Calcutta is the residence of the governor-general of India, and the seat of the supreme court of judicature, which consists of four judges, who dispense justice ac cording to the laws of England. The jurisdiction of this court embraces all the company's territories in this part of India, and also extends to every case, civil or criminal, that may occur upon the sea between the Co romandel and Malacca coasts. It does not, however, reach to the higher stations ; but in these the Euro pean settlers have come under an engagement to be amenable to its authority. The upright proceedings, and the decorum with which the business of. the court is conducted, have gained it the confidence of the inha bitants ; and though many of the company's servants, whose avarice or dissipation have led them to injustice, bear it a secret and rooted dislike, it has contributed greatly to the comfort and protection of the natives, and has in a manner raised them to an equality with Euro peans. That discretionary power, which the English formerly claimed over the Hindoos, and which, they contended, was absolutely necessary, in order to maintain subordination and obedience, is now completely abro gated. The I lindoo can appear in court without any fear of insult or violence, and rigidly demand the payment of his wages or accounts. If the debtor is unable to comply with Lis just demand, he feels gratified rather than hurt, that he can command the personal liberty of an Euro pean. The plea of colour, of country, or or religion, can avail nothing in the eyes of an upright judge : impartial justice is administered equally to all. l'ctty delinquen cies arc tried by a superintendant of police, and several inferior justices of the peace, who are Europeans ; and the peace of the city is maintained by a few companies of sepoys, who regularly patrole the streets.
Calcutta is the emporium of Bengal, and the channel through which the riches of the inland provinces pass to Europe. Ships belonging to every nation are seen in its harbour, and every mercantile speculation is carried on here with a zeal and activity equal to that of any other city in the world. Its foreign trade extends to every port of any note in Asia and Europe ; and the annual dealings of some houses has been estimated at two crores of rupees, about 2,400,0001. sterling. Its commerce in sugar, opium, silks, muslins, &c. is very considerable. Vast quantities of salt are exported to,,Asam, for which it receives gold, silver, ivory, musk, and a particular species of silky cotton. Cowry shells, which are used in the country as a small coin, are brought from the Mal dives in exchange for rice ; and fine muslins and calicoes form a principal article of exportation to Europe. The advantageous traffic, however, which formerly subsisted between this port, and Pegu, Siam, and the Malay is lands, and which consisted in the exchange of silver bullion, gold dust, and precious stones, for raw and wrought silks, coarse cotton cloths, opium, and saltpetre, is now very considerably diminished, and, according to Mr Forster, unless some favourable change is speedily effected, bears the appearance of a total failure. " The extent of the private trade of Calcutta," says Dr Ten nant, " cannot be estimated justly, either from the num bers or the burden of the ships belonging to that port. Till lately, there were only 60 that properly belonged to the British merchants here, and their burden was about 27,000 tons. But it is well known, that their concern in
foreign ships is very considerable." For a full account of the trade of Calcutta, we must refer our readers to the article INDIA.
Great difficulty and expence was formerly experienced at this port, in unshipping merchandize, from the want of a proper landing place. This of late has, in some de gree, been obviated by the erection of a quay in front of the custom-house ; and it has been proposed to carry the embankment the whole length of the town, which will undoubtedly be a great improvement. The dangerous navigation of.the Hoogly, however, is still a considerable drawback to the trade of Calcutta. The banks which infest the mouth of the river, and are formed by the sand and mud washed clown during the rains, are continually changing their situation and dimensions ; and it requires great attention, and almost constant sounding, to place the buoys in proper positions, so that vessels may not be misled when entering the river. This duty belongs to the pilot service, which is under the direction of the marine board, and is, in general, performed with great care. At the confluence of the Hoogly and Old Gan ges, there is a very dangerous shoal called the James and Mary, on which vessels are frequently lost, particu larly in light winds, when the stream is running strong on the flood into the latter river. Ships, when attempt ing to turn into the Boogly in such circumstances, are often carried upon the shoal, when they are upset in an instant, and arc rolled over and over in a most frightful manner.
The British merchants, who are not in the service of the company, constitute a numerous and respectable class of the community. ; and though many of those who be long to the civil and military departments of the govern ment effect a superiority over them, which they are en titled to, neither by their talents, opulence, nor charac ter. Several of these merchants have acquired large fOrtlITICti, and display an elegance and splendour in their mode of living, to which few of that order in society ever aspire. Among the foreign merchants, the Armenians approach nearest to the English in 'mother and respec tability, and also in their fondness for show and elegance. They are a peaceable and inoffensive people, regular and diligent in business, and much attached to the British government. Many of them are possessed of large ca pitals, and carry on an extensive trade to China, and to the ports towards the west as far as the Persian Gulf. The Moguls, however, are the most wealthy : and front the exorbitant rate of interest at which they let out their money, sonic of them draw an annual revenue amount ing to three times more than is yielded by any capital in Britain. But however rich, the Ilindoos still retain their narrow ideas, and parsimonious habits. Their houses and shops are mean and disagreeable ; and the only seasons when they launch out into any extraordi nary expellee are at marriages, and religious festivals. At these ceremonies the company, composed of all ranks and denominations, assemble under a large canopy illu minated with splendid lustres. Otto, rose-water, and other perfumes, are scattered with great profusion, and the sweetmeats are served in vessels of gold. These, with the monotonous drawls of singing girls, and some times a pantominiical performance, constitute the whole entertainment.