ALLAHABAD. 
It is, at any rate, of very great antiquity, and is one of the holy 
bathing places. Many Brahmins and Faquirs, with their flags stuck 
in the sand, were performing their ablutions underneath the fort, 
on the Ganges side. 
The Ganges is far from being visibly increased in size or rapidity 
by the tribute of so large a river as the Jumna. The banks are more 
lofty, and the bends more frequent. We were obliged to be tracked 
along the sand banks on the windward side of the river, to avoid 
being driven on a lee-shore; neither could we, with all our exer- 
tions, make more than ten coss by sun set. 
September 10. — After a night uncommonly sultry, we set off at 
four with a brisk breeze at S, W. My boleah, which had passed down 
the Goomty from Lucknow, here joined us with my baggage. At 
twelve we entered the singular reach where the river runs N. W. 
nearly doubling back its former course. It is now more west than 
marked in Rennell's map. In two hours we got to the end, formed 
by a lofty bank, the base of which is conchar,* that resists the whole 
force of the river, unless when it rises very high, on which occa- 
sions it has carried off the upper strata of clay and sand, and sub- 
verted a part of the village situated on the summit. The rocks 
extend some distance into the river, and render the navigation 
dangerous. After the sharp turn to the right, the river resumes its 
northerly course for about four miles. A very high flood would, I 
think, carry away the village and all underneath it to the conchar ; 
but that will require years to remove. If it should ever take place, 
it would be a prodigious advantage to the navigation, as I have 
not perceived a more dangerous spot. We slept about thirteen 
* A species of lime-stone. 
