CALCUTTA, the capital of Bengal, and of all the British possessions in India, is situated on the eastern bank of the Hoogly, which is navigable up to the city for the largest Indiamen. It extends fully three miles along the river, and is comparatively a modern built town, having risen, during the last century, from an in significant village called Govindpour, to its present state of grandeur. The houses of the English, which consti tute a particular quarter of the city, are constructed en tirely of brick, plastered over with Chunam, a species of mortar made from shells, which, when kept clean, ri vals the finest marble. They are, in general, detached from each mho', to give a freer circulation to the air in this hot climate, and have a very elegant appearance. Those of Clraringa road in particular, resemble more the palaces of monarchs than the houses of private gentle men and merchants. Their construction is also well adapted to the climate. The apartments are spacious and lofty, with large verandahs, where the family often sit and dine during the hot season. The approach is generally by a flight of steps, with great projecting por ticos, or surrounded by colonnades or arcades, which give them the appearance of Grecian temples. Very little furniture is used, as any thing that obstructs the circulation of the air is a great inconvenience ; and there is scarcely a ceiling in all Calcutta. The Black town, however, which is inhabited by the natives, presents a striking contrast to the beauty of the other. It is like most towns in India, which, according to 'Air Reline!, are " all built upon one plan, with exceeding narrow, confined, and crooked streets, with an incredible number of reservoirs and ponds, and a great many gardens in terspersed. A few of the streets are paved with brick. The houses are variously built : some of brick, others with mud, and a still greater proportion with bamboos and mats ; and these different kinds of fabrics, standing intermixed with each other, form a motley appearance. Those of the latter kind are invariably of one story, and covered with thatch. Those of brick seldom exceed two floors, and have flat terraced roofs. The former classes far outnumber the last, which are often so thinly scattered, that fires, which often happen, do not some times meet with the obstruction of a brick house through a whole street." The citadel of Fort William, which stands about a quarter Of a mile from the city, upon the same side of the river, is a magnificent work, but much too extensive for defence. It is built in the form of a pentagon, with several outworks, and is laid out in squares and regular buildings, interspersed with groves of trees, which afford a comfortable shelter from the noontide heat. It contains bomb-proof barracks for 10,000 men, and would require 600 pieces of cannon to mount all the works, which, however, are guarded by mines and countermines. The whole is surrounded with a ditch, into which water can be introduced from the river, by means of flood-gates, to the height of 8 feet. This fortress was commenced by Lord Clive in 1757,, immediately after the victory of Plassey, and was in tended as a tenable post in ease of extremity ; and to prevent a repetition of such insults and cruelties towards the British, as were experienced by Mr Ilol well and his unfortunate companions, upon the taking of Calcutta in 1756 by the Soubah of Bengal. It
commands a most extensive prospect on every side ; and all ships that pass up or down the lloogly are exposed to its fire.
Between Fort William and the city is a level plain called the esplanade, where the inhabitants of all ranks and descriptions daily resort for air and exercise. From day-break, until the sun has got to some height above the horizon, it is crowded with Europeans and natives, who conic to enjoy the cool air of the morning ; and, in the evenings, it presents a grand display of equipage and beauty, with every variety of vehicle and complexion; front the coach and four to the one horse chaise, with the palankeens and hackcries of the natives ; and the Clark Hindoo and tawny Moor contrasting with the fair and florid countenances of the English. On the west side of the esplanade stands the new government erected by the Marquis of 'Wellesley. It is a noble and beautiful structure, worthy to be the residence of the head of a great empire. Over the four colossal arches or gates that lead to it, are placed sphinxes, with various figures and emblems ; and over the eastern and western gates are emblazoned the king's and company's arms. " With respect to the interior of the building," says a modern author, " any adequate idea of it cannot be con veyed by words : the eye, not the car, must be the me dium of communication. The marble hall, in particu lar, brought to my mind many of the glowing descrip tions in the Arabian Tales, of enchanted castles, Re. and indeed I could scarcely persuade myself, that I was not treading on magic ground, all the time I was wander ing through it." The old fort, which is situated near the centre of the town, has been converted into a custom house ; and the " black hole" is now part of a go-down, or warehouse. In front of the gate, is a handsome stone obelisk about 50 feet high, which was erected by Mr Holwell to the memory of his fellow prisoners, with whose names it is inscribed. It records also the infamy of those, who, by removing their ships from the vici nity of the fort, left so many brave men at the mercy of a tyrant. The other public buildings of Calcutta are the court house, over which are two handsome assembly rooms ; the Armenian church, and one English church! In the middle of the city is a large reservoir, or tank, dug by order of government, in order to supply the in habitants with water during the dry season, as the water of the Hoogly is then rendered brackish by the influx of the tide. It covers upwards of 25 acres of ground ; and the number of springs which it contains preserves the water always sweet and fresh, and nearly at the same level. A rail is placed round it ; and though no person is allowed to wash in it, yet all are at liberty to take as much water as they please.