A BREAKFAST PIC-NIC IN INDIA.
FOUR started at daylight
OUR bachelors, amongst whom
on the 2nd of May, 1865, for a
'breakfast' pic-nic. The heat of
the sun, the peculiar glare reflected
from every surrounding object, and
the indescribable, listless monotony
of an Indian day, renders a pic-nic
in this country almost an impos-
sibility, as far as English notions
are concerned. But having obtained
leave to visit the hill station of
Mahableshwur, where the climate is
cooler, and the breeze refreshing,
we determined on keeping up
English customs, and enjoying a
rural meal. Breakfast was sent out
to a delightful spot about nine
miles from the station, and at the
time mentioned we wended our way
thither. Two of the party rode
horses, and I, having a country
cart, gave a seat to the third friend,
and drove the whole distance. The
morning was cool and pleasant, and
the birds chirped at us, on our way,
as if they were astonished at being
roused so early and wanted to go to
sleep again.
Up hill and down dale, round precipices, across rivulets, on we went, till a white, domed-shaped building, very like a large tent, struck on our view, and we knew the village of Mahableshwur was at hand, and that half the distance was accomplished.
All mankind are mortal, and however romantic and sentimental VOL VIII.-NO. XLVII.
we might have become at another
period of the day, the very ordinary
and commonplace feeling of hunger
prevented our halting for more than
a moment, and the savoury smell of
a waiting repast lured us onward,
regardless of the beautiful scenery
and interesting associations of this
sacred village. Again up and down,
across bridges of the most primitive
construction, and over stones that
seemed to grow out of the ground
purposely to annoy us, and retard
our progress; (they certainly had
no earthly use else). Now crossing
a blackened plain about half a mile
in extent, the result of a jungle fire
amongst the underwood and
'bracken,' and presenting a desolate
spot amongst luxuriant vegetation
and thick shrubbery, we arrived at
Elphinstone Point. This is the
extreme end, or 'point,' of one of
the ghauts, or mountain ranges that
run along the western coast of the
Bombay Presidency, and on the flat
summit of which Mahableshwur is
situated. Four thousand feet above
the sea, a cool climate and sea breeze
are always to be obtained, and the
prostrated, heat-stricken Indian
revives, and breathes again.
From this spot a magnificent view is to be seen, stretching for miles in front towards the sea, the even appearance of the plain below being relieved by ranges of smaller hills, and here and there a larger and apparently fortified mountain.