The arrangements of the Institution seemed well adapted in many respects for this purpose. But the extensive nature of the plan did not meet the views of the Court of Directors, and in June 1802, their instructions were received for its abolition ; the period of which, however, the Governor-Gene ral delayed for various reasons till December 1803, having, in the meantime, addressed to the Direc tors a strong defence of the institution. In Ja. nuary 1804, instructions were received to conti nue it on its original footing. The institution accord ingly proceeded with new vigour. All promotion to the service was made through the college, and was regulated entirely by the merit of the students, among whom an unexampled emulation in literary pursuits had arisen. In four years from the time of its establishment, one hundred original volumes in the oriental languages and literature had been pub lished, and the plan of translating and printing the Scriptures in all the languages of the east had made great advances. In 1805, the students of the esta blishments of Madras and Bombay were separated from those of Calcutta ; in consequence of this re duction of the extent of the college, the duties of the Provost and Vice-Provost were united by a mi nute of the Governor and Council in one person, under the title of Provost ; and in January 1807, the offices of Provost and Vice-Provost were abolished; the Professorships were restricted to three,—those of the Hindostanee, Bengalee, and Perso-Arabic ; the period of attendance was reduced to one year; and all control over the private expences or conduct of the students was given up. On this reduced and limited footing the establishment still continues.
The population of Calcutta, which is stated by some to amount to 500,000, by others to 700,000, is composed of persons from every quarter of the world. British, and other Europeans, Armenians, Persians, Chinese, Hindoos, and Mahomedans, are all seen mixing in the streets of this metropolis. The occupations of these various classes are near ly what might be expected in the luxurious ca pital of a great Empire, and in so great an emporium of maritime commerce. Public officers, lawyers, physicians, merchants, and their families, make up the bulk of the British inhabitants. The natives and foreigners of respectability are mostly engaged in trade, or living upon their property, and the lower classes are principally composed of retail dealers, mechanics, and servants.
The British merchants form a most respectable class of men, and contribute essentially to the pro sperity of the settlement ; many of them are pos sessed of large fortunes, and live in a• style of suit able splendour. The Armenians are the most nu body of foreign merchants in Calcutta. • They trade extensively to. all parts of India and China, are undommonly diligent and attentive to and are considered . to have most mi nute intelligence from foreign ports of any other body of merchants. The native bankers, agents, and money-dealers, are numerous. Though former ly timorous, the Hindoo now- adventures in almost every species. of mercantile speculation ; and .cloths
belonging to the native merchants, to amount of L.1,000,000 Sterling, are' generally lying fbr sale in the warehouses of Calcutta. The native merchants of an inferior class, engross nearly the whole of the retail trade • of Calcutta, under the titles 'of Haldane, Sircars, and Writers ;. and they are generally de fond of money to excess, and moat un principled in all their dealings. • The cold season, which lasts from September to April, is generally allotted to amusement and feed.
• in Calcutta. It is only during part of this sea son that it is possible to venture abroad in the heat of the day, which, in the rest Of the year, is devoted to repose. The hot season begins in April. Every day the heat increases until the middle of June, when the periodical rains begin, and last till August. The wea ther then being extremely close, is more oppressive, and more unhealthy than before. The thermometer, throughout the year, generally ranges between 78° and 95°, but frequently rises to 100° and 110°.
The markets at Calcutta are open at day-break, and they afford, at very moderate prices, meat of every kind, and poultry, with various kinds of choice fish, fruits, and vegetables ; also game, such as wild ducks, partridges, 'snipes, &c. with various kinds of ortolan. The wild venison is not near ly so good as that of Britain, but the park or stall fed is equally good. The hare is very different from that of England, being defective in size, strength, and swiftness.
That sudden rise of the waters, termed the Bore, is quite common on the Hooghly, as well as on the other branches lhe Ganges. The general cause of this appearance is sufficiently understood, but it is not easy to eiplain the details. It is common on several of the rivers in England; it is also known on the waters of the Dordogne and Garonne in France, under the name of Mascaret, and in the Amazons' in South America, where it is termed • the Proruroco. It is an immense wave, which, in the Hooghly, heads • the spring flood-tide, travelling before it, at the rate of 80 miles an hour ; and, what is most singular, not occupying the whole breadth of the stream, but ranging along one of the banks, and crossing over to the 'opposite shore at every considerable bend of the river. It begins about 40 miles below Calcutta, and is felt, but with continually decreasing effect, nearly as far above it. At Calcutta it ranges on the opposite bank. The swell is iirodigious ; and, on its approach, all the small craft fly for safety to the middle of the river, ' where, though the swell is still considerable, they are not exposed to the same imminent danger. At Calcutta it often causes an instantaneous rise of the water of five feet.
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