brooke. In general Mr Fraser was impressed with the belief, that the greatest peaks in this loftiest part of the Himmaleh varied from 18,000 to 22,000, or at most 23,000 feet. It is probable, however, he may not have made sufficient allowance for the high level of the perpetual snow noticed by Mr Webb. From the Bhagirath to the valley of Nepaul he considers the most elevated part of the range, the mountains to the east and west declining gradually in height.

THE central and loftiest part of this astonishing chain of mountains seems clearly to be that which gives rise on one side to the Ganges and its mighty tributaries, and on the other to the Indus, the Brahmapoutra, and the Sutledge. As it proceeds westward into Bootan, although snowy peaks are still interspersed, the openings become wider, and the general character of the barrier less formidable. Farther east, when continued under the names of Duleh, Landeh, and Ootrocole (probably the Ottarocoras of Ptolemy), although high and rugged, it is no longer characterized as snowy. Dr Hamilton entertains no doubt of its being the same which covers the Chinese province of Yunan, and thence extends across the empire as far as the ocean, forming the northern boundary of Quangsee and Quangtong, and causing the only interruption to the

navigable communication between Pekin and Canton. Although, however, this part of the range be also high, it ceases to bear comparison with the immense peaks of Himmaleh.

From its central point near the source of the Ganges, the chain proceeds in a north-westerly direction till it reaches the frontier of Cachemire. It then takes a direction due west, which, amid various windings, it follows pretty constantly for about nine degrees of longitude, till it reaches a lofty peak near Caubul, called Hindoo Coosh ; which name is pretty generally applied to all this part of the chain. It is also in our maps called Indian Caucasus, a name for which there seems little place, being derived solely from the ancient error above noticed. Hindoo Coosh yields little in magnitude to Himmaleh, and has its summits equally clothed in everlasting snow. Mr Macartney says, "I took the distance of some of the " most remarkable peaks by cross bearings with "the theodolite, and found, at the distance of "100 miles, the apparent altitude of some was "1° 30', which gives a perpendicular height of

66

20,493 feet; but of course this could not be

positively depended upon for so small an angle "and so great a distance." After passing Hindoo Coosh, the chain sensibly declines, and is covered with snow only during four months in the year. Opposite to Candahar, therefore, is

the usual point for the passage of great caravans and armies between India and Tartary. Our maps now use the ancient name of Parapomisus, formerly given from the name of the country through which it here passes. The ranges which traverse the Persian empire have not been fully traced; but this great central one of Asia forms probably a continuous line with the Elburz and others, which run along its northern frontier, and through them may connect itself with the mountains of Armenia, and even with the Euxine Caucasus, though this communication did not probably enter into the view of those who gave the name of Caucasus to the Indian mountains.

The limitary mountain ridge of India declines in the north into the high table land of Thibet; but immediately after it swells into another enormous chain, which, though it presents a less sensible rise from its lofty base, has been supposed even to exceed its neighbour in absolute elevation. To this the maps give the Turkish name of Mooz Taugh, though I was assured by Dr Hamilton that in India it is universally considered as only another branch of Himmaleh. I conceive it to be the Imaus conversus ad Arclos of Ptolemy, who particularly describes the peril and difficulty with which it was crossed by the Seric caravans. Precisely at the point indicated by him, a branch of it, under the name of Mount

Caillas, runs southwards, and locks in near Lake Mansarowara with the Indian Himmaleh. What may be its progress to the east and north-east seems quite unknown, though some great mountain structure seems there necessary to give rise to the mighty streams which water China and India beyond the Ganges.

CHAPTER II.

BRITISH EMBASSIES TO THIBET.

Bogle.-Turner.

WHEN the British forces, under the administration of Mr Hastings, carried their arms northwards to the mountain boundary of Hindostan, they came unexpectedly upon an enemy bearing no resemblance to any they had been accustomed to cope with on the plains. These warriors were clothed in furs, and armed with bows and arrows; their appearance was uncouth, their assault furious; and when their spoil, consisting of arms, clothes, utensils, and the images of their gods, were brought to Calcutta, these objects were all found to be decidedly Tartar. This was the people of Bootan, who, it seems, were on their part still more astonished when, instead of the timid and naked Hindoos flying before them at the first assault, they saw troops uniformly clothed and accoutred, moving in regular order, and pouring forth such deadly vollies of musketry and artillery. It was soon judged