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so narrow as scarcely to admit two people abreast, and many of them without light.

Elephant fighting seems to be a popular diversion at Jypore; we saw several elephants at the palace, of a most enormous size, and so savage as not to admit the mahouts to approach them. In the rear of the city are some very pretty gardens and summer-houses, surrounded by groves of orange trees, and cooled by fountains playing around them; and a number of very elegant light marble temples give the whole scene an appearance of such beauty, as well nigh to make you doubt its reality. Jypore is not celebrated for excellence in any description of manufacture; it has no corn or other articles with which to carry on a trade; I am therefore at a loss to understand whence arises its prosperity and wealth, for it certainly is, as it appears, a rich and thriving city. Some very pretty toys, &c. &c. were formerly carved in marble in a most superior style, but for some time they have evidently fallen off, and now very few, and those quite inferior, and at an advanced price, are procurable.

Ameer, the former capital of the province, is situated in a small valley, entirely surrounded by lofty hills, which are similarly fortified to those round Jypore, from which place it is distant about five miles, nearly north. The road to it lies over a very difficult pass in the rear of the city, which, for the convenience of communication, has been paved, but nevertheless the road is naturally so bad as to be scarcely passable.

The palace, which since the death of the late Raja has been uninhabited, is going fast to decay. It is situated half way up a particularly high hill, on the top of which, just over the palace, is an apparently strong fort, but of course I had no opportunity of ascertaining that point precisely. Report had spoken of the palace of Ameer, as far superior to the new one in magnificence and elegance of appearance; but from personal inspection I can speak confidently to the inaccuracy of the report, and the whole party coincided in opinion. And yet, to do it justice, the Dewan Khas is much handsomer, and the whole of the marble is of a purer nature, and even the workmanship in some particulars is undoubtedly superior; yet the whole design of the building is far less grand and elegant. The decorations of the apartments are too gaudy to be ad

mired by good taste, still there is much to be seen at Ameer to recompense a traveller for the fatigue of coming from Jypore. Just below the palace is the city, which appears to have been handsome, though of course much deserted, and therefore falling to decay. The pucka buildings are numerous, and give the place an air of magnificence; but there is none of that regularity and uniformity which so materially improve Jypore; after seeing which, the appearance of Ameer would have afforded as little amusement as pleasure, we did not therefore minutely examine, which may account for the paucity of my remarks on it.

Of Jypore I have little more to say; my stay there was too short to enable me minutely to inspect it, or several places in its vicinity well worth seeing; of the city itself, what little I have said will, I hope, serve to give you some idea of it. Circumstances obliged me to hurry through the palace, without allowing myself time to examine many things highly deserving of attention, and the same cause compelled me to leave the place without seeing the Huwa Muhul observatory, and other great curiosities in the city and its vicinity, a description of which would, I am sure, have interested you. I trust, though, that some of your correspondents in that part of the country will oblige you with further particulars regarding the city and its neighbourhood, more entertaining than it has been in my power to give you. Of the climate and soil of the province of Jypore I have hitherto said nothing; in hopes, however, of a short account of them proving useful, I will as briefly as possible make known to you what has come to my knowledge on the subject. The soil throughout the country is extremely and unpleasantly sandy, and strongly impregnated with salt, a great quantity of which is collected and exported from thence. Judging from the appearance of the crops in the vicinity of villages, and wherever there is a plentiful supply of water, I conclude that the soil is decidedly favourable to agriculture, where the earth is unincumbered with rock and kunkur. I have seldom remarked a more luxuriant cultivation than I saw close to the walls of the city of Jypore: but my observations were by no means confined to that spot, or even to its neighbourhood. Were the population at

all adequate to the cultivation of the country, and the ryots protected from violence and oppression, I have little doubt the greater part of Rajpootana, miserable as it now is, might be converted into as fine a corn country as any in India. Gram, wheat, barley, and even oats, might be cultivated to great advantage, and, with salt, saltpetre, and other trifling articles, be exported, to balance the importation of a number of comforts, and even necessaries which are much required.

