This assemblage of rivulets forms that great river the Soane, which, for the short course it has to run, not being more than sixty miles from its numerous sources in the hills before noticed, presents an uncommon expanse, being generally from three quarters of a mile to two miles in breadth; but, in the dry season, contracting its stream to a very narrow channel, winding in the most fanciful meanders, and causing, by its waters being so dispersed in a very flat bed, more quicksands than probably are to be found in any river in the world. It is worthy of remark here, that several rivers in that part of the world, which have sandy beds, appear suddenly to be lost; owing to sand banks, that, during the stream’s violence, have been thrown up, so high as to be above the waters when the rains have subsided: the current continues very perceptible, but as the bar prevents the water from going forward, it passes through the intervals of the very coarse grit which forms that bar; and, perhaps, at the distance of half a mile lower, re-appears. The natives, who attribute every thing that can bear the perversion to some invisible agent, never fail to apply this as a curse upon any village that may be opposite to such a bar, under the opinion that the waters ceased to run in its vicinity on account of some impiety, either known, or concealed, perpetrated by the inhabitants.
The Gogra, or Dewah, which takes its rise in the hills north of Gorackpore, dividing Napaul from the Company’s possessions, rolls its impetuous course through a country nearly desolate, and bounding its banks with most extensive forests and wildernesses. The soil is not so impregnated with nitre as in other parts, nor are the streams that form its volume tainted so strongly with minerals. Perhaps owing to the length of its course, which may be about 250 miles, or more, the more weighty particles may be deposited; for it is held that this river contains less obnoxious mixture than any part of the Ganges. Of lime it may certainly partake, since it runs through some tracts abounding with _kunkur_; but its course is chiefly through clay, sand, and a species of black potters’ marle, of which crockery is made in some parts of north Bahar, in imitation of our Staffordshire ware; though very inferior as to form and finish. For this, the neighbourhood of Sewan is famous.