pur, and on the south and east by the river of Benares. The country is generally low, with water near the surface, and abounding in large jheels or lakes. It is traversed from west to east by several rivers or streams, all of which take their rifle from lakes situated either in the district itself or in Oudh, at a short distance to the west, between the Gogra and the Gúmti, and fall into the Ganges. Two of these are navigable during the rains, whilst the others are never navigable; but are highly valued for the irrigation which they extensively supply. The soil is generally fertile and peculiarly adapted for the cultivation of the sugar-cane.'
'The chief natural products of the district are sugar, indigo, and opium. Comparatively little grain is grown in the district, seldom sufficient for the support of the whole population, which is partly dependent upon importation from the neighbouring district of Gorakhpur, or from Behar, or the Western Provinces. The river Gogra is the general channel for these importations. Grain markets are established all along the course of this stream, and the supplies are thence poured in, as necessary, to all the manufacturing towns in the district. Sugar is the staple produce. It is cultivated throughout the district, and always yields a high rent.'
Such was the district on which he entered at a critical moment in its local history, for the Thirty Years' Settlement was being introduced. He found that the lands of the whole district were being surveyed parish by parish, with a professional and scientific survey after the English method, and field by field with a rough cadastral survey after the native Indian system; that upon these measurements the land
