ortion of 1 in 5.5.

_On the 2nd December_, our party left Gowahatty for Suddiya, on the
morning of the 4th I proceeded in advance in Captain Matthie's express
canoe for Tezpoor, which place I reached on the evening of the 6th, and
at which I met with a most kind reception from Captain Matthie, Principal
Assistant to the Agent to the Governor General, and in Civil charge of
the district of Durrung. Tezpoor possesses many advantages over
Gowahatty, from which place it is about 120 miles distant, that is,
following the river. It is situated on the banks of what was once a
portion of the Burrampooter, but which is now nothing but a nullah,
nearly dry at the present season. It is a completely new place, {12}
Captain Matthie having arrived here about a year since, at which time it
was a complete jungle. Some small hills run along the side of the
nullah, on one of which Captain Matthie's house is situated. The
clearings have already reached to a considerable extent, and there are
two good roads for buggies. The great advantage it has over Gowahatty
consists in its freedom from fogs, which evidently hug the Meekur hills
on the opposite side of the Burrampooter, bearing about E.S.E. from
Tezpoor. It is perhaps owing to the proximity of these hills that
Nowgong until 10 A.M. appears completely enveloped in fog, while all
round Tezpoor it is completely clear.

From this place the view of the Himalayas and of the intervening Bootan
hills is very fine. The chain is of considerable extent, and presents
three grand peaks, of which the most westerly one is the largest. They
do not appear very distant, and are distinctly seen at this season at all
times of the day. They are more soft and picturesque towards evening, at
which time the different shades are better developed. The degrees of
ascent of the Bootan hills are well shewn; the hills forming the lowest
range being of no considerable height. It is at once obvious, that the
ascent into Bootan from this place would occupy several days.

[Captain Mathie's Cutcherry: p12.jpg]

The view to the S. and S.S.W. is barren enough, and is completely flat;
the country presenting nothing whatever but high grass, with an
occasional peep of the river. That to the north is, owing to the
Himalayas, very striking and picturesque.

Cultivation is carried on to a great extent about Tezpoor, and the
district is populous, although few villages are to be seen, as they are
all concealed a