80 
SICELIGULL Y. 
ancient magnificence remain. The country was here more pleasing 
than usual. On the right was the noble Ganges; on the left some 
moderate hills covered with jungles, over which the Borassus flabel- 
liformis and the Phoenix dactylifera raised their heads prbudly 
pre-eminent, and the Bombax ceiba and Butea frondosa protruded 
their scarlet bloom, without a leaf to conceal it. In front were the 
mountains, to me a most engaging sight, after the level horizon 
which had for so many months wearied my eyes. For four hours 
I travelled over the plain, between the hills and the river. It was 
almost entirely covered with wheat and barley, excepting where 
the mango topes, planted in regular squares, perfumed the air with 
their bloom, and afforded a shade to the people tending their fields. 
About twelve I arrived at Siceligully, having for the last hour 
travelled through a complete jungle, where the Butea frondosa 
predominated. This is one of the villages formed in the wilds by 
the wisdom of government, in granting lands to the sepoy invalids, 
on condition of their residence and cultivation. Fortunately for 
me, Captain Wilton was there at the time, being on his tour to 
visit the different stations; he received me politely at a bungelow 
erected on an eminence close to the river. The spot is most beauti- 
ful : the river here making a rapid turn to the S. E. after having 
for three hundred miles been obliged to run nearly east, gives an 
extensive view both upwards and downwards. The bank is well 
wooded, and the blue mountains at a distance serve to complete 
the landscape : a small hill is close to the habitation, and on the 
summit are the ruins of a Mahomedan burying-place. From this 
point Mr. Salt has taken one of his larger views. 
This was the last halt I was to make in the province of Bengal : 
