316 
Visit to the Sic cim Mountains, 
[April 
In the cold season it appears then that the temperature would sink below the 
freezing point. Snow might then be expected to fall); and this agrees with the ex* 
perience of Captain Lloyd, w ho visited the spot in 1827, and found snow in the 
neighbourhood even in February. We did not observe any snow even on heights 
of 10,000 feet ; but it is to be considered that there is a great difference even at 
home in different years, and the present year began here with an unusually mild 
winter 3 . Though we saw no snow lying, except on the very elevated ranges in the 
neighbourhood of the Himalaya, yet we saw it falling on a neighbouring ridge, 
not much higher than Darjiling; and indeed from the temperature observed attne 
latter place, 39°, it is evident that a very trifling fall in the thermometer would have 
brought snow. 
Hut it is not so much the mere temperature of a mountain station, (though that 
is a great point,) that renders it so delightful a retreat to the debilitated European, 
v ho for twenty years or more has suffered under the fervors of an Indian sun. 
There is a lightness and a buoyancy in the air, or rather in our spirits, in mountain 
regions, that to him who has doled away years in the apathetic indolence, inevita- 
bly induced by the climate of the plains, and particularly of Calcutta, feels like tak- 
ing a new lease of life, or rather like passing into a new and superior state of existence. 
Instead of that listlessness in which we of the city of palaces pass our lives, apparently 
insensible even to extraordinary stimuli ; the dweller in the mountains feels an 
energy and vigour, a power of exertion and a freshness of feeling, which is not 
found in the plains even in countries sufficiently cold. This exhilarating effect of 
the mountain breeze has been often noticed, but never, that 1 am aware of) satisfac- 
torily accounted for. Perhaps it is the purity of the air,— perhaps the greater drv- 
ness, owing to increased evaporation, — perhaps neither the one nor the other. That 
it is not the lightness ol the air, seems pretty clear from a well known fact, that our 
spirits every where rise with the barometer, i. e. as the air becomes heavier. But 
whatever be the cause, the fact is certain, and 1 appeal to those who, after suffering 
f i o iu the heat of the plains, have escaped to our northern sanctuaries, Semla or 
Landaur, whether they did not feel renovated in mind and body by the transition. 
It is alone in mountainous countries that we experience that delightful sensation 
which renders mere passive existence a high enjoyment. 
I hat the advantages of a residence at Darjiling will be equally great as at the 
northern stations of Semla, Landaur, or Almdrah, can admit, I imagine, of no 
doubt. The elevation being witlun less than 300 feet of the former, must give it a 
temperature at all times within 1 ° of Semla. The latitude is certainly lower bv 3 a 
but it is very doubtful whether the difference in geographical position would amount 
to so much as the former. Jo which is to be added, that Semla, bavin* a southern 
aspect, with nothing to defend it irom the heated winds of the plains would nrXhk 
noticed^ by E ' W ’ But'Eta 
climate of the place. For the rising fogs and' exhaSsof 'the” ^ain.^mie dfec^ 
ed in their progress northward by the cold air which . 1-1 , tuecK 
mit of this mountain, while the winds will be turned off - sothariOl' 05 ' 1 u” 1 10 t S , Um * 
deleterious in the air of the country at the foot of the h ill, T f f be a " V 
as far as Darjiling is concerned ; being in fact ^ be f 
skreen afforded by this range*. The efficacy of a mountain 
year at Semla ; hut this^s no^th™<S quantity every 
ed of by the following two facts. In the year 1815 snow ^ Bars ije J ud ?' 
feet, and at Kalsi2500, and lav deen also on tl,!. n , 1 at Naha « elevated 300 0 
Debra Doon to the south (2000 to 3500 ) l u 2 8i g V t V ,lldstone raR ffe that bounds the 
tions of 9000 feet. V ' XU 1My 1 ere was lio snow fell on eleva- 
* 1 his consideration involves a most serious ohierf inn 
tain station in the vicinity of Calcutta; 1 mean ‘tint -.i xi i? /J 1 ® 001 / other moun- 
An extensive tract of low marshy ground whh auI ’ ln Casia bills, 
borders that table land to the north a"nd to the west wtu ! st kind of jungle, 
that quarter it must bring with it malarious exlnht;A» - ei i ! ie ^ ind proceeds from 
tab y occasions the place to be less healthy tlmnW \ ar ? d that i* does so aa d inevi- 
