The Roodroo-Himala is considered the greatest of the snowy range in this quarter, and is held to be the throne or residence of Mahadeo himself. It is called Pauch Purbut from its five peaks; also Soomeroo Purbot and Kylas. The names of the five peaks are Roodroo-Himala, Burrumpooree, Bissenpooree, Oodgurre-Kanta, and Soorna Rounee. These form a sort of semi-circular hollow of large extent, filled with perpetual snow, from the gradual melting of the lower parts of which the stream is chiefly formed.

"It is easy," says Mr. Fraser, "to write of rocks and wilds, of torrents and precipices; it is easy to tell of the awe such scenes inspire: this style and these descriptions áre common and hackneyed. But it is not so simple; to many surely not very possible, to convey an adequate idea of the stern and rugged majesty of some scenes; to paint their lonely desertness, or describe the undefinable sensation of reverence and dread that steal over the mind while contemplating the death-like ghastly calm that is shed over them and when at such a moment we remember our homes, our firesides, and all the social intercourse with our fellows, and feel our present solitude, and the great distance of all these dear ties, how vain is it to strive at description!

"Surely such a scene is Gungotree. Nor is it, independent of the surrounding scenery, a spot which lightly calls forth powerful feelings. We were now in the centre of the stupendous Himmaleh, the loftiest and perhaps most rugged range of mountains in the world. We were at the acknowledged source of that noble river, equally an object of veneration and a source of fertility, plenty, and opulence, to Hindoostan; and we had now reached the holiest shrine of Hindoo worship which these holy hills contain. These are surely striking considerations combining with the solemn grandeur of the place, to move the feelings strongly.

"Well, indeed, do they say, that Seeva has formed these recesses which he inhabits, inaccessible to all but those whom true devotion leads to his shrine. That man must have been indeed strongly impelled by devotion, ambition, or curiosity, who first explored the way to Gungotree. It were unavailing to inquire, and perhaps of little use if known, to which of these motives we owe the

enterprise; but patience, perseverance, and courage, must have been strongly united with it, to lead him safely and successfully through those awful cliffs, that would bar the way to most men. It appears that one of the chief ceremonies performed by the devotees or pilgrims, was going frequently round the holy temple; and we particularly observed that those who were noted as the greatest rogues were most forward in this pious exercise; one man, in particular, who had been a notorious thief, was unwearied in his perseverance."

CARAVANS-INTERNAL COMMERCE OF ASIA.

The internal trade of Asia is carried on chiefly by means of caravans: this mode of conducting commerce is peculiar to this quarter of the globe and the northern parts of Africa, and has been practised from the early ages of the world. The camel, which is the animal chiefly employed for transporting goods, is of the greatest use to the inhabitants, for without it their trade must have been extremely limited. Some of the most fertile districts are separated from each other by extensive tracts of barren sand, the seats of drought and desolation, called by the Arabs seas without water, which seem to exclude the possibility of communication between those countries. But by means of the camel, which has been called the ship of the desert, the most dreary wastes are traversed, and the nations which they disjoin are enabled to trade with each other. Those painful journies, impracticable by any other animal, the camel performs with wonderful despatch.

Under the heavy burdens of from 600 to 900 pounds, these animals can continue their march for a long period of time, with little food or rest, and sometimes without taking water for eight or nine days.

For the purpose of mutual defence and advantage, the merchants trading towards the same quarter assemblé from the surrounding countries at an appointed time and place, and in one great body proceed to the place of their destination. These collections of merchants and travellers are denominated caravans, and consist sometimes of above 50,000 persons, besides a still greater number of camels. They are the fleets of Asia, by which its commerce is carried on, and its merchandise is circulated through every part of its wide extent.

These caravans are not, however, wholly commercial; some of them originate in religious motives. Mahomet enjoined on all his followers to perform, once in their life, a pilgrimage to the temple of Mecca; and in obedience to this precept, numerous caravans repair annually to the holy city from all countries in which the Mahometan religion is professed. In these enterprises, objects of commerce and devotion are united, and Mecca is crowded at the same time with zealous devotees and opulent merchants. The number assembled sometimes amounts to upwards of 200,000, and Mecca becomes for a few days, perhaps, the greatest fair in the world.

