1830.1 
Vklt to the Sicchn Mountains. 
117 
is acknowledged; and were it doubtful, the case of tlie great Himalaya chain would 
show it most powerfully in the fact, that there is no rainy season to the north of 
that great belt of elevated land. And 1 feel disposed to believe, that this great range 
of Sinchul must have something of a proportionate effect on the tract to the north of 
it, and the rainy season would be much less violent than at Setula and at Landour, 
open to the full blast of the great congregation of vapours swept from the plains. 
And even supposing the question of malarious exhalations to be worth nothing, it 
would still he certain that Darjiling would have the advantage of those places as a 
residence in the rainy season, at which time they are exceedingly dreary. 
The relative temperatures of these several stations is best learned by comparing 
their elevations, a very trifling allowance being due to those in the north-western 
mountains, as before remarked, for their higher latitude 6 , and perhaps to Darjiling 
for its northern aspect. Keeping in mind that 300 feet in elevation is equivalent 
to 1° of temperature, we may by a glance at the following table, obtain a perfect 
idea of the differences of these places, with reference to temperature. We may see 
by it that Semla is nearly 1° colder than D&vjfling ; Landaur, or rather Masdri, 2® 
hotter ; and Aim 6 rah 6* hotter. 
Semla. 
Darjiling. 
Masuri 5 . 
Almdrah. 
7436 
7218 
6500 
5520 
As a locality for a Sanatarium, Darjiling has then many claims on our notice. 
Temperate climate, a sufficiency of level ground, a sufficiency of water, in which it 
has the advantage of Semla and Landaur, and of building materials, as far, at least, 
as stone and timber are concerned. In the deficiency of limestone it is no worse 
than were Semla and Alm6ra when first established. And that a little careful re- 
search will succeed as it did at those places, in detecting the mineral at no great dis- 
tance, appears to me very probable, from the fact of the grey-wacke formation (with 
which the limestone is associated) being found in the vicinity. That we did not dis- 
cover it, is not even a presumption against its existence, for we had not the means 
to do justice to the enquiry, being obliged to hurry through the country as fast as 
we could, and prevented going off’ the particular line of route we had chosen to fol- 
low. In the article of rides and walks Darjiling offers great advantages. Connected 
with a lofty range, which throws out its ramifications in every direction, a level road 
of any desirable extent may be cut with little trouble. *\nd though the immediate 
spot itself be inferior in romantic beauty to Semla or Landaur, it has many beauti- 
ful places in its vicinity. The forest scenery on the Gardau-kattar range is very 
magnificent, and the descent to Gifig, which is on the same ridge with Darjiling, is 
a very picturesque ride. No place can boast of a more extensive view of the snowy 
range, if only on account of the peculiarity of the position, as will be evident by con- 
sidering _fhe description before given. Accordingly nearly a third of the horizon is 
occupied with these lofty pinnacles, some of which are considered, and not without 
reason, amongst the most elevated points of this stupendous chain. 
The ground is sufficiently cleared to allow of building being immediately com- 
menced on, little more being requisite than burning down some jungle grass that 
lias grown up rather luxuriantly. But in the construction of a road to the place, 
some assistance would be required from the people of the country ; the present 
road, as I have already stated, being utterly useless as a means of convenient or 
even regular communication. The line which appeared, as far as we could see, 
eligible, is the greater part of it through thick forest, the clearing of which would 
be the principal part of the work. In effecting this object, the co-operation of the 
people of the country would be very useful. They are a hardy and athletic race, 
and would he glad to join us if permitted. 
They are at present living within the Gurka territory, whither they fled to avoid 
the tyranny and oppression of the Raja of their country. But they are not satislied 
with their position. The Gfirkas being rigid Hindus, they find themselves subject 
to various disagreeable prohibitions, and are made to feel, in fact, that they are what 
the knavish brahmin calls outcasts. Free from every sort of injurious prejudice 
and absurd restriction themselves, they cannot bn* feel the yoke of a higotted and 
superstitious race, who seem imbued with all the worst spirit ol the Hindu system. 
6 Darjiling is in 27°, Almorah in 29°- 30', Landaur in 30° 20', and Semla in 30® 40'. 
* I cannot refer to the elevation of Landaur; hut it is, if any, very little above that of 
Masuri, 