The climate is beyond a doubt healthythe rains are delightful; whilst they last, the weather is temperate, very frequently sufficiently so to make a cloth coat essential to comfort. At that season a westerly wind prevails: whereas in the Duwab, and I believe throughout the provinces, an easterly wind constantly blows. The cold weather is very pleasant, althought somewhat foggy at times. The mornings and evenings are extremely cold; but during the day the heat is considerable, from the reflexion of the sun's rays by the rocks and sand. The hot season, although perhaps the healthiest, is certainly the most unpleasant period, and the heat is generally intolerable. The hot wind blowing over

such an extent of parched country, burning sands and rocks, is particularly distressing, but the greatest annoyance is the high winds which prevail at the season. From the beginning of February to the beginning of July, for a fortnight and three weeks together, it blows day and night, without intermission, a complete gale of wind, and the quantity of burning sand which it raises, so as absolutely to obscure the sun, is most overpowering. No exertion can keep it out of the house, it penetrates the best doors; it mixes with your food, which is generally in the proportion of one-fourth sand;-if you venture to open the door, you are nearly buried alive with sand; and if you close it, you are half killed by the heat. But still with all these disadvantages it is a healthy season, as is the climate generally, and from what I have seen I still hope that the time may come, when a great improvement in the state of this extensive province may take place. A mild, generous, and wise government will effect this by affording its protection and support to the ryots, and I may yet have it in my power some years hence to inform you, that my hopes and wishes relative to Rajpootana have been realized,

MILITARY ADVENTURERS.

IN REPLY TO VERITAS.

To the Editor of the Asiatic Journal.

SIR: I lately perused a letter signed Veritas, in your Journal for December, complaining of the great allowances granted to some young men, whom he designates "Adventurers," employed in military situations under the orders of the British Residents in the service of the native Princes; this he states, as truly disheartening, and a deep and lasting injury to the Company's Officers. Various other reasons are also adduced in support of his argument; but as they more properly belong to the consideration of the State, whose interests he even goes so far as to pronounce in danger, I shall leave the decision upon such topics to its superior wisdom, and by the simplest statement in my power endeavour to eradicate all cause for alarm.

Veritas calculates the number of the adventurers to be thirteen. Is it possible that the employment of these few young men, in a service distinct from their own, can occasion a deep and lasting injury to the Company's Officers? Having the honour to belong to the latter body, I know them to be composed of more generous materials than to concur in the principles upon which the arguments of Veritas are founded.

Supposing each of these thirteen individuals to receive 1000 rupees a month from the treasury of a native Prince, in what manner can it affect the Company's Officers? But Veritas states it to be a deep and lasting injury. Let him produce an instance where people of a similar description

inclination ceases, they have no pensions, no rewards for past services, no honours from the crown, nothing but the wide world to range over, with Providence for their guide. And how frequently the troops of a native Prince are many months in arrear, and how often the Princes have consequently been kept in a state of dhurna, is shewn by all writers upon India affairs.

now retain their situations and salaries, who have been hitherto employed by any of the native Powers, and he may have credit for the assertion. He will not find them with Scindea, for they have long been discharged; nor with Holkar, for he beheaded some, and thus effectually deterred others from entering his service; nor with the Peishwa, as he is a state prisoner: where, then, is the mighty cause of alarm, or necessity for depriving thirteen individuals of a subsistence, not perhaps, for themselves only, but for aged parents, and a distressed wife and family?

The number of officers in the Ma dras army may be estimated at 1500, each of whom, from the Lieut.Colonel to the Lieutenant, receives from 704 to 201 rupees a month, and a considerable portion of them have much more from staff appointments, the emoluments of which they are permitted to receive in addition to that of their regimental rank. This is their state whilst in India. At the expiration of twenty-two years' actual service, each officer has the option of retiring on a pension for life, according to the pay of his rank (he being by that time a Lieut. Colonel), 3657. a-year; if he survives the effects of a hot, unhealthy climate, and other contingencies incident to a military life, and continues until he obtains a regiment, he is permitted to pass the remainder of his days in his native country, upon the full pay of Colonel, and the off-reck onings of his regiment, which united are never less than 12007. per annum. All this is well secured to the Company's Officers, from a service established on a most permanent foundation, in addition to which, they participate in common with his Majesty's officers, in cases of conspicuous conduct in the honours emanating from the crown. How different the situation of the thirteen envied adventurers! They each receive, or are promised, from 600 to 1000 rupees a month, so long as the Prince thinks proper to employ them; but when that

