To Daniel Corrie

Cawnpore. May 1, 1809

The entrance to this place is through plains of immeasurable extent, covered with burning sand. The place itself I have not yet been able to see, nor shall, I suppose, till the rains: at present it is involved in a thick cloud of dust. So much for exordium. Let me take up my narrative from Mirzapoor, from whence I wrote you a note. I reached Tarra about noon. Next day, at noon, reached Allahabad, and was hospitably received by Mr. G.; at night dined with him at the Judge's, and met twenty-six people. From Allahabad to Cawnpore, how shall I describe what I suffered! Two days and two nights was I travelling without intermission. Expecting to arrive early on Saturday morning, I took no provision for that day. Thus I lay in my palanquin, faint, with a headache, neither awake nor asleep, between dead and alive, the wind blowing flames. The bearers were so unable to bear up, that we were six hours coming the last six kos. However, with all these frightful circumstances, I was brought, in mercy, through. It was too late on Saturday to think of giving notice of my arrival, that we might have service; indeed, I was myself too weak. Even now the motion of the palanquin is not out of my brain, nor the heat out of my blood.