1 HISTORY OF THE SIKHS. 355
2 now have no difficulty in believing that their new
3 rulers are of a very different character from the
4 Sikhs, whom they detest and despise.
5 Every account agrees in describing the couhtry Detightfut
6 about Kangra as exceedingly beautiful and pic- Rating aioe
7 turesque ; and so must every place be within view ‘¢ Ms
8 of snow-clad hills; for it is associated in European
9 minds with the idea of a cool climate, so much
10 more congenial to northern constitutions than
11 the hot, sultry, sandy plains of India. There can
12 hardly be any feeling more delightful to the so-
13 journer in the east, than that produced by an ap-
14 proach to the mountains, where he once more
15 finds himself in possession of the full faculties of
16 mind and body; and views around him trees,
17 shrubs, plants, and gurgling brooks, which bring
18 vividly before him the scenes of his early years.
19 The European soldier is a callous being; and pro-
20 vided he gets his daily food and liquor, cares but
21 little in what climate he is placed, even though
22 his health becomes impaired, and he is eventually
23 rendered unfit for service. But the European
24 officers who have spent much of their time in the
25 plains, find in the climate of the hills an approach
26 to an equivalent to a trip to their native country.
27 While on this subject, it may not be out of place Proposed es-
28 to allude to the generous and praiseworthy en- for educating
29 F . the children”
30 deavours made by Major Lawrence, to establish a ot European
31 soldiers in the
32 school for the children of European soldiers in the hile.
33 hills) He has contributed largely to the funds
34 SOR, Fa ce: a a ee