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HINDOO ASTRONOMY.

We are happy to observe, by the prospectus published, that the result of Mr. Bentley's further researches into the Hindoo astronomy is about to be given to the public.

Mr. Bentley was the first person who called in question the generally admitted antiquity of the Hindus, and he supported his opinion with the greatest ingenuity, by reasons derived from an intimate acquaintance with the systems of Hindu astronomy. This opinion has received the sanction of the celebrated La Place, who observes in his "Systême du Monde," that "the Indian Tables shew rather an advanced state of astronomy; but every thing leads to a conclusion that they are not of high antiquity."-" Several elements, such as the equations of the centre of Jupiter and Mars, are very different in the Indian tables from what they ought to be at the epoch supposed: the general appearance of these tables, and above all the conjunction of the planets assumed, prove that they have been constructed, or at least corrected, in modern times." But the last paper on this subject with which Mr. Bentley has favoured the public, was published in 1805, since which time, no further account of his interesting researches has been communicated to the Asiatic Society; the work, therefore, that is announced in his prospectus, must, from the known abilities and acquirements of the author, afford the greatest gratification to all who have directed their attention to inquiries respecting the origin and antiquity of nations.

Mr. Bentley has thus stated the conclusion which he thinks irresistibly results from these researches, in the 8th vol. of the Transactions of the Asiatic Society. "In the first place, it must be evident, as the artificial system of Brahma Gupta, now called the Calpa of Brahma, and to which the modern Hindus have artfully transferred their history, is not yet 1300

years old; no book whatever, let its name or title be what it will, in which the monstrous periods of that system, or any allusion to them, is found, can possibly be older than its invention. And, secondly, that none of the modern romances, commonly called the Puranas, at least, in the form they now stand, are older than 684 years; the time when the fourteenth Manwantara of the second system of the Graha Munjari ended; but that some of them are the compilations of still later times." A very interesting question would hence arise, which is, whether reasoning founded on astronomical or historical data is entitled to the greatest credibility; for the data assumed by Mr. Bentley, is rather more than one hundred years after the invasion of India by Mahmud of Ghaznin, from which period, the actual state of India became in a very considerable degree know to Muhammadan historians; and within two hundred years after which, the whole of Hindustan Proper and Bengal had been reduced under the Muhammadan authority. Thus, according to Mr. Bentley's hypothesis, Hindu literature either must have acquired its present form in the short period of one century, while the Hindu principalities were contending for their very existence; or it must owe its origin entirely to the peninsula. But the last supposition is contradicted by the Hindus themselves. Under these circumstances, therefore, it must excite much curiosity to ascertain the manner in which Mr. Bentley supports an opinion that seems so inconsistent with every thing which has been hitherto discovered respecting the Hindus and should even his researches, when critically examined, not convey to others the conviction which they have impressed on his mind, still the data thus furnished, particularly when derived from a language so little known as Sanscrit, will always be of the highest value.— [Bom. Cour.

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An Actount of the present State of the English Settlers in Albany, South Africa. By Mr. Pringle, of Cape Town.

FRENCH PUBLICATIONS.

Le Propagateur Haïtien, Journal politique et littéraire, publié par plusieurs Haïtiens. 4to.

La Chaumière Africaine, ou Histoire d'une famille Française jetée sur la côte occidentale de l'Afrique, à la suite du naufrage de la Méduse; par Mme. Dard née Charlotte Adélaïde Picard, l'une des naufragées de la Méduse. Paris 1824.

Architecture Arabe, ou Monumens du

Kaire, dessinés et mesurés pendant les années 1820, 1821, et 1823; par P. Coste, architecte. 1re livraison. Paris 1824.

Lettre à M. Champollion le jeune, relative à l'affinité du Cophte, avec les langues du Nord de l'Asie et du Nord-est de l'Europe, par M. Klaproth. Paris, 1823.

Notice Géographique sur le pays de Nedjd, ou Arabie Centrale, et sur la carte de ce pays, comprenant l'Egypte et les autres contrées occupées en 1823 par les troupes de Mohammed Aly, Vice-roi d'Egypte, pour servir à l'intelligence de l'histoire de l'Egypte sous le Gouvernement de Mohammed Aly; par M. E. Jomard, de l'Institut. Paris, 1823.

Asiatic Intelligence.

CALCUTTA.

GOVERNMENT ORDER.

LOANS TO NATIVE PRINCES.

Political Department, Oct. 17, 1823. The following extract from a letter from the Hon. the Court of Directors, under date the 9th April 1823, is ordered to be published for general information.

