Calcutta.

MISCELLANEOUS.

THE DHURMA SUBHA, CASE OF THE BOY BRUJONATH.

We copy the following notice of the proceedings of the Dhurma Subha, in the matter of the boy Brujonath, from the Chundrika. They are not devoid of interest. We hope the editor will not fail to favour us with full particulars of the praschittu, or atonement,' which the pundits may lay on him. This is the more necessary, as some of the opponents of the Subha have affirmed that the atonement, in these cases, is generally in the shape of a fine, and that the money, thus gained, finds its way to the pundits.

"At length, Brujonath Ghose, the lad who has been injured by the missionaries, appeared in Subha, and with tears in his eyes presented an address, which was directed to be read, It is as follows:

To the Right Worshipful Baboo Bhuwaneechurn Bundopadhya, the Secretary of the Dhurma Subha.

• Receive the salutation and petition of your servant Brujonath Ghose. I entreat you graciously to bring to the knowledge of the members of the Dhurma Subha this my petition.

The

"My prayer is this: Under the influence of ignorance, I went for a time to a missionary school to acquire English. teachers there, by giving me various evil instructions, laboured to effect my destruction, both in this world and the next; but, through the religious merits of my father and forefathers, and through the compassion of the directors of this Subha, I obtained deliverance from the dark prison of the missionaries, but I am now despised by my friends, connections, and relatives; if you restore me, I may obtain deliverance; I have no other resource. holy and compassionate gentlemen, have once had mercy upon me, an unfortunate being; emboldened by which, I again be seech you to compassionate my unfortunate ignorance, and do that which seems proper in your eyes.-19th Kartick, 1240.'

You,

"This address having been read, the President, Baboo Radhakant Deb, delivered this as his opinion:

It is proper for the pundits to question the lad concerning the suspicion of the sins which he is supposed to have committed; when, upon the replies they receive, we learn the atonement which ought to be made, a precept should be prepared and laid before the next meeting;' to this the members agreed.

Asiat. Journ. N. S. VOL.14.No.53.

"Immediately after, Raja Kalee Kissen Bahadoor made many inquiries of the boy Brujonath, to which appropriate replies were given. We subjoin a few of them.

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"Kalee Kissen. Do you remember what you said in the Supreme Court?→ Brujonath. I spoke just as I had been instructed by the missionaries.- Kalee Kissen. Were you baptized?-Bruj. They were very anxious to baptize me.-Kalee Kissen. Why were you confined in the missionary school?-Bruj. Krishnomohun took me from my home, by evil counsel, and placed me in the school at Mirzapore. They all said to me, your father will murder you, therefore remain in this house. I believed their words, and being exceedingly afraid, remained there.-Kalee Kissen. What books did they give you to read about the Christian religion?-Bruj. The Old and the New Testament.-Kalee Kissen. What was the effect in your mind on reading them ?-Bruj. That the Hindoo shastras and religion were excellent.Kalee Kissen. You never read our shastras, how then did you know they were excellent?-Bruj. I consider them cellent from seeing the actions, conduct, and deeds of my ancestors.-Kalee Kissen. None of your ancestors are alive; how then did you come to believe that they had conducted themselves?-Bruj. My mother and father are in existence; I perceive their conduct, and that of my connections and relatives, and from thence I judge what must have been the conduct of my ancestors.-Kalee Kissen. What did you consider evil in the conduct of the missionaries? Bruj. They are outcasts and drink that which they ought not to do; their manners are bad; many such evil actions did I see.-Kalee Kissen. The Hindoos rub their bodies with oil, wear filthy clothes, and bathe in the miry water of the Ganges. Do not such actions show you that they are mlechas? The English wear clean apparel, bathe in pure water, and sit down to eat at table. Seeing these things, could you still consider them mlechas ?-Bruj. Had I not hated their manners and ways I should certainly have eaten with them during my confinement? The President. Did you not eat their food?-Bruj. No.-Pres. What then did you eat during your confinement ?— Bruj. The durwan of the house was Kunnoje bramhun: he supplied me with cooked food.

SO

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"On hearing all these replies, the Rajah Bahadoor was very much pleased, and desisted from further inquiry.

"After this, the other business before the meeting was brought forward, and re(A)

plies ordered to be sent. After which, the president and members embraced each other, delightfully hoping to meet again after the pooja."-Sumachar Durpun.

