SIC ELI GULLY 
81 
a few miles further the province of Bahar commences. The roads 
hitherto have been very indifferent ; in many places not sufficiently 
wide to let my palanquin pass without difficulty, and in most parts 
the inequality of surface was such as to render the motion un- 
pleasant, and to cause a considerable delay. This in a great degree 
is owing to the force of the torrents during the rains, which tear up 
all the bridges, and carry devastation through the whole country : 
a large allowance is made to the zemindar, for the re-erection of 
the bridges (made of wood covered with reeds), and the repair of 
the roads; but as no one is appointed to see that these are pro- 
perly executed, or indeed executed at all, he generally pockets the 
money, and most of the highways remain impassable. During the 
full power of the house of Timour, they made magnificent cause- 
ways from one end of their dominions to the other, and planted 
trees on the sides to shelter travellers from the sun ; a most useful 
plan, in a country where men are the chief instruments of convey- 
ance. Surely we ought to follow so good an example now that we 
are in tranquil possession of the same empire. But alas ! its sove- 
reigns are too apt to confine their views to a large investment, and 
an increase of dividend, and have usually opposed every plan for 
the improvement of the country, which has been brought forward 
by the different Governors General. Bungelows for the accommo- 
dation of travellers have been erected at proper distances, but as 
they are constructed only of mud and thatch, the neglect of two 
or three years would totally ruin them. I have the satisfaction 
of knowing that an order has been recently obtained for their repair 
and preservation. 
The bearers were in general very bad, a circumstance which I 
