LUCKNOW. 
167 
the occasion, that he determined to give two dinners, which com- 
prehended the whole European party at Lucknow; accordingly we 
this day dined with him, as did every body except the bachelor 
officers of the guard, who attended the next day. He was in 
excellent spirits, and the air being rather cool, we beheld the fire- 
works from the verandah over the river in great comfort. They 
had little merit, except the mortar rockets, which were beautiful. 
The water reflected the light, and added much to the effect. 
July 6. — The rains set in at Calcutta on the 2,d of June ; they 
usually reach this place about sixteen days afterwards, but hitherto 
there has been no appearance of them. On the 5 th of June we had a 
smaller tufaun; the dust had a perfect resemblance to an English 
fog. We have since had three very trifling ones, which for a time 
cooled the air. In the intermediate periods the heat was most op- 
pressive, and last night it was almost insupportable. 
July 9. — On the night of the 8th the rains set in, and con- 
tinued for a considerable part of the 9th; they fell very heavy at 
times with thunder and lightning, but neither violent ; the air was 
excessively damp. To-day the sky is perfectly clear, with a light 
breeze from the east. The temperature of the climate is similar to 
that of England in summer. The river, previously to the rains, 
was as low as ever ; it can therefore have no connection with the 
snows of the hills. 
July 18. — The season is to me pleasant. It is occasionally close, 
but the rains cool the air, and render it by no means oppressive. 
They do not fall in incessant torrents, as we experienced in passing 
the line ; but, generally, only in showers of an hour's continuance, 
and that most frequently in the night. I have suffered great inconve- 
