Narrative of a Journey from Caunpoor to the Boorendo Pass, in the Himalaya Mountains Via Gwalior, Agra, Delhi, and Sirhind Volume N . 1 (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1840 Excerpt: ...looked at it with that indifference which is so peculiar a mark of the Hindoo character. Wartoo, like Jukkoo, is one of the lofty stations which was selected by Captain Hodgson and Lieutenant Herbert for prosecuting their great Trigonometrical operations, in order to determine "Corylus extends from Cashmere to Kemaon, and is found in shady forests on the shoulders of such mountains as Choor and Kedarkanta; with the same species, C. lacera, on all."--Ibid. p. 343. the heights of the snowy peaks of the Himalayan Chain. The Fort is now in ruins, but it was formerly occupied by the Goorkas. It is 1600 feet above Naugkunda. Thermometer, lowest 41 highest 57 Fahrenheit. 14th May, Wartoo.--Yesterday evening there was a thunder-storm accompanied with hail. It was fearfully sublime. The huge clouds girdled with lightning rolled amongst the mountains, and the thunder burst so frequently, that it seemed almost to crack the firmament, while the wind hurried whistling through the gloomy woods. The vapoury masses then lowered into the valleys beneath, and hid them from us, and the snowy Himalaya was all that we saw. Between was a surging ocean of clouds, through which rugged peaks arose, like enormous breakers. As the tempest passed, height after height towered majestically, glowing with the crimson sun-flood of the evening, and threw their large purpled shadows far and wide upon the dispersing clouds, and the dismembered ridges which peered above them. All became at last distinct, and the air was still. During the night it again rained, and the wind was heavy, but it cleared up before daybreak. The summit of Wartoo is covered with charming woods, and a sward diapered with the most beautiful flowers. It were impossible to be fatigued by wandering here. On all s...