the great conqueror over countries, the English hero, the champion of the word, the tamer of elephants, the general vietorious over the Burmese, mild and merciful, the leader of leaders, the inspirer of bravery this request is written, in the year of the Hegira, 1186a year greater than any seen by our ancestors; a year more auspicious than all former years; in which the conqueror of provinces, the English hero, by command of his king, came with an army to attack the Burmese, over whom he has been victorious; who has not molested the inhabitants; but has permitted the poor to remain in their dwellings. This intelligence having reached us, diffused general joy. We have likewise heard that many wazeers and Burmese soldiers have been sent to the regions of death by the invincible warriors. The English hero, who is seated on a throne, and is exceeding beneficent, has ordered that neither vexation nor trouble is to be given to the people remaining in their houses. Against your power no enemy can draw an arrow, The poor and the cultivators in your prosperity find ease. Further, we are of opinion, that if you continue fighting after this manner for one year, or one month, neither the name nor vestige of the Burmese will remain. Then will the poor in tranquillity pass their lives, and the name of their merciless enemies will be obliterated. We are likewise persuaded that, to the people living under the shadow of the standard of your clemency, not even a cause of trouble can arise. The great chief, Leeagat; the second, Bungan Khoon; the third, Bungan Khasan Cheydoo Ghom Thuham; the chiefs of the countries of Laboom and Jamaz, all being assembled, and being unanimous, and having but one mind and one object, I have described it to the great English hero and conqueror, and I wish to be informed of your circumstances, and every wish in your mind. This request is addressed to the presence of the illustrious enthroned English conqueror."-[Gov. Gaz., March 10.

EMBARKATION OF ELEPHANTS.

Another embarkation of elephants, for the service of the army at Rangoon, has taken place lately. The ships will proceed forthwith, and their arrival will no doubt expedite the march of the second division of the army, should it not have already moved.-[Cal. John Bull, Mar. 11.

COUNTRY OF ARRACAN.

Camp at Myoo Moon, the 1st March."We arrived here yesterday morning, having made the march from Mera Prang in two stages, as the sandy roads were too deep for the artillery bullocks, dragging the guns and heavy tumbrils, &c., to accomplish it in one. This is a beautiful,

fine-clinated, airy spot, upon the bank of that grand river the Myoo, or rather Maha, or great river, a name which is. well applied to a noble frith of at least four miles broad. The landing-place is here excellent, forming a small bay of hard sand, through which protrude layers of schistus, which, with sandstone, seems to constitute the geological formation of the Arracan mountains. The features of this country are extremely interesting, and illustrative of the existence of the deluge, for the soil gradually condenses, as it were, from the light mud of Bengal to the sandy and alluvial depositions forming the hills of Chittagong, till we observe the hard stratified schistus of Arracan, covered with sand and blocks of sandstone, and at last arrive at the ponderous granite rocks, of which consist so many of the islands of the eastern archipelago. At Mera Perang I discovered shells, of very ancient date, upon rocks of sand-stone near a mile from the sea, and in the middle of jungle. In this part of the country the hills are very fertile, being covered with luxuriant forests, containing very fine and lofty trees: yet none that I have seen equal in height or diameter those which I have seen in the forests of Sumatra; but the appearance of the jun gles, and the character of the plants, exactly resemble the vegetation discoverable in that island, now, alas! and from this date, separated from the empire of Britain. At the base of the Arracan hills appear numerous plains; covered with dry thick grass, or stubble, which is extremely apt to become ignited, and in that case the fire spreads with great rapidity, and becomes not only troublesome, but exceedingly dangerous in the vicinity of an extensive camp, such as that from which I am at present writing. Yesterday the wind blew fresh from the north-westward, and the consequence was, that in a large plain, covered with long dry stubble, in front of the lines, which had caught fire, either through accident or design, the flames raged very fiercely for several hours. length, however, the blaze became extinguished, chiefly through the exertions of Col. Lindsay, who naturally felt alarmed, lest the flame should approach the artillery, and reach the ammunition in the tumbrils. General Morrison, I presume, in consequence of this circumstance, with his usual foresight and prudence, and care for the preservation of his army, which is indeed visible in every order that is issued, directed

At

It appears that the Mayoon or Myoo river is not at all as described or laid down in any map hitherto published. It is an inland sea, branching off in different directions, and the nearest point of land at a place called Monjey Keon, in a direction north-easterly, is about 34 miles from the right bank.

directed patrols to be constituted around the camp last night, and all fires to be extinguished at 8 P.M. Commodore Hayes is with the flotilla in the Arracan river, and, we hear, has driven the enemy from several stockades. The Burmese are af firmed to be numerous in the neighbourhood of Arracan; but on this point having nothing authentic to communicate, I refrain from stating any thing on imperfect information. So far as I can judge, the Burmese must be a race of inexorable tyrants, and God is good in removing power from hands so unworthy to wield it as those of the Ava Government.

