon favourably placed for making a 

 voyage to the Red Sea, the entrance to which is 2875 miles to the west 

 of it — twelve days sailing at the rate often miles an hour, or fourteen 

 days and a half at eight miles per hour. In returning it would he 

 necessary to proceed ta the south, near the line, in the south-west 

 monsoon ; but, dui'ing the north-east monsoon, the wind would be fair. 

 This pla^i offers the most feasible prospect of success to the M'idras 

 presidency, in any attempt to establish an independent communication 

 with the Red Sea for itself ; because the quantity of fuel, required far the 

 voyage fron Porcaud to Babelm'indel, would not be, double the necessa- 

 ry supply to reach Cape Comorin alone, if the vessel started from 

 Madras. In the absence of mineral c@al a^^ubstitute might be m, j,de of 

 charcoal and oil with cow-dung and clay, all of which are to be had 

 abundantly in the woody tracts of Travancore. A composition of the 

 foregoing is capable of producing and maintaining an intense heat. 

 The inland communication with Madras would also, in a commercial 

 point of view, be of immense importance, when it is considered that 

 the carriage of a single cart-load of goods two hundred miles, costs as 

 much as the freight of the same quantity taken to England on board a 

 ship. Travellers could reach the foot of the hills from Madras in cover- 

 ed carriages, moved by steam, in 48 hours, including all stoppages, and 

 in four, or even three days, the steamer stationed at Porcaud. Steam 

 carriages for common roads can be easily brought from England, and 

 their power of progression proved to ocular demonstration on the Mount 

 Road at Madras, Roads equally good can be made elsewhere, even 

 through cotton ground, by digging into the substratum, and taking up 

 the white soil which is found below the surface (probably feldspathic 

 clay), which being laid on the line of road a foot thick, makes a firm 

 mass, able to bear any weight that may be passed over it. Such I am 

 informed is the case in Coimbatore, and 1 suppose could be adopted 

 elsewhere, and roads thus made on a soil usually the most troublesome 

 from its friability in dry weather, [and softness in wet weather, to be 

 the very best for expedition, owing to its general level character. — 

 In a military point of view this rapidity of intercourse is the very key 

 of security, as it enables the ruling authorities to work out the great 

 maxim of Napoleon that " the art of war consists in bringing the 

 g i'eatest force on any given point.'* 



