The Mahratta resident observes, that his hopes had been sometimes raised, but that several of whom he had once been sanguine, "had gone "back to their idol worship, not having found "religion profitable to their worldly interest." In regard to Serampore, the head-quarters of the mission, and where their labours had been con tinued assiduously for many years, the exact result is not stated. It is only mentioned as strongly impressing the conviction, that no extensive conversion can be hoped, without some previous tincture of general knowledge and instruction.

These observations seem to have led to the plan of establishing schools, from which perhaps much greater benefits may be expected, than from any other method which has been employed. Several of these appear to be on the same footing as those established by the Tranquebar missionaries, where the scholars are entirely maintained and provided for by the master. Of course, the parents from whom they are obtained must be poor, and somewhat indifferent as to the lot of their children; though it is to be hoped their apathy is seldom so entire as that of a father who brought two sons to a missionary at Columbo. On being asked if he wished them to be instructed in the Christian religion, he replied: "I have delivered them to you; you may sell "them, or kill them, or do what you like with

"them." Schools on a more liberal footing, and for higher classes, have been recently established at Calcutta. In these it is intended to make no demand of conversion, or even of any departure from the rules of cast. It is merely proposed to communicate instruction in the general principles of religion and morality, and the first elements of useful knowledge. It is imagined that even to correct their extravagant ideas on the subject of geography and history, may pave the way for sound views on other subjects. Hopes are expressed, that when they cease to consider Mount Meru as twenty thousand miles high, and the world as a flower, of which India is the cup, and other countries the leaves, their minds may become more open to rational views on the subject of religion. A knowledge of sacred, and even of profane history, may afford them the means of comprehending the evidences of our holy faith. If the seed is not sown, the ground at least is prepared for it. This measure is only in progress, nor is there yet time to estimate its effects; but we cannot help considering it as one, of all others, best calculated to improve the condition of our Indian subjects.

BOOK III.

TRAVELS IN THE COUNTRIES BORDERING ON

HINDOSTAN

CHAPTER I.

TRAVELS THROUGH THE HIMMALEH, and to THE SOURCES OF THE INDIAN RIVERS.

Various Opinions on the Source of the Ganges.-Hardwicke's Journey to Seringour.-Webb's Journey to the Source of the Ganges.-Moorcroft.-Height of the Himmaleh Mountains.

-Fraser.

No object in the structure of the earth has more strongly excited the curiosity of mankind, than the great rivers by which it is watered. Besides the place which they hold among the grand features of the globe, their very aspect powerfully impresses the imagination. This mighty tide, rolling on unaltered from age to age, amid all the revolutions of time and empire, must excite powerful emotions in the beholder. In particular, it cannot fail to carry back his

mind to the grandeur of those distant regions from which its course is derived. To trace a great river to its source, gratifies also that desire of complete knowledge which is deeply fixed in the human mind.

Of all the mighty rivers of Asia, none equals the fame of the Ganges. The magnificent plain which it waters, the lofty mountain barrier from which it descends, and the mysterious distance in which it was long involved, have given it a great name both in the ancient and modern worlds. Till very recently, however, various and erroneous views were entertained relative to its source. Ptolemy, indeed, who distinctly establishes the Imaus (Himmaleh), as the great northern barrier of India, makes the Ganges clearly flow from its southern side. As, however, he represents his plan of the upper part of its course as considerably truncated, it may be doubted whether he knew much of it prior to its descent into the plains of India. Pliny observes, that various opinions prevailed relative to its origin; some representing it to be as uncertain as that of the Nile; while others described it as rushing from its source with a mighty noise, and dashing through abrupt and rocky regions, till it reached the plain, when it flowed through a wide and even channel. It was only upon faint rumour, however, that he

gave this just description of the Ganges in its early career.

All the early modern geographers place the source of the Ganges greatly too far north, about the fortieth degree of latitude, which carries it into the very heart of Tartary. So far, however, as they give to India a northern boundary of mountains, they make the Ganges rise in the south of them; but they had no adequate idea of the extent and continuity of this great chain, More positive information was supposed to be obtained through the channel of the French missionaries at the court of China. The Lamas formerly alluded to as sent by the Emperor into Thibet, reported that the Ganges, like the Brahmapoutra, issued from the great lake of Mapang, (Mansarowar); that it then held a westerly, and even somewhat of a northerly course through Thibet, till, after passing Ladak, it turned to the south, and having flowed for a considerable space in that direction, entered India. This delineation, in the absence of any other, was accepted by D'Anville and Rennell, and passed into all the maps subsequently constructed. It was added from Tieffenthaller, that the Ganges rushed by a narrow channel through the Himmaleh, and, near Gangoutri, precipitated itself from a rock, which, on account of its form, was called the