The plains now desolate and covered with grass, evidently, at one period, must have been rich cultivated fields, from which the inhabitants have been driven by the oppression of their invaders. A respectable Mug informed me, some days ago, that he detested the Burmese on account of their tyranny, and that they had ruined the province, which was visible in the plains to which I have alluded, that formerly were fields in a state of cultivation, and that the country was once overspread by a numerous population, hardly an individual of which is at present to be seen. The beach from Mungdoo to Myoo is intersected with creeks and nullahs, which abound with oysters of delicious flavour, and excellent fish are procurable in the Myoo. The saw fish is frequently seen in the creeks, and is one of the most extraordinary animals which inhabit the ocean, and the use of its long and sharp thorny snout is by no means readily apparent. At first sight this creature bears considerable resemblance to the Gurceal, or Lacerta Gangetica. The jungles abound in deer, several of which have been killed during the march.-[Ben. Hurk.

MARRIAGES...

Feb. 12. At the principal Roman Catholic Church, Mr. Joseph Rodrigues to Miss Maria D'Rozario. 19. At St. John's Cathedral, James Hamilton Speer, Esq., of Nattore, to Miss C. A. Dick.

25. At Cawupore, Lieut. J. T. Somerville, 51st N.I., to Miss Henrietta Kingston.

March 4. At the Cathedral, Win. Tomkins, Esq., only son of Col. J. Tomkins, late of the Bengal Artil., to Mrs. Henrietta Brooks, eldest daughter of W. D.S. Smith, Esq.

8. At the Cathedral, the Rev. Wm. J. Deer, of Burdwan, missionary, to Miss M. En White, formerly of the European Female Orphan Asylum, Calcutta.

Jan. 18. Drowned, at Rangoon, Capt. W. Fester, of the brig McCaully.

Feb 10. At Chunar, Mr. John Lawrence, assist. com. of ordnance, aged 54.

16. At Serampore, Wm. Baldwin, Esq., senior, formerly of Hyrampore, indigo planter, aged 55. 25. At Delhi, Capt. C. E. Turnor, 24th N.I. March 5. H. Clarke, Esq., surgeon, aged 27. 6. Julia, youngest daughter of Mr. J. H. Cook, of Gazeypore, aged seven months.

Mrs. Thereza Bridgnell, wife of Mr. James Bridgnell, aged 35.

7. Henry, infant son of Mr. J. Boilard, jun. 9. T. W. King, Esq., aged 46.

10. Mr. Thomas Taylor, musician, aged 30. Lately. Major Schalch, a most gallant and valu able officer. We understand he was shot while on board one of the boats engaged on the late attack on the stockades in Arracan. His loss will create a vacancy in particular departments, not easily to be filled up. Cal. John Bull, March 14. ↑

BACHELORS' BALL. 詈 1

We have seldom, if ever, witnessed a more elegant or more joyous entertainment than that which was given by the bachelors on Friday evening (Feb. 4), at Mr. Fauquier's gardens; it certainly may be classed as a first-rate assembly; and it is quite impossible to convey an adequate idea of the mirth and festivity which reign ed triumphant, from "evening tide till dawn of day.'

The ball-room exhibited a most splendid specimen of tasteful variety; the word "welcome,' greeted each guest as he entered, and the figure of Terpsichore on "light fantastic toe" communicated sentiments of pleasurable expectation, which were seen beaming on the countenance of every lovely guest, as she contemplated the brilliancy and splendour with which she was surrounded.

The ball was opened by two lovely brides, in a double country dance qua drilles and waltzes then assumed their sway, which were kept up with unabated spirit until after 12 o'clock: the party were then called to partake of a supper, which, for elegance, taste, and variety, certainly stands unrivalled.

Lady Munro, and the principal families of the settlement, honoured the bachelors with their company on this happy evening. The music of the Spanish dance recalled the party from the supper-tables, succeeded

by

by quadrilles and waltzes, which continued until past three o'clock; at which hour the lovely fair ones reluctantly separated, to dream (we hope) of the happiness they had enjoyed and communicated to many an admiring bachelor.

A few jovial souls adjourned to a second supper, where sparkling champagne and claret ruby bright ushered in the rosy morn, and where a host presided, who may emphatically be said "to live in the hearts of his friends."

[No papers have been received from Madras up to a late period this month]

BREV. CAPT. NEWTON. LIEUT. SOUNDERS. Bombay Castle, Jan. 31st, 1825.—The Governor in Council is pleased to publish, for general information, the following extracts from despatches from the Hon. the Court of Directors, dated 21st and 30th July 1824.