RUNJEET SING.

Umritsir, October 10.-His majesty mentioned to the Brahmins in attendance, that he had tried the physicians long enough, they must now see whether they could not relieve the excruciating pains he was subject to in his right leg and foot. On hearing that a ferash in his service had given to some dancing women, his relations, two young Cashmere girls, of whose persons he had got possession by some means; it was immediately ordered that his nose and ears should be cut off and his face blackened, and that he should be mounted on a jackass and paraded through the city. Many people hastened to intercede, when his majesty graciously remitted the first part of the sentence, but the remitted punishment was inflicted on a murderer, and both were put out of the city.

October 12.-A letter was sent to Mr.

Ventura at Lahore to return immediately with the force under his command, and join Joalla Sing, now present with his majesty, and that he would be despatched on some expedition immediately after the Dushaira, Orders were likewise issued to men of the powder manufactories, that each should immediately prepare and forward to head quarters 200 maunds of gunpowder.

October 16.-Sundood Lal was sent for, and mentioned, that the latest intelligence left Shah Shooja ool Moolk in the royal park at Shikarpoor, accompanied by a force of ten thousand cavalry and infantry, and five or six cannon, and that Jehangeer, the son of Shah Camran, had joined him with six other cannon and eight thousand cavalry, and that every thing was in readiness to march on the 25th. Surdar Hurree Sing was told to hold himself in readiness to attack Paishawur; he answered that he was always ready to execute his majesty's orders, but would require ten thousand cavalry, five thousand infantry, and 250 of the horse artillery: that if his majesty would

allow him these, he would stake his existence on his success.-Delhi Gaz., Nov. 16.

THE ICE IMPORTATION.

The ice-cargo of the Tuscany, we believe, is nearly sold off, and we hope that the freighters have met with sufficient encouragement to continue their speculation. But what we have chiefly in view, in reverting to this subject, is to mention the notice which Lord William Bentinck has taken of this new feature of commerce in Calcutta. His Lordship is not the man to overlook what deserves to be looked on, and is ever ready to express in some way

or other the estimation in which he holds individual merit and enterprize. We yes

terday saw a very neat silver-gilt vase, having the following inscription:-" Presented by Lord William Bentinck, Governor-general and Commander-in-chief of India, to Mr. Rogers, of Boston, in acknowledgment of the spirit and enterprize, which projected and successfully executed the first attempt to import a cargo of American ice into Calcutta." The vase is got up in true taste; the form is simple, and is not bespattered with the ornamental. The ornaments which are introduced are in keeping, and thus form a real embellishment. They consist of bunches of flowers and fruit, intersected by foliage, admirably embossed: on the whole, it is a beautiful specimen of Calcutta art. The enterprize was as surely deserving of encouragement as it was singular in the annals of Calcutta trade. It has introduced the means of enjoying a luxury and comfort, the taste of which, we trust, will not be forgotten during the interim which must necessarily elapse before another attempt of a similar nature shall be made; and we hope that Mr. Tudor, the American gentleman in Boston, who, we have understood, is the principal adventurer in this speculation, will ever find a substantial acknowledgment, on the part of the Calcutta public, for every similar proof which he may afford them of his enterprize.-Englishman, Nov. 16.

MAHARAJAH MULHAR RAO HOLKAR.

Maharaja Mulhar Rao Holkar, who died at Indore on the 26th ult, owed his elevation to the exalted situation which he filled more to a concurrence of fortunate circumstances than to hereditary right, for he was neither more or less than the "illegitimate son of an illegitimate father," and that father the son of a man who was not a lineal descendant of the founder of the family.

The name and family of Holkar is but of recent date, even compared to most of the other Mahratta sovereigns. The offspring of a nation-itself of comparatively moderu origin,—the founder of the family, was Mulhar Rao, a native of the village of Hul,-originally a goat-herd,-not alone as of caste but a bona fide keeper of goats; and "Dhoongin" is the caste of the family to the present day. He was born about the end of the 17th century, and was taken, while yet a youth, from the care of his flocks to join a small troop of horse, supported by his uncle in Candeish, in the service of those predatory leaders, so many of whom devastated Central India in those days of anarchy and misrule. His history is extant in more than one published work, and it is unnecessary for us to follow him throughout his career;