Par. 3. "You will observe that we are advised by these high legal authorities, that the restriction contained in the 30th Section of the Act 13 Geo. III. Cap. 63, which restrains the rate of interest to 12 per cent., extends to contracts made as well in those parts of the EastIndies, which are not under the Govern ment of the East-India Company, as in those which are; the same restriction extends to loans made to native Princes and Governments in the East-Indies, as well as to those made to individuals, whether the contracts for such loans be made or carried into execution within or beyond the territories under the Government of the East-India Company. That the same restriction extends to loans made under a licence from the Governments in India, pursuant to the 37th Geo. III. Cap. 142, Sec. 28, and that it is not lawful for a mercantile or banking partnership, consisting partly of natives of India, and partly of European-born subjects of his Majesty, to make a loan to a native prince, contrary to the Provisions of 37 Geo. III. Cap. 142, Sect. 28, whether the contract for such loan be made or carried into execution, within or beyond the territories under the Government of the East-India Company, that in either case the contract of the house would be void, and that the European-born partners would be liable to be prosecuted for a misdemeanour.

Par. 4. "We desire that you will
Asiatic Journ.-No 109.

cause this explanation and instruction to be made public, and that you will institute prosecutions against all persons in any way contravening the law as thus explained." By command of the Right Honourable the Governor General in Council, GEO. SWINTON,

Sec. to the Govt.

COURT MARTIAL

ON LIEUT. C. H. HERIOT, 4th REGT. L.C. Head-Quarters, Cawnpore, Oct. 24, 1823.

At an European General Court Martial assembled at Neemuch, on Friday, the 5th day of September 1823, of which Lieutenant Colonel Penny, 2d battalion 16th Regiment Native Infantry, is President, Lieutenant Charles William Heriot of the 4th Regiment Light Cavalry was arraigned upon the undermentioned charges, viz.

1st. "For having at Neemuch, shortly after the closing of a Monthly Military Court, assembled on or about the 12th of November 1822, and before which certain bazar debts of his (Lieutenant Heriot's) became the subject of investigation, falsely stated to Captain Engleheart, the President of the said Court, that Lieutenant Colonel Lumley, the Commanding Officer of the Station, had promised to tear the proceedings of the Court the moment they were received, such assertion being a direct violation of truth and highly dis.. graceful to the character of an officer and gentleman.

2d. "For conduct unbecoming thecharacter of an officer and gentleman, in having on or about the 11th of November 1822, beaten and ill-treated and suffered to be ill-treated, a native butcher who had applied for payment of his bill, previous to his (Lieutenant Heriot's) leaving the station, and which demand was subseVOL. XVII.

4 Q

quently adjudged by the said Monthly Court to be just and reasonable.

3d. "For having at the same time and place, on the occasion of the said native butcher expressing his intention of complaining to the general officer commanding the division, of the ill-usage he had received, made use of the following expressions: You have no business to mention the General's name here, he has no business with my private affairs,' or words to that effect; such conduct being highly disrespectful and contemptuous to the authority of his superior officer, and subversive of military discipline."

Upon which charges, the Court came to the following decision :

Finding." The Court having maturely weighed the evidence for the prosecution, and the matter which the prisoner has alleged in his defence, is of opinion that he is guilty of the 1st Charge, and that he is also guilty of the 2d Charge, with the exception of the words, conduct unbecoming the character of an officer and gentleman.'

"With respect to the 3d Charge, the Court is of opinion that the prisoner is guilty of having used the words imputed to him, but acquits him of intentional disrespect."

Sentence. The Court having found the prisoner guilty of the 1st Charge, and also of so much of the 2d and 3d Charges as is specified in the finding, sentences him, Lieutenant Charles William Heriot, of the 4th Regiment Light Cavalry, to be dismissed from the service." Not Confirmed.

(Signed) Enw. Paget, General, Commander-in-Chief in India. Although the Commander-in-Chief concurs in the view of this case taken by the Court, still he is of opinion that there was so decided an irregularity on its part, in admitting as evidence, the proceedings of a Court of Award, which Court of Award had acted illegally in administering an oath (though at his own request) to Lieutenant Heriot, by which anomalous proceeding, the prisoner is placed in the position of appearing as an evidence on oath (and that oath illegally administered) against himself, that His Excellency has determined not to confirm the sentence of the General Court Martial.

Lieutenant Heriot is accordingly to be released from his arrest; but having more than sufficiently proved himself unfit to perform the duties of his station, and it having been represented to Sir Edw. Paget by the Court that the state of his health is deplorable, he having been deprived of the use of both hands and feet by a paralytic affection, the Commander-in-Chief has decided to submit to Government, his recommendation that he may be removed to the Invalid Pension List. [Vide p. C60.]

