The Asiatic society, which was instituted by Sir W. Jones, in 1784, for the purpose of enquiring into the his tory, antiquities, arts, sciences, and literature of Asia, offers to rival the Academy of Inscriptions at Paris, and its researches contain much valuable and useful informa tion upon subjects with which Europeans were formerly very little acquainted.
Situated in the midst of a flat and marshy country, and exposed to the tropical heats, Calcutta can never enjoy a salubrious atmosphere. At its first establishment as an European colony, the climate was almost equally destructive with that of Batavia ; and though now greatly ameliorated, by clearing away part of the trees and jungle in the vicinity, by draining some of the most offensive marshes, and by filling up many of the tanks in in the streets, it still proves a severe trial to European constitutions. Many fall a sacrifice to its first attacks, and more receive the seeds of a slow but certain de struction. " A sallow and livid complexion," says Dr Tennant, " is so universal, that when you behold a face of the roseate hue, you can pronounce that its owner is newly arrived, nearly with as much certainty as if you beard that part of his history from his own mouth." Of the numerous female adventurers who resort to this set tlement, with the hope of a speedy matrimonial connec tion, few retain beyond a season the bloom of health. Consumptions are very common among them ; and many, after remaining for years in a single state, are forced to abandon the forlorn hope, and return to Europe with a,n impaired constitution and the loss of beauty, often their only recommendation. Diseases, however, are not so prevalent in this city as formerly, which is owing more to the greater temperance in the use of spirituous liquors, and the superior construction of the houses, than to any material improvement in the atmosphere. The inhabi tants are now also better acquainted with the means of counteracting the effects of a had climate ; and from the increased knowledge of medicine, the nature and treat ment of the peculiar disorders of the country, have been more precisely ascertained. But notwithstanding these improvements, much still remains to be done with respect to their manner of living. No fashionable parties sit down to dinner before seven or eight at night, which, in this hot climate cannot fail to be prejudicial to the health, particularly when we consider that, even independent of a loaded stomach, it is at all times difficult to procure any thing like a refreshing sleep. In the numerous and gay society of t his capital, too many opportunities occur of exceeding the bounds of strict sobriety ; and though few people indulge less in this respect than the inhabi tants of Calcutta, yet the frequency of the application, often proves a most destructive enemy to the constitution. In 11 country ought the advice of the poet to be more strictly uUtered to : Calcutta was first erected into an European settlement in 1690, when Mr Job Charnock, the Company's agent in Bengal, obtained leave from the Mogul to remove the English factory from Hoogly ; he fixed upon this spot as the most proper for its new situation, without any regard either to the convenience of its approach, or the salubrity of the climate, but merely, it is said, on account of a large shady grove which stands in the vicinity. Notwithstanding its disadvantages, however, it gradually increased both in population and opulence ; and about the middle of the following century, fifty or sixty European vessels were annually loaded with rich cargoes at its port, besides other small craft trading to the adjacent countries. The colony had hitherto enjoyed the countenance and protection of the native powers, but on the death of the old Soubah, or viceroy of Bengal, in 1756, his adopted son, Suraja Dowlah, by whom he was succeeded, formed the design of driving the English -from the country. Led on by the hope of a rich plunder, which he supposed to be concealed in the fort of Cal cutta, he commenced hostilities upon the most frivolous pretences, and invested the English factory of Cossim bazar. Fraud and force were both employed for its reduction, which was soon accomplished, and the Soubah then marched to Calcutta with an army of 70,000 horse and foot, and 400 elephants. He was repulsed in repeat ed attacks upon the redoubts with great slaughter ; but the governor, Mr Drake, intimidated by the supe riority of his force, withdrew his troops from the out posts, and abandoning the city to the enemy, retired within the fort. In a council of war, it was that their ammunition was almost expended, and that what remained was scarcely sufficient for three days. In consequence of this information, Mr Drake, who declared himself a Quaker, with some principal persons residing