suffice it to say, that before his death, which took place some years after the middle of last century, he rose, under the peishwas, by his valour and other soldierlike qualities, to great eminence, and the fruition of extensive independant possessions on both sides of the Nurbudda. He had only one son, Kudhee Rao, who was killed before the Jaat fortress of Koombeer, some years before his father died. This son married Allyah Baie, by whom he had a son and daughter. The son, Mallee Rao, succeeded to the sovereignty on the death of his grandfather, but fortunately only lived to enjoy his dignity for a few short months. He was a lad of weak intellect, and mischievously cruel disposition. He died insane, from remorse at having wantonly killed, with his own hand, an embroiderer, whom he supposed erroneously, as was afterwards proved, to have had an intrigue with a female dependent of the family. He left no issue, and the last of the sisters having married into another house, excluded her or her children from the succession. Thus early was the line of Holkar exhausted, and all his wide-spread territories, about to become the prey of fresh adventurers. This catastrophe, however, was averted by the promptitude and firmness of Kudhee Rao's widow, the celebrated and the good Allyah Baie, whose history is so well told by Sir J. Malcolm. She ruled the country with so much ability and undeviating equity, managed its revenues with so much skill, and was so happy in the selection of her ministers and other subordinates, as to render Malwa one of the most peaceful, happy, and flourishing provinces throughout the whole of India. She associated with her, as nominal chief and commander of her immense moveable army, Tukkajee Holkar, a man of the same tribe, but, as already stated, not related to the family. Contrary to what might have been expected from this arrangement, this man ever continued faithful to the woman who had thus suddenly traised him to power and dignity; and the alliance only added to the security and happiness of the people, over whom they jointly ruled. She commanded that the style of "the son of Mulhar Rao" should be engraven on his seal. He had uncontrolled command of the army, and likewise the management of large tracts of territory situate beyond the bounds of their more consolidated possessions. He was almost constantly absent from Malwa with the army; sometimes for years together, and on distant expeditions in combination with other leaders; yet he never for a moment forgot his allegiance, or ceased to discharge the debt of gratitude which he owed to his benefactress. Allyah Baie died about 1795, and Tukkajee about two years after her. He left two legitimate sous, Kassee Rao and Mulhar Rao, and two illegiti

mate, Jeswunt Rao and Etojee. The two former seem to have succeeded to the sovereignty without opposition: the former to the domestic management, in the room, as it were, of Allyah Baie; and the other, a brave and aspiring young soldier, to the head of the army. The elder was decrepid, in body and feeble in mind, and must have soon yielded up his share of authority to his enterprising brother. This was only obviated by the interference of Scindiah, at the instance of Kassee Rao, and for very valuable considerations. Both brothers repaired to Poonah; and through the influence of Scindiah, a mock reconciliation was brought about, owing to which, and by the mutual taking of the Bulbundar oath (the most sacred that can be taken by a Hindoo), Mulhar Rao was thrown off his guard: that same night his camp was surrounded by Scindiah's disciplined battalions, and he himself killed in attempting to make his escape. His troops were dispersed, and among them fled Jeswunt Rao, one of Tukkajee's natural sous; this same Jeswunt Rao, after escaping many perils, rose, by his own talents and energy, from the most desperate circumstances, to be the independent possessor of the Holkar territories. His race was run in stirring times, and much of his history is mixed up with that of the most' glorious days of our own army, that few of our readers can be ignorant of it. Although a man stained by almost every deed which can deform human nature, he was yet not without his military virtues; and personal courage, and generosity in rewarding deeds of valour done by others, have always justly been ascribed to him. He cruelly put to death his legitimate brother Kassee Rao, and the young son of the ill-fated Mulhar Rao, at different' times. It is conjectured, that remorse for these crimes preyed upon his mind ever after; and joined to an unrestrained indulgence in intoxicating liquors, aggravated that tendency to insanity which was already implanted in him. He was latterly incapable of guiding the reins of government for many months before his death, which took place about 1811. Toolsec Baie, his favourite mistress, and a woman' of abandoned character, was proclaimed regent, she having previously adopted the illegitimate son of Jeswunt Rao by a woman Kepara Baie of the koomar caste. This son was, while yet a child, placed on the guddee immediately after his father's demise, and was confirmed in the sovereignty by the British Government after the battle of Mehidpore; Toolsah Baie before this event having been put to death by the heads of the army for her many crimes. This boy, Mulhar Rao, is the chief, whose death we have above announced.

