To those accustomed only to the comforts ofcivilized life, or to the traveller who is indifferent to the beautiesof scenery, the monotony, silence, and loneliness of the vast forestsof Assam, will present few features of attraction; but as the countryoffers a wide field of discovery, and so many interesting enquiriesremain to be prosecuted in regard to the numerous wild tribes by whichit is inhabited, it is hoped that the present brief outline of thecondition of the people will not prove altogether uninteresting.

The chief object of the following pages is to make Assambetter known, to remove some prejudices which exist against it, andpreserve the [vi]memory of many remarkable scenes. Thenarrative of the principal events has been compiled from officialdocuments, with the knowledge of Government; but the Author hasexpressed his own unbiassed opinions on many interesting subjects withwhich he became acquainted during a residence of some years in theProvince. Much more might have been described, but the fewauthenticated facts now put forth will probably suffice, from theirnovelty and interest, to amuse the reader until greater leisure andfurther experience enable the Author to present a more comprehensivework.