HASSAN IN M Y S O R E .
of sixty feet span, across the Yagache river at Belur,
which latter, very much needed indeed, as will presently
be seen, is to be completed in 1890. The Maharajah’s
line between Bangalore and Mysore, the capital,
has recently been bought up by the Southern Mahratta
Railway Company, with a view of continuing it as far
as Bellary, to connect it with Bombay direct, as well
as with Marmagaon, by a branch line westward; a very
important extension, since the latter seaport is open
all the year round, whereas Mangalore, Tellicherry,
Calicut, &c., are closed during the monsoon. Railway
communication has been a great boon to Mysore coffee
planters, whose estates—at a very low ebb a few years
ag0—have in consequence materially increased in value,
no doubt assisted by good crops and higher prices for
the berry in the European markets.
Hassan (Plate VII.), to which I must now retrace
my steps, is a pretty town, and its inhabitants may
well be proud of its magnificent wide avenues of
the lofty Flamboyant (Pouaiconct), clad in bright
scarlet flowers. I t is one of the most beautiful
trees in the East; only the Amherstia nobilis of
Burmah exceeds it in brilliant effect; the flower
of the latter is scarlet and gold, and grows to a
height of forty feet, which the Flamboyant often
exceeds.