CIVIL APPOINTMENTS.
Judicial Department.

Oct. 9. Mr. S. G. Palmer, Assistant to
Magistrate and to Collector of Sarun.
Nov. 6. Mr. S. Paxton, Register of
Zillah Court at Furrackabad.

Dec. 4. Mr. T. R. Davidson, Second Register of 24 Pergannahs.

Mr. James Armstrong, Second ditto of Zillah Court at Rajeshahy.

Mr. Augustus Prinsep, Register of ditto ditto Agrah.

11. Mr.W. Dampier, Assistant to Magistrate and to Collector of Dacca.

Mr. John Lewis, Register of Zillah Court at Tipperah.

Mr. J. Thomason, an Assistant in office of Register of Sudder Dewanny Adawlut and Nizamut Adawlut.

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MILITARY APPOINTMENTS,
PROMOTIONS, &c.

Fort William, Nov. 14, 1823. - 16th Regt. N. I. Ens. F. Hewitt to be Lieut. from 27th Oct. 1823, vice Macdonald, deceased.

Med. Depart. Assist. Surg. J. Fallowfield to be full Surg. from 27th Sept. 1823, to complete establishment.

Lieut. J. Paton, 29th N.I., to be a Dep. Assist. Quart. Mast. Gen. of sd class, to complete department of Quart.Mast. General of Army.

Messrs J. S. Sullivan and A. W. Steart admitted Assist. Surgeons.

Brev. Capt. D. Mason, 25th N.I., and Brev Capt. A. White, 30th N.I., returned to do duty without prejudice to rank.

Assist. Surg. J. S. Sullivan to perform Medical duties of Civil Station of Beerbhoom, vice Assist. Surg. Carte returned to Military branch of Service.

Lieut. Col. J. Paton, Commis. Gen., permitted to retire from duties of office, and appointed to a seat at Military Board.

Lieut. Col. Paton to be an Honorary Aide-de-Camp to Governor General.

Maj. Cunliffe, Dep. Com. Gen., to be Commis. General, and Capt. Lumsdaine, Assist. Com. Gen., to be Dep.Com. Gen. in succession to Lieut. Col. Paton, retired.

Assist. Com. Gen. Capt. Peach will relieve Capt. Lumsdaine from duties of Supervisor to establishment at Hissar,

Ordnance Depart. Dep. Com. Lieut. L. Burroughs to be Commissary, and Lieut. E. B. Gowan, of Artillery, to be a Dep. Commissary of Ordnance, in succession to Capt. J. McDowell proceeded to Europe.

Commis. Capt. W. G. Walcott removed from Nagpore to Saugor Magazine. Commis. Lieut. Burroughs posted to Nagpore Magazine.

Dep. Commis. Lieut. E. P. Gowan posted to Magazine at Mhow.

Head-Quarters, Oct. 29, 1823.- Officers posted.-Lieut. Col. Com. U. Yule, C.B., to 2d regt. N. I.; Lieut. Col. T. D. Broughton to 2d bat. 10th ditto; Lieut. Col. G. Richards to 1st bat. 32d ditto; Lieut. Col. H. Hodgson to 2d bat. 12th ditto; Lieut. Col. G. Sargent to 1st bat. 7th ditto; Maj. C. Ryan and Capt. J. Campbell to 2d, and Lieut. W. Innes to 1st bat. 12th ditto.

Lieut. (Brev. Capt.) J. Read removed from 1st to 2d bat. 12th regt.

Lieut. Mackintosh, 2d bat. 22d N.I., directed to join and do duty with 1st bat. N.I. at Benares, until arrival of his

own corps.

Lieut. T. Smith, 34th N.I., Act. Adj. to Left Wing of 2d bat. 15th regt, to take charge of Artillery details at Rohilcund from Brev. Capt. Dennis, till arrival of an Artillery Officer.

Lieut. J. Oldham to officiate as Interp. and Quart.Mast. to 2d bat. 31st regt.

Oct. 30.-Officers recently admitted, appointed to do duty: Ens. T. Shuldham with 1st bat. 24th regt. at Muttra ; and Ens. H. Kirke with 1st bat. 12th regt. at Meerut.

Oct. 31.-Assist. Surg. Davidson, doing duty with 1st bat. Ist regt., appointed to charge of Medical Dépôt at Cawnpore during absence of Surg. Venour.

Lieut. K. F. Mackenzie removed from 1st to 2d bat. 32d regt., and Lieut. E. Carte from latter to former bat.