in the settlement, and part of the garrison, took refuge on board the ships in the river. The command of the fort then devolved upon Mr Holwell, who, with a few brave officers and a feeble garrison, consisting only of 250 effective men, maintained it with uncommon bravery and resolution, against all the force of the Soubah. Their ammunition, however, being at last almost exhausted, and many of their numbers having fallen in the unequal conflict, Mr Holwell hung out a flag of truce ; and intended to avail himself of the opportunity to escape to the ships, but they had fallen several miles down from the fort, without leaving a single boat to facilitate the escape of its brave defenders. In this emergency also, before an answer could be received from the Soubah, the Dutch guard had betrayed their post, and had des livered up the back gate to the enemy, who rushing in, soon overpowered the garrison by their superior num bers. At an interview which Mr Holwell had with the Softball, that prince promised, on the word of a soldier, tnat no injury should be done to any of the prisoners. But, notwithstanding this solemn assurance, they were all driven, to the number of 146 persons, of both sexes, into a dungeon called the black hole, a cubical space of about 18 feet ; where, fatigued with hard duty, and many of them wounded, they were left to the torments of thirst and suffocation. Humanity shudders at the very idea Oh their miserable situation,—cooped up in a narrow cell, in a close sultry night, under such a climate as that of Bengal, without the least current of refreshing air. Two windows towards the west, which were strongly barred with iron, were the only openings at which the air could be admitted, and here there was no perceptible circulation. Enraged at finding themselves thus cruelly betrayed, they endeavoured to break open the door, determined rather to r lash upon the swords of the barbarians, than remain exposed to all eXcruciating death ; but the door being made to open inwards, all their eflOrts were unavail ing : I loiwell, NS ho stood at one of the windows, ac costed a jemmautdaar, or serjeant of the Indian guard ; and promised him a thousand rupees, if he would re move one half of them into a separate apartment. The soldier, allured by the ogler of such a reward. immediate ly retired for the purpose of obtaining permission from the Soubah, but the tyrant was asleep, and no person dared to disturb his repose. Despair and distraction now
seized upon these miserable sufferers. A profuse pe• spiration overspread every individual, and this was at tended with a raging thirst, which increased in proportion as the body was drained of its moisture. In vain they stripped themselves of their clothes ; in vain they sat down upon the ground, and put every hat in motion to produce a refreshing undulation. Many of them falling down, were instantly suffocated or trodden to death. A difficulty of respiration succeeded, and every surviving victim gasped for breath. New efforts were made to break open the door, but in vain. Execrations and abuse was then poured upon the guard, with the hopo of pro voking them to fire into the prison. Their sufferings now became. intolerable ; and the cry of a water ! water !" issued from every mouth. The jemmautdaar was even touched with pity at their distress, and ordered some skins of water to be brought ; but, the only way of con e-eying it being through the bars of time window, in hats, and every one struggling for a share, the greatest part of it was lost. While those who stood near the windows catched a little, none reached their companions at the other end of the prison, who besought them, in the most ing strains, to send them sonic relief. The water, however, instead of allaying the thirst of those that re ceived it, only heightened their delirium, and enraged their impatience for moire. A horrid scene of confusion nsucd. Such as were at a distance, rushed towards the window, crying out for water. In the contest, many were pressed down and trampled to death. The barba rians without laughed at their miseries, and as sup plied them with water, held tip lights to the bars that they might enjoy the inhuman pleasure of seeing their hapless victims contending for the baneful indulgence. It was about eight o'oclock when they were first entomb ed in this infernal place ; and before eleven, one third of them had perished. •Ir llolwell, who found himself so closely wedged up by the pressure towards the window, as to be incapable of motion, begged, as the last token of their regard, that he might be allowed to retire from the crowd and die in peace. Even here respect was shewn to his rank and character. The pressure was removed, and lie retired to the farther end of the prison, where, seeing many of his particular friends I) ing dead, he