Russian Police perfect;* the Persian and Turkish police efficient;-the Bombay police vigilant; -but the Neilgherry police-(horresco referens) -successfully represses every complaint by forcing on us the wretched " twaddle," that as the natives are so bad, it is impossible to enforce the regulations. The consequence of such a denunciation is most vexatious. It leads to acts of the most daring description, and is in fact an incentive to aggressions of every kind. It can be tolerated in some measure, when for insolence a menial receives speedy chastisement; but it is really quite sickening when things come to such a pass, that one cannot pay a morning visit without

* If a Russian Police could be introduced into Ootakamund for a month or two, I doubt not that a most salutiferous effect would be produced. I see no objection to such a measure, for after all there is little difference between some of our own ordinances, and those of our northern friends the Russians, with whom "political humbug" rages under the control of a machinery impervious to the public eye.-If a Russian officer travels from Petersburgh to Moscow, he must take out a passport from the Police office-and if a Company's officer passes through any portion of the Madras territories, he must do the same, or run the risk of being detained until he can procure one. I think it very questionable whether the "insolence of office" prevails more in the one, than the other country. Of course, there are exceptions, sed raræ aves, &c.

being robbed by those whose duty it is to guard your house and property-to say nothing of sheepstealing, potatoe-plucking*, and cottage-plundering -these little foibles are done in so genteel a manner that they only give eclat to the actors, who appear to think that such proceedings are the inevitable consequences of their calling, and that the axiom "Il faut vivre" is a very compulsory one in Ootakamund. It is notorious that this is the case to a great extent. The inefficiency of the Police must of course be attributed to those who are invested with the power of punishment, but who on the contrary decline acting either through fear, or imbecility. If your servant robs you, they say "discharge him"-if he absconds, you are called upon to pay his wages in full, and afterwards to complain of his ill-conduct. He, having possessed himself of the needful, takes especial care to be on the high road to Bangalore, when you are

* I do not exaggerate when I assert that not five gardens escaped during my stay; and I heard Col. Crewe himself say, that a friend at Trichinopoly had informed him his own vegetables were daily to be had in the bazar at that station-and in great plenty. I need not add that the Colonel's table was poorly supplied in consequence.

looking for him about the bazar.

There is in fact no adequate protection for property, no tribunal where redress can be afforded in proportion to the injury inflicted. The master of Police, by a singular confusion of ideas on these matters, is generally the supreme judge;-the law which has been framed to determine the limit of his power is far too restricted-and should he chance to be one of many "composing the beggarly account of empty heads," it resolves itself into a dead letter.

But a word or two by way of illustrating the proceedings of that "caput insanabile" of the N********* P*****. A gentleman of my acquaintance applied to him for redress in consequence of some misconduct on the part of his servant; but to his surprise it was communicated to him that as he was not a military man, no cognizance could be taken of his complaint, and that he must appeal to the Magistrate of the district who resides at Calicut, full one hundred and sixty miles distant, and who never (as I understand) visits this place for the administration of justice. Now, admitting that the Police acted up to their instruc

tions, I am convinced that had this very delinquent been the accuser, a fine, or some such punishment would instantly have been levied upon his master. Thus, it is, that menials are let loose upon the society of Ootakamund, to repeat their depredations ad libitum: for whenever an offender escapes punishment, the master's house rarely escapes pillage. It is of the utmost importance as regards visitors to the Neilgherry Hills, that the administration of justice should be facilitated, and that it should be relieved of every superfluous obstacle: and as the orders the Court of Directors are so strict in securing the "innocent and inoffensive natives” (according to parliamentary phraseology) against illusage; surely Englishmen should have the same protection whenever they may stand in need of it."

House rent is ruinous at Ootakamund-but some persons reside in their own houses, which is by far the most reasonable plan if they intend remaining

* It is with peculiar pleasure, and only strict justice that I do thus publicly record the very efficient manner, in which the police duties were conducted by Lieutenant C. F. Le Hardy -a young officer of great promise. I appeal to the residents of Ootakamund, whether his removal to Bellary, is not a source of real regret to them all.

for any length of time. The only dwellings suited to the climate, are unsuited to the means of nine tenths of those who visit these hills. The rent varies from one hundred and fifty, to two hundred rupees per mensem, and it is generally understood that the house is let on a lease of six months at least. A few cottages are often available at a monthly rent which fluctuates from fifty to a hundred rupees: but these dwellings are invariably so damp, as to be scarcely habitable. As however, so few of the larger, and more expensive ones have been in occupation for the last year or two-I doubt not but the rents must soon fall very considerably. Some time ago it was customary to saddle the unfortunate tenant with what they call "fire-risk," which was no joke when it is remembered that most of the houses and even some of the adjoining kitchens are thatched: but it is surprising so few accidents occur. We, however, were burnt out of a cottage during the night, but as no agreement whatever had been entered into-happily escaped the penalty, which is usually a forfeiture of six or eight months rent. In speaking of the