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with the creation, and the eternal froft with which they are encrufted appears to preclude the poffibility of mortals ever attaining their fummit.

In viewing this grand fpectacle of nature, the traveller may eafily yield his affent to, and pardon, the fuperftitious veneration of the Hindoo votary who, in the fervour of his imagination, affigns the fummit of these icy regions as the abode of the great Mahadeo, or First Caufe; where, seated on his throne of ice, he is fuppofed to receive the homage of the furrounding universe.

Hurdwar is a place of great fanctity, and rendered memorable for the pilgrimages made thither from a remote antiquity.

About the latter end of March, and beginning of April, the pilgrims from Punjab, Guzurat, and the lowest points of Bengal, affemble in prodigious numbers.

In 1794, not lefs than an hundred and fifty thousand perfons were affembled, though four

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teen days were still remaining before the pilgrimage would be completed.

Brima and Bifhun, or the creating and preserving powers, are the principal objects of worship at Hurdwar. The temple, fituate at the foot of the mountain, is called Brimhakood, or the reservoir of Brimha, Hither the pilgrims refort, and after purifying themselves in the Ganges, they cut off their hair and fhave themselves. Those who die during the pilgrimage, are burnt on the banks of the Ganges, and their afhes thrown into the river.

The pilgrimage to Hurdwar is efteemed of fuch confequence, as to be equivalent to that of Cafi (Benares), Puraug (Allahabad), or Chillumbrum, in the Carnatic; and a devotee who has vifited this place may be excused from going to any other the remainder of his days. This pilgrimage never fails to benefit the inhabitants of Hurdwar and the neighbouring villages; as out of the great number who refort there at the annual period, all persons are obliged to pay a duftoor, or tax, to the bra

mins and chokeydars of the villages. This amounts to a large fum.

Exclufive of the profits before stated, the Mahrattas receive a tax upon horfes and camels coming to the fair; the former paying eight annas per head, and the latter fix annas; one half of this impoft is levied at the village Joalahpore, and the remainder at the Hurdwar. Hackerys, or wheel-carriages, pay a tax of eight annas, and the covered doolies for the women two annas. There is likewife a refoom (custom) upon the fale of horfes and camels, on the former ten per cent. and the latter eight, which is paid equally between the vendor and purchaser. Another mode by which the inhabitants enrich themselves is, by raising the price of grain and articles of provision, though upon the balance this is not much against the visitors; who, bringing along with them the production of their respective countries, difpofe of their goods to advantage at Hurdwar.

Hence this pilgrimage has been 'converted into a great fair, where all forts of merchan

dize from various parts of Hindoftan are fold.

To Hurdwar are brought horfes, camels, mules, cloths from the Punjab, fhawls, fruit, faffron, mufk, Cafhmerian wool, brafs, and tutinague; cherrufs, an intoxicating drug, which bears an exceffive price in Bengal; fire-arms from Lahore, and excellent Perfian fcimitars. These feveral articles are bought, exchanged, and fold; and, from the affemblage of people compofed of fo many different nations, the place resembles a grand commercial emporium added to this, those rajahs and petty chiefs, who visit Hurdwar from religious motives, being attended by their troops, and their respective fuites, contribute to accumulate the general mass, so that all is hurry, bustle, noise, and confusion.

But to return to our narrative after this digreffion. The Mahratta chief afore-mentioned, having inftigated the Ghoffeins to attack Mr. Thomas in his camp, to encourage them, offered as a reward for their fervices, the fum of ten thousand rupees. Thefe particulars were

communicated to Mr. Thomas by his own vakeel, then refident with Appa. Incensed at the indignity offered him by a conduct fo treacherous, he marched against the Ghoffeins, whom he attacked and defeated with great lofs to them, and to himself but trifling. After the encounter, they fled towards Delhi; and not thinking themselves fafe there, continued to retreat until they had crossed the Jumna.

On the retreat of the Ghoffeins, Mr. Thomas expoftulated with Appa on the treachery of his conduct. He told him that the late tranfaction was fo fhameful, that he could no longer remain in his fervice. Mr. Thomas particularly expatiated on the treatment sustained by a Mr. Taylor: whom, after unjustly depriving of his command, Appa had confined in the fort of Goalier, under the pretext of extorting money; till finding the man was not either to be daunted by threats, or cajoled by promises, he had at length given him his liberty. Such," faid Mr. Thomas with indignation, "has been the fate of all who have ferved you with fidelity."

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