kable memorial of his greatness, and is
the chief ornament of the city. The people are deservedly proud of this
its distinguishing mark, for, except as minarets, single columns are
unknown in India, and in this respect their mountain capital can boldly
challenge a comparison with the proudest city of the plains. The
monument resembles in shape a portable telescope fully drawn out, and
rears its head to a height of nearly 200 feet above the surrounding
houses. The Minister Sahib contended that it was higher than the
monument of London. This, as in duty bound, I patriotically denied; but
which of us was led into error by partiality for our respective countries
I am not prepared to say. The Mahila Sahib accompanied us to the summit,
whence we had a most magnificent view. Looking down into the city
beneath us, we could discern the turning of every narrow street, the
palaces situated in the midst of gardens, the hovels in the midst of
dunghills, though I am bound to say that the former preponderated in
number, and the houses of the city were for the most part substantial and
well built. Some of these streets were now crowded with a motley
multitude, returning home from the review, the bright uniforms mixing
amongst them as the soldiers joined their families after being dismissed
parade, or here and there marched in companies back to the barracks.
Officers were scampering down streets on ponies, dragging along the horse
boys, who were holding on by their tails. All this the Mahila Sahib
pointed out with much affability. Had he been the man to seize a good
opportunity, that was the moment to give Jung a push over the low
parapet; but the Mahila Sahib is a man without decision of character; so
we all descended, and he allowed the minister to reach the bottom his own
way. We then proceeded with Jung to his residence, there to partake of a
farewell feast. The carriage in which we were driving was one I had seen
brought over the mountain passes on men's shoulders in detached portions;
and this emanation from Long-Acre was to be trundled for the rest of its
existence along the three or four miles of carriage-road which the valley
of Nepaul can boast. Our way lay through narrow lanes, walled in by the
enclosures of different rich men's suburban residences, and the prolific
orange-trees drooped their luscious fruit over the garden walls for the
benefit of any one who chose to pick them, as they hung temptingly
overhead. Ju