1844.] 



Effects of the Famine of 1833. 



189 



The sum of the loss of revenue up to 1842 is nearly 66 laca 

 of Rupees. At the rate of progress hitherto made, it is not 

 to be expected that the District will pay what it did in 1831 

 for 15 years to come, and the difference during this period 

 will average 3 lacs per annum, and will amount to 45 lacs 

 more. The past and prospective loss in the value of pro- 

 duce, the share of the cultivators and people, cannot be esti- 

 mated at less than 80 lacs. The value of the cattle that 

 perished was more than 20 lacs, and the loss by the decrease 

 in the exportation of bullocks may be 10 lacs more. On the 

 whole it appears that, altogether independent of the misery 

 that would have been so averted if any human means could 

 have prevented the famine, it would have been worth while 

 to sp'end two hundred and twenty one lacs of Rupees in doing 

 so. I will not pretend to decide how much it is worth while 

 to lay out in attempting to prevent the recurrence of such 

 misfortune. But that a great deal may be done for a sum 

 comparatively insignificant is not a matter of doubt. Let us 

 pray with the people of those famished Districts that before 

 long it may be matter of history. 



The Guntoor District is from North to South about 80 

 miles in extreme length and E. to W. about 116 miles. Its 

 area is about 4700 square miles, and with a population of 

 five lacs there would be about 106 souls to a square mile, 

 which is a little more than the average of the Presidency. 

 On a rough estimate, we may take one-fourth of the country 

 as occupied by hill and jungle, one-fourth by sand and barren 

 ground. Three-eighths are fertile cotton soil, wanting only 

 rain and labour to produce enormous crops of dry grains, es- 

 pecially cholum or jonna (holcus sorghum.) The remaining 



Greater than the charity of relieving will be the charity of preventing, and 

 far more effectual. What the best means of prevention are it is not easy to 

 determine, but it is useless to waste time in discussion— wiser by far to resort 

 at once to such means as are obvious, — and when better plans are suggested 

 to adopt them also. 



