I DEDICATE,

Firstly,

My gratitude to god—­
for his mercy in preserving me thus far,
and bringing me safely home after
several years service in India,
to meet again all (save one) those most
dear to me.

And Secondly,

My book to my parents,
with the certain and happy knowledge
that they will read without criticism
and only with affectionate interest,
the account of my thoughts and experiences
while wandering in A Remote
and lovely corner of
the earth.

EDITOR’S PREFACE.

In laying the following pages before the public, I do so with a feeling that they will be read with interest, not only by those who knew the writer, but those to whom the scenes described therein are known, and also those who appreciate a true description of a country which they may never have the good fortune to see.  We are all familiar with Kashmir in the “fanciful imagery of Lalla Rookh,” at the same time may not object to reading an account—­with a ring of truth in it—­of that lovely land, lovely and grand, beyond the power of poets to describe as it really is, so travellers say.  Readers will see that Mr. Foster intended to have published this Diary himself had he been spared to reach England, he has offered any apology that is necessary, so I will say nothing further than to state, the daily entries were kept in a pocket-book written in pencil, occasionally a word is not quite legible, that will account for any little inaccuracy.  After being two years at Elizabeth College, Guernsey, under the Rev. A. Corfe, Mr. Foster entered St. George’s Hospital, as Student of Medicine, he received there in his last year the “Ten Guinea Prize” for General Proficiency.  From St. George’s he went to Netley, and on leaving that he served for a short time in Jersey, with the 2nd Battallion 1st Royals, and 1st Battallion 6th Royals, after which he embarked for India, where from February, 1868, to the beginning of 1869, he served with the following Regiments, &c., 91st Highlanders, at Dum Dum; F Battery C. Brigade Royal Horse Artillery, at Benares; 27th Inniskillings, at Hazareebagh, Bengal Depot, Chinsurah; Detachment 58th Regiment, at Sahibgunge; Head-Quarters 58th Regiment, at Sinchal, again at the Bengal Depot Chinsurah; Head-Quarters 107th Regiment, at Allahabad; Detachment 107th Regiment, at Fort Allahabad; G Battery