As to the policy or expediency of the British authorities, in re-establishing this

Mahratta family,and in confirming this boy in the possession of their extensive ill-gotten territories, while in reality his hereditary claim was so feeble, it would be now useless to inquire even if we had leisure or room to make the inquiry. It is, of course, impossible to say what his character might have become, had those scenes of anarchy and rapine continued,-from which India was reserved by the interference of the British Government; but it is certain that his conduct as a ruler in times of profound peace, during these last years of his manhood, have sorely belied the fine promises of his youth. Instead of the fulfilment of Sir J. Malcolm's predictions (in case of good management), of great and progressive increase in his revenues, he has of late years, it is understood, been constantly embarrassed for want of means to satisfy the clamours of a useless and rabble soldiery, for the long and heavy arrears of pay due to them. The death of his able minister, Tantiah Jogh, some five or six years ago, gave a shock to the respectability of his government, which it has never since recovered, we believe. He had almost entirely abandoned himself to the pilotage of his low and vicious passions, while his court had become one scene of mean and petty intrigue. The dowager Baie, like ladies in general, and Mabratta ladies in particular, it is thought, aspired to political power, and had not been unsuccessful during this abasement of her son's energies. But whether for her own good, or the good of the state, and the happiness of the people, is not clear. Mulhar Rao has left no issue, we believe, and is likely to be succeeded by his cousin, Harree Holkar, who has for many years been held in close duresse in the fort of Myhein.- Mofussil Ukhbar,

Nov. 16.

TRAVELLING IN INDIA.

At present, we have hardly any more improved means of intercourse with Calcutta, than we had when these provinces first fell into our hands, Our most rapid mode of regular travelling is palkee dawk, by which an unintermitted journey to Cal cutta may be accomplished in twelve days; but the enormous expense (Rs. 460) and the great discomfort of this kind of conreyance, operate much to hinder it from being resorted to, except on the most pres sing occasions of haste. People generally prefer a voyage on the Ganges; and this is performed from Meerut to Calcutta in the average time of seven weeks; while the voyage hither from the presidency occupies about four months and a-half, at a mean, Our quickest mode of carriage is the banghy-dawk, by which, however, we do not receive a parcel from Calcutta in less than about five weeks after dispatch! The charges, besides, are (necessarily) so

high, that magazines and reviews brought by banghy are increased in cost more than a half. It is consequently never had recourse to for bringing any thing that is bulky, or that is not immediately required. For fetching supplies of wines, liquors, European manufactures, &c. we employ the clumsy primitive craft that ply on the river, and get dragged up to us in six or seven months after having left Calcutta! The evils of our being confined to these ways and rates of communicating with our seaport, are felt in the enhancement of the prices of goods to an exorbitant degree, and in the consequent dullness of trade, The number of passengers is also much smaller than it would be under an improved system of travelling. Calcutta is, in effect, as far away from us, as it is from London. To the iron-steamers we must look, in the first instance, for bringing Calcutta nearer to us; and we do hope, a much longer time will not elapse, without our seeing one of these vessels "astonishing the natives" at Ghurmuktesur Ghaut.

The road from Calcutta to Meerut is about 900 miles long; and, making ample allowance for the tortuosities of the channel of the river, the distance by water is 1,800 miles. We trust it is not extravagant to assume that the iron-steamers would run over 60 miles of this space in a day; and, at the rate of progress they would reach us in a month! As they would have the current in their favour on their return, we suppose they might arrive at Calcutta in about three weeks! It is impossible to say with certainty that the steamers will be able to perform their voyages in these times respectively; but we think it is very probable they will. If our calculations as to the speed of the vessels prove accurate, the expenses of travelling and carriage ought to be reduced to less than one-half of the present charges. The quantity of goods, and number of travellers, would, on the other hand, be more than double what they now are.

While on the subject of inland transport, we would fain add a few words on the still greater advantages that would result from the introduction of steam coaches into so level a country as India. Our climate is such that we shall never be able to maintain a rapid intercourse by means of animals. The velocity of vessels also is limited by known laws of nature; but the speed of a steam coach is indefinite. On the Liverpool railway, one engine now travels at the rate of 20 miles an hour, having 20 waggons with aggregate loads of 92 tons attached to it! It would, of course, be chimerical to expect a railway to be laid from Meerut to Calcutta sooner than the end of the next half-century; but, as engineers seem now to have succeeded in the construction of coaches that will go on common roads, at an average speed of ten

miles an hour, we may indulge a reasonable hope of seeing some of the British capitalists, who will shortly be permitted to resort freely to India, establishing a communication by steam coaches, for at least part of the Calcutta road, before 1840. If it could be continued for the whole of the way, we should be able to arrive at Calcutta in four days.-Meerut Obs. Nov.14.

