Page:McCosh, John - Advice to Officers in India (1856).djvu/121

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IN INDIA.
101

two passengers, one in front and one behind, with an intermediate frame to fit in between the seats, so as to admit of the recumbent position. Most people prefer paying extra, and having a carriage to one's-self. Enough baggage is allowed to supply one's wants on the journey. Travellers may either run along night and day, at the rate of seven or eight miles an hour; or they may halt a few hours at the numerous staging bungalows upon the route, paying a charge of one rupee for the accommodation. These bungalows are placed at from ten to fifteen miles distant along the whole trunk road. They all contain two or four suites of apartments, with an establishment of servants, and the means of getting comfortable meals at moderate rates. The first eighty miles are now performed by railway, which is open as far as Raneegunge.

Journeys off the line of the trunk road are performed by palanquin dawk; arrangements can be made with the postmaster at every station. The traveller provides his own palanquin, and Government the bearers, at the rate of eight annas a mile. He is allowed two men to carry his baggage, and can either move along continuously, at the rate of three or four miles an hour, or halt at staying bungalows, as may be convenient; for there are bungalows at convenient distances on the route to every station, even off the trunk line.