Assist. Surg. H. Fraser, attached to Garrison of Asseergurh, appointed to do duty with 1st bat. 11th regt. at Mhow.

Lieut. Vanrenen to act as Adj. to 2d Nusseree bat. till arrival of Lieut. and Adj. Lawrence.

Lieut. Sampson to act as Interp. and Quart. Mast. to 1st bat. 2d regt. until arrival of Lieut. Vanzetti.

Ens. M. Smith, 1st bat. 4th regt., permitted to do duty with 1st bat. 23d N.I.

Fort William, Nov. 27.-20th Regt. N.I. Lieut. and Brev. Capt. M. A. Bunbury to be Capt. of a company, and Ens. R. Chitty to be Lieut., from 20th Nov. 1823, in succession to Methven deceased.

Capt. E. J. Hony wood, 7th regt. L. C., to be a Brigade Major from 1st inst., to supply a vacancy on establishment.

Assist. Surg. John Colvin to perform Medical Duties of Civil Station of Azimghur.

Head-Quarters, Nov. 15.-Ensigns J. Tindal and W. Dickson, of Engineers, appointed to do duty with corps of Sappers and Miners, and directed to join at Cawnpore.

Lieut. (Brev. Capt.) E. B. Pryce removed from 1st to 2d bat. 26th N.I., and Lieut. H. Brown, from latter to former bat.

Ensigns R. M. Hunter, H. Alpe, W. W. Blyth, H. O. Frederick, and H. Hunter, directed to join detachment of Europ. Regt. at Dinapore.

Cornet T. D. Colyear appointed to do duty with 6th L.C. at Keitah.

Ens. E. J. Dickey to do duty with 2d bat. 10th N.I. at Barrackpore.

Ens. W. F. Grant to do duty with 1st bat. 15th N. I. at Cawnpore.

Assist. Surgs. Stewart and Clark, doing duty in Artillery Hospital at Dum Dum, directed to proceed to Cawnpore, and place themselves under orders of Superintend. Surgeon.

now

under

Assist. Surg. McIsaac, Superintend. Surg. at Presidency, appointed to do duty in Artillery Hospital at Dum Dum.

Lieut. E. Malone to act as Adj., to left wing of 6th L. C. during its separation from Head-Quarters of regt.

Lieut. W. H. Whinfield, Adj., and Lieut. W. Payne, Interp. and Quart. Mast. to 2d bat. 15th N.I., permitted to exchange appointments.

Nov. 17. Ens. J. S. Browne (lately admitted), appointed to do duty with 2d bat. 23d regt, at Berhampore.

Lieut. E. Marshall, 1st bat. 31st regt., directed to do duty at Barrackpore until arrival of his own bat.

Lieut. Heaver to act as Adj. to left wing of 2d bat. 10th regt. during its separation from Head-Quarters of bat.

Lieut, H. Raban to act as Adj. to left wing of 2d bat. 24th regt., vice Young, removed to 34th regt.

Nov. 19.-Lieut Wood, 1st bat. 11th regt., to officiate as Major of Brigade to Malwa Field Force.

Lieut. Pollock to act as Adj. and Interp. and Quart. Mast. to 2d bat. 32d regt. until relieved by officers permanently appointed to those situations.

Brev. Capt. and Adj. Sibbald to act as Interp. and Quart. Mast. to 1st bat. 21st regt. until arrival of Lieut. Mc Kenley.

Lieut. and Adj. Marley to act as In. terp. and Quart. Mast. to 1st bat. 14th regt. during absence of Lieut. Ouseley.

Nov. 21.-Lieut. Troup to act as Adj. to 1st bat. 11th regt.

Nov. 22.-Assist. Surg. Greig to pro ceed in medical charge of young officers proceeding to Dinapore, and thence to repair to Cawnpore, and place himself under orders of Superintend. Surg. at that Station.

Lieut. Burney to act as Adj. to right wing of 2d bat. 19th N.I. during its separation from Head-Quarters of corps, vice Aldous, on sick leave.

Lieut. and Quart. Mast. Bignell to act

as Adj. to 1st bat. 32d regt., vice Candy on sick leave.

Assist. Surg. J. W. Grant, appointed to relieve Assist. Surg. McIsaac from duties in Artillery Hospital at Dum Dum, and latter officer directed to proceed to Goalpara, and assume medical charge of detachment at that out-post.

Lieut. Griffin to act as Adj. to a detachment of five companies of 1st bat. 8th regt.

Lieut. Ramsay removed to 1st. bat., and Lieut. Neufville to 2d bat. 21st N.I.