I will here ask Veritas, how far it is certain, that the Company's Officers would be benefited by depriving the thirteen gentlemen in question of their situations? Whilst they retain them, there is still one door open for a small number of our distressed, and I do not see why they should not be respectable and worthy, countrymen; perhaps even for some meritorious relative or connexion of Veritas himself, who may have sufficient interest to obtain for him that appointment, though not able to procure it in the Company's regular service; but should the door be once shut by the influence of the India Government, it will then form a part of their settled system, and be shut for ever.

What was the situation of the Company's Officers whilst the Peishwa was at the head of his government? A large subsidiary force, with considerable staff upon handsome allowances, was maintained by the Prince, and also a considerable body of additional troops and irregulars, officered by Europeans of the Company's military service, upon still greater allowances; the former of these are now reduced to their simple pay and batta, and the latter are altogether abolished. There is a large body of troops subsidized by the Guicawar, who, for some reason or other, have never received any thing beyond garrison allowances at the head-quarters of his Government, though it is understood field allowances were particularized when a portion of territory, now said to yield double the original amount, was made over for the payment of it. Rigid economy, in every sense of the word, is

therefore the present leading principle of the India Government; and, though the salaries granted to these thirteen gentlemen do not immediately issue from the Company's treasury, it ultimately may; and Veritas's letter may probably raise a suspicion, that it will do so, and on that event, he may find that he has made a bed of thorns for himself to lie upon, when all he will have secured, will be the wish of the thirteen gentlemen that he may long enjoy his repose.

I now hope that Veritas will be convinced, if what he complains of is an evil, that it cannot be removed without injuring those who are more properly objects for his kindness, and as it is not likely to benefit the service, that the remedy will prove worse than the disease. On the other hand, whilst the Company holds the monopoly of such a vast extent of territory in the East-Indies, is it wise to agitate matters of this nature? Will not others find much greater reason for complaint? The Company's service is, in my opinion, the best in the world; from self

interest I may sincerely hope it will long remain so; but even self-interest shall be no obstacle to the exertion of my humble talents, where I think them likely to benefit my countrymen in distress. In times like these, where so many King's Officers on half-pay and with large families have scarcely the means of living, in lieu of more cadets to fill up vacancies in the Company's Corps, I would suggest, with deference, that a regulation might be adopted in favour of the requisite number of half-pay officers from His Majesty's service. The interests of the two services would thus become more united, and all, or at least one material cause of that jealousy which occasionally breaks forth, would be eradicated.

Divide et impera, was the favourite motto of a gallant King's Officer, in which I fully agree; and in equal justice to the Company's, see no reason why each establishment should invariably have a King's, and never a Company's Officer appointed Commander-in-Chief. A COMPANY'S OFFICER.

INTERNAL NAVIGATION IN INDIA.

Extract from a Plan lately submitted to Government for the formation of an easy and permanent communication by water, between the Upper and Eastern Provinces of India and Calcutta, during the dry

season.

quence, produced similar unsuccessful results.

In Europe, and particularly in Great Britain, canal navigation of late has been brought rapidly to a degree of perfection, which, a century back, could scarcely have been anticipated by even the most sanguine. Much has consequently been written and said on the subject, and certain rules and axioms, derived from extensive experience, established; but, however suitable they may be to the countries in which they were formed, they must fail in others where they cannot be applied under similar cir

cumstances.