REMITTANCES-THE SIX PER CENT. LOAN.

In

The Calcutta Courier, referring to an order from the Board of Control, prohibiting the Company from sending any remittances from India, either in goods, bullion or bills, for the next six years, observes: "Considering whence that order has emanated, we have a strong suspicion that it has a financial object beyond the mere liquidation of the Company's assets in England, and the application of the proceeds to the purposes declared. It is very well known to a certain talented financier, now in the Board of Control, that the Company's purchases and bill remittances have a great effect upon the Indian exchanges. He has not failed to recollect that the six per cent. loan is payable at the option of the holders by bills on London at 2s. 6d. per rupee, and that the earliest period for its redemption will arrive in April next. To pay off that loan in India instead of England would be a very great saving to the Company, who could not meet the amount by remittances to England in specie, or otherwise, yielding an average exchange higher than ls.lld. at most, being a loss of 30 per cent. proportion as the exchange rises above 1s. 11d., the option of the remittance bill at 2s. 6d. is lessened in value, and with it the market-price of the 6 per cent. paper, now bearing a premium of about 33 per cent. Although it cannot be expected that the exchange will be run up for any length of time above 2s. 2d. or 2s. 3d., since those rates would bring bullion from America and Europe, and consequently there is no probability that the remittable loan will fall to par, the financier of the Board may perhaps hope to knock down the premium upon it to 15 or 20 per cent., and to induce a large portion of the holders of this paper to accept payment in cash, or an optional transfer into the Indian four per cents., with a bonus of 20 per cent. cannot doubt that something of the kind is in contemplation. The low rate of interest in England, in whichever way money is laid out, whether in the funds or on mortgage, would greatly contribute to the success of the operation. Such a measure will benefit this country in two ways,-by - preventing a further drain of specie as a remittance either in trade or to meet the loan payments in London; and by lessening the sum immediately or ultimately

We

required to discharge the present six per cents. It might tend to induce some European capitalists to avail themselves of the opportunity to remit home their funds while the exchange ranged so much above its usual rates of late years; but that tendency would be over-balanced by the advantage which India would gain, by avoiding the remittance of several millions in discharge of the remittable loan.".

The Calcutta Market of November 25th has the following reflections upon the cessation of remittances:

"The provisions of the renewed charter prevent all operations of trade, excluding the Company from chartering vessels homewards, or making shipments of goods or merchandize from China or other places in India.

"Requiring, as the indigo trade does, a yearly outlay of nearly one crore of rupees for production, it is probable that the provision of the renewed charter will have the most prejudicial effects upon it in the present season, since, unassisted by the government, there is not available capital in the country for one-third of this annual requirement, to provide which, extraordinary sacrifices may be necessary to be made. Counteracting causes however to this apprehension are assumed by a practical and judicious observer as follow:

"1st. The extraordinary demand for indigo in Europe and the improbability, in the present state of the money market, of any considerable extension taking place in cultivation, may tend to support prices.

"2d. The exchange being already up to 2s. 1d. or 2s. 2d. for large sums, holders of government paper may be induced, looking to the probability of the loans being soon paid off, to take the opportunity to sell out and remit in bills or produce; either will assist the holder of the latter.

"3d. Shipments of bullion to Europe may cease, and considering that the amount in 1832-33 was 59 lacs of rupees, a considerable sum may be set down from this source as available for produce.

"4th. British goods are sold in this market to the extent of about 12 lacs of rupees monthly, and part of the proceeds has hitherto been sent to China and Mauritius in search of more favourable remittance to Europe than afforded here. The motive for such operations will cease when returns can be made advantageously direct.

"5th. The merchants of Madras and Bombay will not be inattentive to the rise in our exchange, and avail themselves of it accordingly.

"The holders of British goods will be no doubt immediately benefitted by the rise in the exchange; and whatever prejudice may be felt in any particular branch, it is assumed that the general interests of trade will be permanently advanced by the change."