[o8

INDIA

the Wulur Lake, golden with the lights of autumn crops,
edged with purple and russet where the lower spurs of
the mountains bind the yellow plain. In the midst of the
valley is the lake, reflecting each feature of the surrounding
 hills as in a mirror, but broken with dark blotches
of chenar-covered islands and floating gardens. Small
wonder that the gods of the woods and the mountains
still hold their own in the superstitious veneration of the
Muhammadan inhabitants, who have not learned yet to
forget the teachings of their ancient Hindu faith, and still
cherish some faint survival of the yet more ancient symols
 of Turanian demonology !
The capital of Kashmir, Srinagar, consists of a collection
 of rickety wood-built structures erected on the banks
of the Jehlam, exceedingly picturesque to the eye, but
otherwise foul with the abominations of centuries. It is
here that the shawl and carpet-weaving is maintained, and
here is the centre of European occupation. Srinagar is
readily accessible from the plains of India. A good tonga
road from Murree (the hill-station of the Punjab) already
runs some hundred miles to Baramulla on the Jehlam,
at the entrance of the Kashmir valley, and a further ex-‘ension
 to Srinagar will shortly be completed.
Our practical interest in Kashmir lies in its possible
capability for supporting a purely European colony such
as might eventually prove a source of strength to the
Empire in India. There is little doubt indeed about its
adaptability to European life—in a measure and to an
extent greater than is to be found elsewhere in India.
Eurasian (or half-caste) colonies exist all over India,
chiefly on the skirts of the larger towns and stations, and
they are dependent almost entirely on the European community
 for employment and means of subsistence. But
there are no pure European colonies in India yet. There
are a few European settlers in the Nilgiris and the hillstations
 of the Himalayas, but they do not form colonies.
Their sons and daughters are usually educated in England,
 and do not in their turn look to India as the land
1 1890.