THE want of a free navigation between the Eastern and Upper Provinces and Calcutta, during the months of January, February, March, April, and May, when most of the rivers which branch off from the Ganges become too shallow for large boats, has long been felt, and considerable expense has been incurred to remedy the evil, but hitherto without effect, every succeeding year bringing with it additional complaints of the obstructed state of the rivers, and the increased delay in the navigation. Various plans have been contemplated, and resorted to: but they all appear to have been founded on one and the same erroneous theory; and have, in conse- takes place. There is no difficulty or ob

In Europe, the greatest difficulty opposed to the establishment of canals, lies in carrying a sufficent body of water over great inequalities of ground, by means of locks: but when once formed, they will remain unaltered for ages. In the plains of Bengal, on the contrary, the very reverse

stacle in forming a canal, the country being one uniform flat, and the soil easy of excavation. The grand point required, therefore, is to preserve the canal in a navigable state, after it is once formed. Before proceeding to the plan proposed, it will be shewn, that the difficulty of keeping a canal open in the higher parts of Bengal is so great, as to oppose an insurmountable obstacle to success; the beds of the Ganges and its dependent streams having, in that part of the country, a natural tendency to be constantly changing or filling up.

Both Major Rennell and Colonel Colebrooke, who, of all others, have paid the most attention to the subject, are decidedly of this opinion. The former observes, "I can easily suppose, that if the Ganges was turned into a straight canal, cut through the ground it now traverses in the most winding parts of its course, its straight ness would be of short duration. Some yielding part of the bank, or that which happened to be the most strongly acted on, would first be corroded or dissolved: thus a bay or cavity would be formed on the side of the bank.

This begets an inflexion of the current, which, falling obliquely on the side of the bay, corrodes it incessantly. When the current has passed the innermost part of the bay, it receives a new direction, and is thrown obliquely towards the opposite side of the canal, depositing in its way the matter excavated from the bay, and which begins to form a shallow or bank contiguous to the border of the canal. Here then is the origin of such windings as owe their existence to the nature of the soil. The bay, so corroded, in time becomes large enough to give a new direction to the body of the canal; and the matter excavated from the bay is so disposed, as to assist in throwing the current against the opposite bank; where a process, similar to that I have been describing, will be begun. The action of the current on the bank will also have the effect of deepening the border of the channel near it; and this again increases the velocity of the current in that part. Thus would the canal gradually take a new form, till it became what the river now is. Even when the windings have lessened the descent one-half, we still find the current too powerful for the banks to withstand it."*

* Vide Rennell's Memoir, p. 214.

In another place, speaking of the changes which happen in the beds of the Ganges, he says, "The experience of these changes should operate against attempting canals of any length in the higher parts of the country; and I much doubt if any in the lower parts would long continue navigable.”*

Colonel Colebrooke also observes on the cuts made in the Baugretty to straighten its course:" There is, however, no other advantage in making such cuts, than rendering the passage somewhat shorter by water; and it is a question worth consider. ing, whether, by shortening the course of any river, we may not render it less navigable: for the more a river winds, the slower will be its current, and consequently its waters will not be drained off so soon. Another effect of the shortening its course might be, that, owing to the greater rapidity of the current acting against the sides in a loose soil, it might too much enlarge the capacity of its bed, the effect of which would be, to produce a proportional degree of shallowness in the middle of the stream."+

The fact of the Baugretty, the Jellinghie, and the Matabanga rivers having been unnavigable for many late seasons, notwithstanding the expense and labour which have at different times been bestowed to keep their channels open, is of itself a most convincing proof of the inutility of attempting to form any permanent communication between the Ganges and the Baugretty, or Hoogly, by their means; and the fate of all cuts of communication between their occasionally-obstructed heads and the great river, may be conjectured from that which was made near the Sooty, to join the Ganges and Baugretty. When first opened it was only a few yards wide; but the stream was no sooner admitted, than it quickly expanded to as many hundred, and two years after its completion not a trace of its existence remained; the middle of one of the principal streams of the Ganges is now pointed out as the spot where the excavation had been made.

It often happens that, in the pursuit of a

* Major Rennell in this place alludes particu larly to the tract of country at the head of the Jellinghie, and Matabanga Rivers, on the right bank of the Ganges; and generally to such parts of Bengal where similar changes to what he describes are observed in the beds of the river.

† Asiatic Reseaches, vol. vii, p. 26.

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