Every caravan is commanded by a chief or Aga, who has under him a sufficient number of janissaries, or other soldiers of the states through which they pass, for conduct⚫ing them in safety to the place of their destination. They encamp every night in the neighbourhood of some wells or brooks, which are all known to the guides, and here they observe as exact a discipline as an army during war. Before a caravan can be formed, it is necessary to obtain a written permission from one sovereign, which must be confirmed at least by two others. This permission must specify the number of men and beasts of burden, and the quantity of merchandise of which it is composed. There are commonly four principal officers who are chosen by the owners, the caravan basha, or chief of the caravan, and three captains. The first is commander in chief, the second commands during the march; the third when it rests; and the fourth when it happens to be attacked.

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The gains of the merchants belonging to the caravans are often incredible. As an instance of which, we told of a traveller who, with goods for which he paid only £30, by repeated barters and exchanges, in the course of one journey, gained £6,000. These immense profits, which are by no means uncommon, induce numerous adventurers to accompany the caravans, notwithstanding the hardships and inconveniences of the journey, which, in many instances, are extremely severe. Unwholesome food, intolerable water, and often none at all, long and fatiguing marches through burning sands, which in summer commence at five in the afternoon, and continue, without halting, until eleven the next day, and a frightful confusion of tongues, and of nations, are circumstances with

princes have thus provided accommodation to travellers in those desert regions, where it is most required, they have limited their generosity to a mere shelter from the inclemency of the weather, and to a supply of water, which is often brought from a great distance. Neither beds, kitchen, nor provisions, are attached to these buildings; and the traveller must either carry along with him every thing that he wants, or purchase them after his arrival.

The following description of the khans met with in Turkey is taken from the travels of Ali Bey. "A khan is a quadrangular edifice, having sometimes towers at the angles, and is crowded with battlements in the same manner as a fortress. These monuments are more or less considerable. Their usual size is about 133 feet on each side. In the interior they consist generally of two courts surrounded with stables. Some have a mosque, or simply a chapel, in which travellers pray; and there are others that have dwellings. I believe that all the khans are

built by order of government.

"These establishments are always open. The caravans and travellers enter and go away, without saying a word to any one; in short, without asking permission, or taking leave on their departure. Every person stays as long as he thinks proper, without paying the smallest contribution to any body. There are khans in all places, peopled as well as desert, where the traveller has to halt. Those that I visited are very well built of stone, some even with architectural embellishment, but as they are all very ancient some are going to decay."

TURKEY IN ASIA.

The principal countries, included in Turkey in Asia, are Asia Minor or Natolia, Syria including Palestine, Armenia, Diarbekir, Curdistan, and Irak Arabi, or the pachalic of Bagdad.

THE EUPHRATES.

The Euphrates, which flows through the eastern part of Turkey, ranks among the great rivers of Asia. As it waters the region where the human race were first planted, it has been celebrated from the earliest ages; and on its banks was built the famous city of Babylon. It rises in the mountains of Armenia from two principal sources, which unite near Palo. It flows to the southwest towards the Mediterranean, till meeting with a range of mountains, it is turned to a southeast direction, which it pursues to the Persian gulf.

It enters the gulf about 70 miles below Bassora; and at Corna, 130 miles above its mouth, it is joined by the Tigris. Its whole length is upwards of 1,500 miles. It is navigable for ships of 500 tons to Bassora, and in the driest seasons for large boats about a day's sail above Corna. Above this point, it is navigated six months in the year, by flat-bottomed boats in the shape of a halfmoon; the ribs and planks being roughly nailed together, and the outside covered with bitumen.

THE TIGRIS.

The Tigris rises. in the mountains of Armenia, about 50 miles N. of Diarbekir, and only 15 E. of one of the sources of the Euphrates; and flowing in a SSE. direction, joins the Euphrates at Corna. It was famous in ancient times, and on its banks were the cities of Nineveh, Ctesiphon, and Seleucia. In modern times it can boast the famous city of Bagdad, and the secondary ones of Diarbekir and Mosul. The country included between the Euphrates and Tigris, was anciently called Mesopotamia. This river has a rapid current; it is navigable for boats of 20 or 30 tons to Bagdad; and small boats descend from Diarbekir.