HOOGLY. 71 
each other, so that we had every reason to hope we should proceed 
without difficuky from one residence to another, intending to travel 
always during the night and halt in the day, as the scenery in Bengal 
is uninteresting from the uniform flatness of the country. For each 
palanquin were required eight bearers, which formed a complete 
change; we had also three mussal or link boys, and three men to 
carry our luggage. A palanquin is too well known to need particu- 
lar description. Ours were fitted up with Venetian blinds, and pil 
lows for sleeping, and were long enough to allow of our lying in 
them at full length. Not one of the party could speak a word of the 
language : I think, therefore, we were bold at least in venturing to 
set forward on a journey of 800 miles without an interpreter. At 
half after seven in the evening, having taken leave of our friends, 
we partly undressed ourselves, and well wrapped up in bedgowns 
went to bed in our palanquins, and proceeded on our journey. 
The motion, though incessant, was by no means violent. I soon 
composed myself to rest, but was awakened by my bearers at the 
first changing-place asking for buxys, or presents : I gave them, as 
is now pretty customary, a rupee for each palanquin ; and finding 
myself cold, though every window was shut, added a shawl to my 
covering. I was soon so perfectly reconciled to my lodging, that 
nothing but the application for buxys awakened me. 
February — At early morning I found myself on the banks 
of the Cossimbuzar river, about eight miles from its junction 
with the Jellinghy. It was here but a very trifling stream, though 
the great height of the banks showed how different must be its state 
in the rainy season. I quitted my palanquin and walked for a short 
distance to refresh myself with the morning air, which was plea- 
