Page:Younghusband - Kashmir.pdf/59

 SUMMER 81

and the fields of glowing yellow mustard and young blue linseed gave a relieving touch of colour. All the valley was dotted over with hamlets half- hidden in clumps of willow and over-towering chenar trees. The recent floods gave a lake-like appearance to the middle distance. On the right the temple on the 'Takht-i-Suliman formed a grace- ful feature in the scene ; and from there completely round the semicircle to the distant left stretched the dreamy snowy mouutains, hazy immediately under the sun, but white and distinet when the evening sun struck full upon them. A more fitting site for the worship of God, man could hardly select.

In full summer the Kashmir valley is, perhaps, ‘in its least interesting condition. ‘The snow has nearly melted from the mountains. They are often hidden by hegt-haze or dust. The fruit blossoms are all over. The yellow mustard and the blue linseed in the fields have gone to seed. ‘The green of the trees has lost its freshness; and the prevail- ing tones are heayy greens and browns. ‘The weather too is sultry. The thermometer rises to 95° or 97° in the shade. A heavy, lethargic feeling oppresses one. Mosquitoes appear in swarms.