Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1846-05-14

merous wayelike hills rising to ONE height in
the centr4, and intersected by the deep p%recipit-
Gus raVines, cover the face of the country, thus
rendering communication difficult; while the
flowing between.high steep banks, prevent
the employment of their waters for the purpose
of irrigation, There is but little fertile soil, the
land being covered with brush wood, nor are
there any towns of great Importance. The Je-
lum is a broad clear stream of from 800 to 400
yards in width, running in a sandy bed at the rate
of about two miles an hour. The temperature
in December was, at sunrise. As deg. Fair, and
at noon 81 deg.
The second portion is inclosed between the
river Jelum and Chenab, and, with the exception
of a range of low hills, which crossing the Jelum,
run parallel with its left band, is quite flat, most
ly covered with jungle, but the soil being light
and sandy, grass and roots are so abundant that
large herds of cattle, sheep, camels, &c. are
maintained. By means of wells artificial irriga-
ton is p%ractised but by the aid of canals the
whole country might be converted into a most
fertile and productive garden. The Chenab is
a clear smooth stream, 100 yards in width and
10 feet deep.
"The third doab (space ofland between two
r%ivers( between the Chenab and Ravel, which
latter is the smallest of the four streams, not be-
ing n~avigable till below Lahore, where it has a
breadth of 200 feet and a debth of three feet
and a half. The surface Of this portion is par
ohoI o,I uncuIfiuo4oJ ftpOtbirdc IF ~ haiDr
overrun with wild indigo, tamarinds, and other
tropical plants. Canals, conducted into this dis
trict from the mountain streams, might make
this also one of the most fertile portions of the
country yet, unfortunately, it is only the imme-
date neighborhood ofthe towns and villages that
the earth is titled. A large but neglected canal
shows that greater cultivation once existed here.
Several considerable towns lie on the high road
from Lahore to Attoc, among which the most
important is the MussuIman town Of Ramaug-
CUR, en- the left bank of the Chenab. "The
smallest and most neglected Of these four divis-
ions is that between the Ravee and the SutleL
only $40 miles broad. Here are situated the
greatest cities of the Pun jaub-Iahole, Umritsir
Essence of ambrosia,) and Kassaur. The SUIT
lei is the most important of the tributaries of the
Indus its width is from $50 to 400 yards, and
in the rainy season it overhows its banks, rem
dering fertile the surrounding country TO some
distance"
"Besides this country, so richly blessed by
nature, but so neglected by man, the provinces
Of Postwar, in the north, and M%oultan, on the
right bank of the Indus as far Miltan Kote, also
belong to the kingdom, of the Sikhs. The
whole extent of the dominion ruled by the Ma
harajah may be estimated at about 100000
square miles, with 5000, 900 inhabitants, and a
revenue Of from two to three million pounds
sterling. 1t is divided into provinces and dis
tricts which, for the payment Of a stipulated trib-
ute, are entrusted to the government of officers
called Sirdars, who %naturully endeavor to squeeze
as much as possible from the country. Moultan,
which is governed by a Hindoo, %rejoices under
the best administration, while Postwar is the
most impoverished and oppressed"
Captain Won Orlich then gives a brief summary
Of the history of the rise of the Sikhs, from
which it appears the origin of this sect dates
from the end ofthe fifteenth century. At first
they were mild and tolerant in their doctrines
and practice; but throughout the sixteenth cen
fury, having been much oppressed by the Mus
s%ulmans, who at last in N606) murdered their
spiritual head, the harmless Sikhs were trans
formed into frantic soldiers, and under Har-
Govind, the son OF their murdered priest, arose
as open enemies and avengers against their
oppressors. In the course of the succeeding
century their doctrines underwent some slight
notifications. Difference ofcaste was abolished,
peculiar customs were introduced, every man
was bound to serve as d soldier and bear some
species 0 farms, the use of tobacco was forbidden,
their clothes were to be ola nnifrrm color (blue,)
and their hair and boards to be allowed to grow.
The Akalio, fantic fakirs or w%andring priests,
have great influence among them; they recognise
no sovereingn and will only endure their own
princes, whom they censure as they act country
to their views, they deprive of life. "Their
usual weapon (says Won Orlich) is a species of
QUOT, about foot in diameter, with sharp edges,
and with which, adroitly thrown, they can cut
off a mans head at some distance"