laid himself down among them, and recommended his soul to heaven. Ilis thirst, however, grew insupport able, his difficulty of breathing increased, and he was seized with a violent palpitation. Ile forced his wag back to the window, exclaiming, " Water, for God's sake !" His wretched companions again gave way, and manifested a proof of tenderness and attachment to his person, that could scarcely have been expected in such dreadful circumstances. " Give him water," they cried ; and though raving in ;agony, none of them touch it until he had drank. Being somewhat rt Bevel, the palpitation ceased ; but finding that water increased ra ther than diminished his thirst, he abstained from it, and moistened his mouth by sucking the perspiration Out of his shirt-sleeves, or catching the drops as they fell from his head and face." The rest Ian ing also discovered the pernicious effects of water, now grew clamorous for " air ;" and the most opprobrious abuse was repeated upon the Soubah, his officers, and the guard, in order to force them to lire. A general prayer was then directed to heaven to put a period to their misery. They now be gan to drop on all sides. Many died standing, being up held by the crowd around them ; and the steam which arose from the living as well as the dead, was so pun gent and insufferable, that all who could not approach the windows were suffocated. 111r llolyell had again retired ; and stretching himself by time side of the Rev. Mr Jervis Bellamy, (e% ho, with his son, a lieutenant, lay dead in each other's arms,) where he remained ed of sense, and to all appearance lifeless, until day break. Being then discovered by his surviving friends. he was removed to the window, where the fresh air re 1 ived him. The Solihull having been at last informed of the havoc which death had made upon his miserable victims, sent to inquire if the chief was still alive, and upon Mr llolwcll being shown to the officer, an order came immediately for their release. Of the 146 that entered alive, 23 only returned, and most of them in a high putrid fever. Even their deliverance, however, was dictated not by pity, but by avarice ; for the Sou bah had received intimation that Mr Holwell knew of a considerable treasure which was secreted in the fort ; and it was for the purpose of questioning that gentle man upon the subject, that he summoned him into his presence. Mr Ilolwell, however, solemnly declared that he knew of no such deposit ; but the inhuman rant would give no credit to his protestations, and order ed him, together with three of his friends, to be loaded with fetters, and conveyed to the Indian camp, about three miles distance. I lere they lay all night, under a heavy rain, and were marched back next morning to Calcutta, exposed to the scorching beams of a tropical sun. Thcv would infallibly have sunk under their affliction, had not nature expelled the fever in large painful boils, which almost the whole body. In this condition, they were carried in an open boat to Moorshedabad, the capital of Bengal, about 100 miles up the Ganges, where, after enduring the most cruel and opprobrious treatment, they were set at liberty, through the mediation of the Soubah's grandmother When the order was given for their release, some of the courtiers represented to the Suubah that Mr llolevell was still able to pay a considerable ransom ; he replied, with some marks of compunction, " if he has any thing left, let him keep it : his sufferings have been great ; he shall have his liberty." Having laid Calcutta in ruins, and dispersed its inhabitants, the Soubah stationed a strong garrison in the fort, and returned to his capital. This cruelty, however, was soon to be retaliated upon its inhuman author. In the following year, Admiral Wat son and Colonel Clive retook Calcutta ; and the latter officer having defeated the Indian forces at Hassey, marched to Moorshedabad, when Saraja Dowlah was deposed, and soon after put to death. His successor having entered into a firm alliance with the British, paid a vast sum to the Company and the sufferers at Calcutta, as an indemnification for their losses ; and the trade of this city being relieved from the high duties which had been formerly imposed upon it by the native princes, increased so rapidly, that Calcutta soon became the most flourishing European settlement in India. About twenty years ago, during a famine, the popula tion of this city was estimated at 500,000 ; but, accord ing to Lord Valentia, it now amounts to nearly 700,000. North lat. 22° 33', East long. 88° 28'. See Routers Memoirs ; Tennant's Indian Recreations, vol. i. p. 37, Ste. ; Lord Valentia's Travels, vol. i. p. 235, Ste. ; A Voyage to India, China, f..1'c. in 1803-1805, in Phillip's Coll. of Voyages, F.7' c. vol. v. ; and Foster's Travels, vol.
1. p. 9. (P)