Page:McCosh, John - Advice to Officers in India (1856).djvu/93



1. CLIMATE AND SEASONS.—This is a very extensive subject to handle; and from the immense extent of the Bengal presidency alone, no one description would be applicable to all its parts. I shall, therefore, dwell more particulary upon its four grand divisions,—Bengal (proper), the North-Western Provinces, the Punjaub, and Burmah.

Much difference of opinion exists respecting the climate of the lower and the upper provinces. This most probably arises from some idiosyncracy, rendering a sojourn in the one or the other prejudicial to health. One man may enjoy better health in the one than the other, and vice versá. If I could command a choice I should prefer Bengal in the summer season, and the north-western provinces in the winter. Bengal is less debilitating in summer, but less invigorating in winter. Those who have resided long in the upper provinces are strongly prepossessed in their favour, and on visiting Calutta, their robust persons and ruddy countenances contrast strongly