CHAPTER LVI.
ELEVATION OF THE HIMALAYA.
"Not vainly did the early Persian make
His altar the high places, and the peak
Of earth-o'ergazing mountains, and thus take
A fit and unwall'd temple, there to seek
The Spirit, in whose honour shrines are weak,
Uprear'd of human hands. Come, and compare
Columns and idol-dwellings, Goth or Greek,
With nature's realms of worship, earth and air,
Nor fix on fond abodes to circumscribe thy prayer!"
The Great Peak of Bhadrināth—No Glaciers in the Snowy Ranges—Ceremonies
performed on visiting Holy Places—Kedarnāth—Moira Peak—Gangoutrī—The
Jaunti Peak—Jumnotrī—The Himalaya Range formed by Mahadēo—Palia
Gadh—The Dewtas—Bandarponch—H[)u]noomān—The Cone—Height
of the Himalayas.
1838, Sept.—You wish me to send home some sketches from the Hills; I will strive to comply with the request, and in the mean time will forward you a map, copied from a portion of a survey: it will show you the elevation of the Himalaya, and give you a definite idea of the shape of the mountains.
THE GREAT PEAK OF BHADRINĀTH.
The highest peak, that of Bhadrināth, 23,441 feet above the Sea, is a conspicuous object from the summit of Landowr. Some of the mountains of the Snowy Ranges display high, rocky, sharp peaks, covered with snow—smooth, hard, unbroken, and glittering white; others are cut into fantastic shapes.
