New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-01-16

HENRY BALLANTINE LECTURES ON THE VAL
nm CagrNfrpr,

HENRY BALLANTINE LECTURES ON THE VALE
OF CASHMERE.
Henry Ballanflne who thirteen years ago made
tho opening address In Chickcrng Hail. lcctured before
large audience ln no same building last evening,
at a meeting OF tho American Geographical Society.
The subject OF his remarks illustrated by beautiful
stcreoptcon Views, was The Vale Of Cashmere
"The Vale of Cashmere said tho speaker, " where
Lalla Rookh married, and many OF the
scenes OF the famous poem laid, Is two hundred
mos from the last point Of tho railway, travelling
north from India Tho Happy Valley as tho name
signifies, Is independent State. II was purchased
nom the British Government by oulab Singh. for
10000 pounds sterling Until recently, It could
be visited by foreigners only with permission obtained
from the Maharajah, through tho British Resident.
This however has been made much easier by England,
and foreigners can now live in Cashmere, as wei as
own property there. II IS sought by tho British
oalcals ~ q place OF recreation and health, and Is
prominently adapted to such purpose. The winters
are never too cold and tho summers never
too hot The people Of Cashmere ars chiefly
agricultural tho staple crop being rice, whilo fruit
tfces grow IN great profuson. From want OF care,
however and natural shlessness Of tho inhabitants,
tho products are poor The culture of SIX has been
attempted Ny the native Government. but only sue
ceeded IN showing that In proper hands the venture
would bc prfiableS
The speaker G2.d mat tie cashmere Shawl lnu"sts
he'd Justly, A worldwide fama But Il was q mistake
TO suppose as was universally dono. that tho material
composing the shawl was camcl's hair. NO camePs
hair entered into Tho composition. They were made
Of Cashmere goats hair, two kinds OF which
tho Putoo and Pashimina were used respectively Tor
tho coarse and fine varieties. Tho wcaversi who were
men and boys, were paid only three cents day. a
few merchants have entire control OF the Industry.
The land paid England an annual tribute Of three
shawls one horse and fifteen pounds OF Pashlmina IN
acknowledgment OF her supremacy. Cashmere was
rich I'm mineral wealth -Four years ago great amount
OF snow fell causing great ayaanches when lore
away n whole side OF a mountain, scattering shower
OF sayphres In the valley below and lowering the Price
OF the gem throughout the world -, .
There was srong cast OF Jewish features among mo
Tie women, whose beauty was ceeDrated
In prose ard song, and II this proof alone was sun.
cicnt the theories OF certain men were correct thas
there wcre 90 be found the traces OF the lost Des 0l
Israel Tho entrance 70 the Happy valley, Whch
Las been heretofore fraught With diihouities wouin
soon be an easy matter owing 10 the reforms OF inc
present Maharajah railroad would be ouliti pass,
ING through the aVenlce OF the Fast which woul1
bring Cashmere within four days OF the now dlSiah,
Calcutta and Bombay, and open IL 70 the cN'n]eu
This following officers were elected for the following
year presidenf, Judge Charles i. Da@ NlVc pIesF
dent r. /. Vlec treasurer, Walter r. u Jones , So
reary. Edward Hall councillors, Chandler hoDpIhhs'
levi UobroOk, Professor DR.. ThecdoW W p",5nN
the Rev Or Philip schan, Gustav kcssel the rev
DR. G. O. Tiffany and Christian Bors.