B 0 O T A N. 
135 
of them pointed towards the east, on which side art could not possibly 
have rendered them more bare; but on the other side, the branches 
grew with great vigour, and were full of luxuriant foliage. This curious 
effect resulted from the peculiar conformation of the hills, which throws 
a constant current of wind with great fury across that corner. A per¬ 
petual hurricane seems to prevail at Wandipore. This character of 
the situation, would have forced itself upon our notice, had we been 
less particular in our observations, in consequence of the utter want 
of shutters, or any other provision made to exclude it from our apart¬ 
ments. To supply this capital defect, we barricaded the windows and 
balconies of our house, with coarse mats; yet it was with difficuly we 
could keep a candle burning. The wind still whistled rudely through 
our matted fence, and, aided by the roaring of the rapid river below, 
rivalled in noise, the uproar and turbulence of a wind or watermill, 
when going in full force.. 
The Raja, perceiving that his business was likely to detain him 
longer than he had foreseen, and that, in consequence, he should be 
obliged to drop his design of visiting Punukka, with evident solicitude 
for our entertainment, proposed to us to go alone. We joyfully dosed 
with the offer. It would have been acceptable, had we considered it 
as affording an escape from the multiplied evils of our present uncom¬ 
fortable quarters ; but it was particularly so to me, as being, at the 
same time, the most pleasing testimony of the Raja’s having totally 
thrown aside that jealousy and distrust, which we had been taught 
invariably to expect. As another instance of his liberal conhdence, 
supposing that I might not have been prepared for so long an absence, 
