1 SOUTH-WEST MONSOON. Ig7
2 Bcnofd^. DnringaUthii tune the distal
3 nU, andiBonljailoioed by Mmie meaierpeilfiHiicli bunts on the ear
4 with such a sudden and tremendous crash as csn scwcely &0 to strike
5 the most it) sensible heart with awe*. At length the thunder ceases*
6 and nothing is heard but 4he oontinned pouring <^ the zsan, and the
7 rushing of the rising streams. The next day presents a j^oomy q^ecv
8 tacle : the rain still descends in tonent8» and scarcely allows a view
9 the bkudcened fields : the rivers are swoln and discoloured* and
10 sweep down along with them the hedges, the huts, and the remains
11 of the cuhOTatikn which was carried on, during the dry seasout in
12 tlieir beds.
13 This lasts for somr da vs, after which the sky clears, and discovers
14 the tact (»f nature clianged as if by enchantment. Before the "^torm
15 the fields were pardied up. and except in the beds of the rivers,
16 scarce a blade of vegetatiuu was to be seen : the clearae«s of the sky
17 was not interrupted by a single cloud, but the atmosphere was loaded
18 with dust, which was sufficient to render distaui objects dim, as in a
19 mist, and to make the suu appear dull and discoloured, till he at-
20 tained a considerable elevation : a parching wind blew like a blast
21 from a furnace, and heated wood, iron, andevery other scdid material,
22 •ven in the shade } and immediately belbre the monsoon, tins, wind
23 had been snooeeded by still more sultry calms. But when the first
24 violeooeofthe storm is over, the whole earth is covered with asudden
25 but hizuriaiit.vefdure : the rivers are full and tranquil: the airis pure
26 and delidoas} and the sky is varied and embellished with douds;
27 The effiict of the change is visible on aD the anhnal creation, and can
28 only be imagined in Europe by anpposing the depth of a dieaiy wio-t
29 • To pcrnon* wlio linvo long resided in India, these storms lose much of their
30 grandeur, yet they sometunes rise to such a pitch, at to make an impreasion on those
31 BUMt habitnatedto them. I hAvebten told byagentleiiianiriiolMdbeenibrwiiietiite
32 Mal&biir, the pro\nnc€ tiK -^t distinguiiihed for the violence of the monsoon, that he there,
33 beard a clap of thtin<ler which prnrl-iced a sil< iice of nuniltS in a laig^ pWlgr of offioen,
34 and made a great part of the compaoy torn pale.