But cease not thus—in sombre guise. As o’er that darkling stream Another sun shall haply rise, To cheer it with its beam. So, on the soul, its chast’ning o’er, Shall burst eternal light— The light that gilds that happy shore. Whose day shall know no night. A few days more brought us to Boglipore, a very beautiful station, surrounded by rich park-like scenery. Having visited the boiling spring of Seetacoond, to which a plentiful crop of legends is attached by the credulous natives, filled a few bottles with the water, which is remarkable for its purity, and I believe medicinal virtues (though, as I was not much of a water-fancier at that time, I rather give this on report than from actual experience), we soon reached the ancient fortress of Monghyr, a place which cuts a considerable figure in Indian history, although more celebrated in modern times as the seat of an extensive manufactory of tea-kettles, turn-screws, toasting-forks, &c., as also of fire-arms, after European models. These guns have occasionally winged a few griffs, and have consequently a bad name, though the vendors are willing to prove them in your presence. Nevertheless, though dirt-cheap, they are not often bought, except by the very green. There is no enjoyment in a suspected gun, any more than in a doubtful egg. On bringing to at the ghaut, we perceived a regiment of chapmen, all eager to present their wares. One fellow carried a huge tea-kettle, another a double-barrelled gun, a third a chafing-dish and a handful of toasting-forks, a fourth a cage of beautiful green and blue birds from the hills, &c. With these gentry I drove several bargains, assisted by Ramdial, who afterwards had to fight a few stout battles on his own account for _dustoorie_, or customary perquisites, claimed, though unwillingly allowed, on all disbursements in India. A rare stock of valuables I had on leaving Monghyr, including three cages of birds, one of avidavats, all swept off, some time after, by a terrible epidemic, which found its way amongst them. Here I observed, for the first time, a peculiar mode of capturing the river turtle; several natives paddled a light dingy or canoe along, one standing in the prow, with a light dart or harpoon in his hand; presently I saw a huge turtle raise his head above the water, and in an instant the harpooner flung his light weapon, having a cord attached, which reached its object with an unerring aim; all was now bustle, and in a few minutes I saw them haul in a turtle, which, as far as looks went, might have made an alderman’s mouth water.