[Memorial from Brevet Capt. Newton, complaining of having been superseded in rank as Brevet Capt., and soliciting redress on the ground of the court's or ders of the 30th June 1819, transmitted.]

You will have been informed by our circular letter, dated on the 14th of Aprit 1824, wherein a correct rule was laid down for the grants of the Brevet commission, that, in consideration of the inconvenience and confusion which would result from cancelling so many commissions, and disturbing officers in the enjoyment of rank which many of them had held for several years, the new orders were not to have any retrospective effect; we therefore did not direct the revocation of any commission of Brevet Captain; but, on the other hand, we are not at liberty to direct any new.commission to be issued.The claim of Capt. Newton, to a revision of the rank granted to cadets of his season, cannot therefore be admitted."

(Lieut. John Sounders, who returns to Europe for the second time on sick certificate, in consequence of most serious injury received in a conflict with a tiger, is most strongly recommended by the

Government for admission to the pension to which he would have been entitled had he received the same injury in action with the enemy.]

14. We cannot comply with the applica tion of Lieut. Sounders, to be admitted to the benefit of the regulations for the grant of pensions to officers who sustain serious injury in action with the enemy; but as he received very severe wounds while en gaged in the public service, which have entailed on him such permanent lameness in his left arm, as, in the opinion of the Medical Board, to be equivalent in many of its consequences to the loss of the limb, we shall not, as a special case, object to the grant to him of an allowance of £60 (sixty) per annum, commencing from the 23d of September 1823, the date of the Medical Board's certificate on the case."

LAW.

BOMBAY SESSIONS, FEB. 2. Osmun bin Seedek was put upon his trial for piracy. The circumstances, as detailed in the evidence, were shortly. as follow. The prisoner and two others embarked as passengers in a boat bound from Surat to Bombay, and in the middle of the night suddenly rose upon the crew, and with two swords, which they had secretly brought on board, they succeeded in forcibly taking possession of the vessel, having wounded severely the tindal ́ and four or five of the crew. They afterwards carried the boat into a port in the Gulph of Cambay but suspicion being excited, they were seized by the chief of the place, and sent to Bombay; two out of the num ber succeeding, however, in making their escape before reaching the presidency: The prisoner was found guilty on the clearest evidence.

The grand jury, before they were discharged, reported to the court that the state of the gaol was every way such as could be desired, and highly creditable to the present Marshal, Mr. Leggett Bombay Courier, Feb. 5.

found, as the coast is nearly, if not quite unknown between Grane and El Katif. The harbour of Grane is described as very extensive, being nearly sixty miles in circumference, with good anchorage and shelter. The town is said to be large, very populous, and to carry on an immense trade with India, and all parts of the Gulph. The greatest civility was shewn by the Sheik to the officers of the surveying vessels, and he appeared very desirous of forwarding their views. Bom. Gaz. Feb. 23.

SUTTEES.

We have received accounts of two suttees having recently taken place in the Deckan, and one in the Concan. The piles were constructed in strict conformity with the rules prescribed by the Shasters, which adds to the torments of those who devote themselves as victims in these dreadful sacrifices; and, by all we can learn, the fortitude and devotedness of these superstitious beings were increased by the prospect of enhanced sufferings. Time

alone, however, can shew what measures it may be safe ultimately to adopt, for the purpose of putting an end to rites so cruel and revolting to humanity. For ourselves, we question the policy of any direct interference in the reform of practices, which the diffusion of a more enlightened system of education can alone remedy. We make this remark in reference to the discussions in which the Legislature, and would-be legislators at home, have recently engaged, on this delicate subject. Their humanity outstrips their judgment-its display only augments the evil which they are desirous of correcting. None surely can be more desirous of accomplishing that object than the authorities in India: and can it be for a moment believed that they are callous in the discharge of their duty? Instead, therefore, of declaiming at public meetings against the tolerance of so horrid a practice, it would produce a more salutary effect, if our Wilberforces, Buxtons, and Buckinghams were to contribute each his mite to the dissemination of education in India; which would not fail of dissipating those clouds of darkness and ignorance, in which it is the policy of the Braminical ascendancy to retain its followers. It has been contended that a positive interdiction of the practice might be safely attempted; and that it would as safely succeed, because, as it is not countenanced by the Shasters, it would not be interfering with the religious observances of the Hindoos. We doubt the policy of such an interdict; if it be not an interference with their religion, it is an interference with a deeply-rooted custom. It might, however, be tried-but not in the British territories. We should imagine that any of the native chiefs, the most enlightened of those in alliance with us,

might be prevailed upon to prohibit the practice-If the attempt succeeded, it might be then followed up in our own territories. Instead of our own country. men crowding to the spot to witness such inhuman rites, it would be perhaps better if they turned from these spectacles with horror and disgust, and seized every op portunity of speaking of the practice in terms of marked reprobation; they must recollect that in all ages and countries, where force has been employed to root ont any particular superstition, it has only made its votaries more determined and ob. stinate. The sun of knowledge alone can disperse the mists and illumine the darkness of superstition.-[Bom. Cour. Feb. 19.

