When the Swami felt better, he decided to return to the plains for the spreading of his ideas. Back at Amritsar for two days, he had religious discussions with Rai Mulraj and other leading Arya Samajists.

Here also he was received at the station with honour. But he remained at Amritsar for only four or five hours, at the house of Mr. Todor Mall, Barrister-at-law. His deteriorating health made it imperative for him to retire without delay to Dharmsala, a delightful hill-station nearby. He went there with Mr. and Mrs. Sevier, and stayed for about seven or eight days. Except for meeting a few casual visitors, he spent the time quietly, as the guest of Bakshi Sohanlal, a pleader of the Chief Court of the Punjab.

On August 31 he left for Rawalpindi (now in Pakistan). Many people had gathered to give him a reception, and arrangements had been made for him to stay; but he left immediately for Murree (Pakistan) in company with the Seviers and his party, again in search of health.

The Swami's stay in Murree was brief. There were reasons enough why he should go on a short visit to Kashmir. Mr. and Mrs. Sevier had gone to Murree with the intention of accompanying him there; but they were compelled to remain behind, because Mr. Sevier suddenly fell ill. The day before the Swami left, a letter reached him from Mr. Sevier with this news. Eight hundred rupees in notes were enclosed for the expenses of the Swami's journey. The time was seven in the evening. The Swami turned to a friend and said with an anxious look, "What shall I do with so much money, Jogesh? We are fakirs; we are sure to spend it all if it is with us. Let me take, only half 'the sum; I think that ought to be sufficient for me and the brother-monks and disciples with me." Saying this he went to—, see Mr. Sevier and persuaded him to take back half the money.

Amritsar_x000d_ 2nd September, 1897_x000d_ {original in Bengali}_x000d_ My Dear Rakhal {Brahmananda},_x000d_ Yogen tells me in a letter to buy the house at Baghbazar for Rs. 20,000. Even if we buy that house, there are still a lot of difficulties; for example, we shall have to break it down in part and make the drawing room into a big hall, and similar alterations and repairs. Moreover the house is very old and ramshackle. However, consult Girish Babu and Atul and do what you decide to be best. Today I am leaving by the two o'clock train with all my party for Kashmir. The recent stay at Dharamsala Hills has improved my health much, and the tonsillitis, fever, etc. have completely disappeared._x000d_ From a letter of yours I got all the news. Niranjan, Latu, Krishnalal, Dinanath, Gupta, and Achyut are all going to Kashmir with me. _x000d_ The gentleman from Madras who donated Rs. 1,500 for famine relief wants an account of how exactly the money was expended. Send him such an account. We are dong more or less well._x000d_ Yours affectionately,_x000d_ Vivekananda_x000d_ PS. Give my love to all at the Math._x000d_ V.

On September 2 he reached Murree, where he was the guest of Mr Hansraj, a noted pleader. He was frequently invited to give public lectures, but the state of his health prevented his doing so. However, on invitation he visited the houses of some Bengali residents of the place and sang devotional songs at their request. In addition, several talks on religious subjects were given when he spoke about his ideas and plans for work in India.