THE PARADISE OF THE INDIES          357

becomes very cold and is by no means unwholesome, as
I apprehended, though at first it sometimes affects the
bowels.!

But to what purpose am I indulging in scientific dis¬
quisitions when on the eve of departure, when my
thoughts should be occupied with the burning sun to
which I am about to be exposed, and which in the Indies
it is sufficiently painful to endure at any season; with the
daily packing, loading and unloading; with the never-
ceasing instructions to servants; with the pitching and
striking of my tent; with marches by day, and marches by
night; in short, with the precarious and wandering life
which for the ensuing eighteen months I am doomed to
experience} Adieu, my Friend ; I shall not fail to per¬
form my promise, and to impart to you from time to time
all our adventures. The army on this occasion will advance
by easy marches : it will not be disquieted with the ap¬
prehension of an enemy, but move with the gorgeous
magnificence peculiar to the Kings of Hindoustan. I shall
therefore endeavour to note every interesting occurrence
in order that I may communicate it as soon as we arrive
at Lahor.

! ' Saltpetre, which in gunpowder produces the explosive heat, is
used by his Majesty as a means for cooling ■rt'ater, and is thus a source
of joy for great and small.'—Ain, p. 55.