Ostrich Hill (Cave on the)

Herbert Daniel Gebauer - 06/01/2018

A so-called cave (Vetch, H 1831.03.30 letter: WATSON & WHITE 1832: 123-124) or, more likely, rock-fastness with a grave and a monument with the Latin inscription Multis ille bonis fleblis occidit, Nulli flebilior [sic! qua: fledilior] mihi (note 1). ETYMOLOGY: No autochthonous, indigenous or locally known name has been identified for this cave or caves on a beautiful green hill which British mercenaries in the pay of the Assam Light Infantry christened in the year 1831 Ostrich Hill … so named from the singular resemblance to that bird of a solitary tree near its top (Vetch, H 1831.03.30 letter). SITUATION: Unknown. On the one-hand side on the summit of the Ostrich Hill or on its top (Vetch, H 1831.03.30 letter) and on the other in an unspecified spatial relation not far from Nongkhlao (note 2) or Nongkhlaw (note 3), which lies at a travelling distance of 20 miles [or 32 km on horse back] west of Shillong (SHAKESPEAR, L W 1929: 11) in an area of metamorphic rocks (note 4). CULTURAL HISORY: … our poor friend [Lieut. Bedingfield] saying in his letter that I need -not be surprised to hear of his taking up a place on Ostrich Hill,- alludes to a beautiful green hill so named from the singular resemblance to that bird of a solitary tree near its top. This hill, from the noble prospect it commands, was a favourable spot with all who visited the place, in its more peaceful and happier days; but particularly Lieut. Bedingfield, who, on his last visit, seemed to have a presentiment that he would die there, and begged Dr. Beadon that he should be buried on the summit of the -Ostrich Hill.- … On the retaking of the place, his wish was complied with, and the mangled remains of himself and Lieut. Burlton were collected and buried, in one grave, in the caves on its top (Vetch, H 1831.03.30 letter to Watson, A in: WATSON & WHITE 1832: 124).A so-called cave (Vetch, H 1831.03.30 letter: WATSON & WHITE 1832: 123-124) or, more likely, rock-fastness with a grave and a monument with the Latin inscription Multis ille bonis fleblis occidit, Nulli flebilior [sic! qua: fledilior] mihi (note 1). ETYMOLOGY: No autochthonous, indigenous or locally known name has been identified for this cave or caves on a beautiful green hill which British mercenaries in the pay of the Assam Light Infantry christened in the year 1831 Ostrich Hill … so named from the singular resemblance to that bird of a solitary tree near its top (Vetch, H 1831.03.30 letter). SITUATION: Unknown. On the one-hand side on the summit of the Ostrich Hill or on its top (Vetch, H 1831.03.30 letter) and on the other in an unspecified spatial relation not far from Nongkhlao (note 2) or Nongkhlaw (note 3), which lies at a travelling distance of 20 miles [or 32 km on horse back] west of Shillong (SHAKESPEAR, L W 1929: 11) in an area of metamorphic rocks (note 4). CULTURAL HISORY: … our poor friend [Lieut. Bedingfield] saying in his letter that I need -not be surprised to hear of his taking up a place on Ostrich Hill,- alludes to a beautiful green hill so named from the singular resemblance to that bird of a solitary tree near its top. This hill, from the noble prospect it commands, was a favourable spot with all who visited the place, in its more peaceful and happier days; but particularly Lieut. Bedingfield, who, on his last visit, seemed to have a presentiment that he would die there, and begged Dr. Beadon that he should be buried on the summit of the -Ostrich Hill.- … On the retaking of the place, his wish was complied with, and the mangled remains of himself and Lieut. Burlton were collected and buried, in one grave, in the caves on its top (Vetch, H 1831.03.30 letter to Watson, A in: WATSON & WHITE 1832: 124).