Lieut. W. G. Cooper removed from 1st to 2d bat., and Lieut. C. Chester from 2d to 1st bat. 4th regt. N.I.

Maj. Smith, 1st bat 25th N.I., in command of 1st bat. 32d regt., directed to deliver over command of bat. to Senior Offcer present, and to proceed to Nusseerabad and take command of his own corps.

Fort William, Dec. 4.-Lieut. W. J. Thompson, 12th regt. N.I., to be a Supernum. Sub-Assist. in Army Commissariat Department.

Assist. Surg. A Menzies, M.D., attached to Civil Station of Ramghur and now doing duty at Gyah, permitted to return to military branch of service.

Lieut. C. W. Heriot, 4th L.C., transferred to Pension Establishment, subject to confirmation of Hon. the Court of Directors.

Dec. 11.-4th Regt. L. C. Cornet W. Benson, to be Lieut. from 4th Dec. 1823, vice Heriot transferred to Pension Establishment.

Assist. Surg. J. Henderson to perform Medical Duties of Civil Station of Ally Ghur, vice Fallowfield promoted.

Capt. C. C. Chesney, regt. of Artillery, to be Superintend. Officer of gentlemen Cadets in Fort William, vice Capt. Higgins, proceeding to Europe on furlough.

Capt. J. Peckett, corps of Engineers, to superintend completion of Mypurrah Light-house.

Head-Quarters, Nov. 24. 1st Lieut. Randle Jackson, of Artillery, directed to join Head-quarters of regt. at Dum Dum.

Lieut. Col. L. Wiggins posted to 2d bat. 31st regt., in room of Lieut. Col. Taylor removed to 1st bat. 13th regt.

Ens. Kennedy, 2d bat. 19th regt., to do duty with wing of 2d bat. 20th regt. at Barrackpore, till arrival of his own corps at Midnapore.

Lieut. and Brev. Capt. Williams to act as Adj. to left wing of 2d bat. 29th regt. during its separation from right wing.

Lieut. Auberjonois to act as Interp. and Quart.Mast. to 2d bat. 26th regt.

Nov. 25.-Lieut. Wilkinson to act as Interp. and Quart. Mast. to 1st bat. 14th N.

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Lieut. E. A. Campbell, Sd L. C., appointed Act. Brig. Major to troops in Rohilkund, during absence of Brig.Major Casement.

Capt. Brown removed from 2d to 1st bat. 30th regt., and Capt. Land from latter to former bat.

Eus. E. Meade to do duty with 2d bat. 10th regt. N. I. at Barrackpore. This arrangement cancels the G. O. attaching Ens. Meade to 1st. bat. 12th regt.

Ens. Buncombe removed from 2d to 1st bat. 10th N.I.

Nov. 26.-Lieut. R. B. Fergusson removed from 2d to 1st bat. 32d regt.

Lieut. Thoresby, 34th regt., removed from 2d to 1st bat.

Ens. W. F. Grant appointed to do duty with 1st bat. 32d N.I. at Cawnpore, instead of 1st bat. 15th regt.

Lieut. Pennington, European Invalid, permitted to reside at Monghyr.

Nov. 27.-16th N.I. Lieut. S. Boileau to be Interp. and Quart.Mast. of 1st bat., vice Macdonald, deceased.

26th N.I. Lieut. F. Auberjonois to be Interp. and Quart. Mast. of 2d bat., vice Stewart, removed to 31st regt.

Sirmoor Bat. Lieut. T. Webster, 30th N.I., to be adj., vice Todd, deceased.

Ens. C. H. Boisragon removed from 25th to 10th N.I., as junior, and posted to 2d bat.

Ens. A. M. Skinner to do duty with 2d bat. 10th regt., at Barrackpore.

Ens. C. G. Ross, 2d bat. 3d regt., to do duty with 2d bat. 11th regt.

Nov. 28.-Assist. Surg. Child, now attached to Artillery at Agra, appointed to medical charge of 2d bat. 16th regt. during absence of Assist. Surg. Inglis.

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Nov. 29.-Lieut. Bowe to officiate as Adj. to detached wing of 1st bat. 10th regt: Lieut. Oldfield to act as Adj. to five comps. of Chumparun Light Inf. detached to Rungpore.

Lieut. Richardson to act as Adj. to five comps. of 2d bat. 23d regt. during their separation from Head-Quarters of bat.

Brev. Capt. and Adj. Gairdner to act as Interp. and Quart. Mast. to 2d bat. 10th regt.

Lieut. Halford, 2d bat. 21st regt., to have charge of 1st and 5th comps. of Sappers until an officer belonging to corps may join.

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