Page:Views in India, chiefly among the Himalaya Mountains.djvu/17

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In clear weather, the most lofty of these mountains in the direction of Catmandoo in Nepaul, may be seen from Patna, at the distance of 160 geographical miles; while in some places, Purneah and Rejmhal, for instance, they are visible at a still more extraordinary distance, 232 English miles; a circumstance which, according to the calculation of Mr. Colebrooke, establishes their height to be at least 28,000 feet, since nothing less would render them barely discernible at that distance in the mean state of the atmosphere; although under circumstances of extraordinary refraction, a lower altitude would produce the same effect.

In consequence of their vast extent and the various difficulties, partly arising from the nature of the country, and partly from the unwillingness to admit strangers within their territories, manifested by the Ghoorka and Chinese governments, a very considerable portion of the Himalaya remains unexplored: our acquaintance, however, with this interesting country is improving every day. In addition to the numerous scientific travellers anxious to add to the stock of information already gathered by the indefatigable researches of Messrs. Colebrooke, Fraser, Webb, Raper, Hodson, Herbert, the Gerards, and Royle, hosts of idlers from the plains are continually ranging through the most accessible places, or extending their wanderings to others less known. The journals, notes, diaries, private letters, and conversation of these gentlemen, have contributed many very interesting particulars relative to the scenery, geology, &c.; and in the course of a few years we may hope, through these sources, to acquire a very correct idea of the whole of this splendid region.

We have at present an extremely limited acquaintance with the passes which intersect the snowy mountains, and conduct the traveller from one to the other: those that are known, always lead over the lowest parts of the range, at an elevation varying from 15 to 16,000 feet; between steep ascents, several thousand feet higher. The European traveller is best acquainted with the Shatool or Rol passes, near the course of the Sutlej, and the Gonass, and Bruang passes, the last named near the Paber. The former are very difficult, many travellers intending to cross, having been prevented by the bitterness of the cold, and the numerous obstacles opposing themselves to farther progress. The Shattool pass is nearly equal in height to the summit of Mont Blanc, being about 15,400 feet above the level of the sea. It is flanked by an inaccessible peak two thousand feet higher; and though the entrance to the pass is by a very gradual ascent, it becomes exceedingly abrupt and difficult of access when approaching its greatest altitude. In descending, the natives wrap a blanket tightly round them, and slide down in a sitting posture thirty or forty feet at a time; and some English gentlemen, improving on this