Among the many festivities of the last month, one of the most conspicuous, in point of gaiety and numerous assemblage, was the subscription ball given on Friday last. On this occasion Mr. Newnham's elegant bungalow on the Esplanade, which was kindly lent for the night, was thrown open to all the fair and gay of the Presi dency. About nine, the company began to assemble, and before ten the rooms were filled with guests. The entertainments commenced with country dancing, and we were glad to see our old acquaintance have a place alternately with qua drilles, during the remainder of the evening. The polite and assiduous attentions of the stewards were unremitting. Hi larity, good-humour, and unmingled satisfaction appeared to reign over all, to a degree seldom equalled. At midnight the company partook of an elegant supper, after which dancing was resumed, and kept up until an early hour next morning.→ [Bombay Gazette, Feb. 2.

STEAM NAVIGATION.

From some observations in the Calcutta John Bull, it would appear that he has been accused by the Madras Courier of "making a severe reflection on the people of Madras, for their want of liberality, in not promoting the navigation by steam to this country." Such an accusation we have not remarked in the pages of the Bull, but if it has been made, we cannot suppose that the good people of Bombay have escaped; and in fact it comes out, that only one of fourteen letters, sent to this Presidency by the steam navigation promoters, was answered. We certainly think that our friends here might have been more courteous ; but we suppose that the reason that the letters in question were not answered, was simply this, that no encou raging hopes could be communicated. The greater part of the society saw numerous difficulties in establishing steam navfgation,

*Sec Asiatic Journal, Vol. XIX. p. 837.

ever a communication by means of steam navigation take place between India and Europe, we have little doubt that the route last-mentioned will be the one that will be adopted. In fact, we believe that if a steam packet plied at this moment between Bombay and Cosseir, numbers of people from every part of India would prefer going by her, in preference to round the Cape, even if they were certain of only a common shipping conveyance from Alex. andria, The plague and the quarantines are certainly at present a great objection, and a source of considerable annoyance, and would be a powerful obstacle to families proceeding by Egypt; but to single men they would not appear of the same consequence, and if the Pacha lives, and continues to take the same interest as he does at present, in the agriculture, commerce, and police of the country, it may be fairly expected, that in a few years there will be little more difficulty or danger in travelling between Cosseir and the Nile, than there at present is between Bombay and Poona; while under the new regulations regarding health that are establishing, the plague will probably either disappear altogether, or be much less frequent in its visits. The route itself, too, affords so many objects of interest and curiosity, that these alone would be sufficient to decide most people to adopt it, even if the difficulties were far greater than they are at present. A person, as his taste or inclination may lead him, has an opportunity, without almost going out of his way, of examining the stupendous remains of Egyptian antiquity, of visiting the Holy Land, and, last of all, exploring the classic countries of Greece and Italy. In fact, a person proceeding by Egypt, by seizing opportunities actually thrown in his way, may return to bis native country with his mind stored with much rare and interesting knowledge, and with a newly-acquired relish for pursuits which may tend much to his future comfort and happiness. In returning round the Cape, there are none of these advantages, nothing to interest or amuse, nothing but the everlasting monotony of a ship; and on a person's arriving in England by this route, all that he will probably be able to boast of having seen, will be St. Helena, a shark, a booby, or an albatross.

Besides, considerable doubts seem to exist at present as to the practicability of establishing a permanent steam navigation by the Cape, not only from the speculation, being likely to turn out a

ruinous one, but from the quantity of fuel required to be carried, and the constant and rapid accumulation of salt in the boilers, the delay caused by removing which, it is supposed, will almost counter balance the other advantages. We understand, in proof of this, that the Lightning steam vessel, that went to Algiers, was obliged to touch at Corunna, Oporto, and Gibraltar, for the purpose here stated, of getting her boilers cleaned out; and if this was really the case, it will be a strong argument against the success of steam navigation, in so long a voyage as that between England and India, even with all the places it is possible to put into during the passage. The vessel now fitting out, if she even makes the attempt at all, will probably be expressly sent for the purpose of obtaining the very liberal reward that has been offered by the people of Calcutta; and even if she reaches her destination in the required time, unless the hydrogen gas system succeeds, she will probably be the first and the last of her kind that will appear on this side of the Cape of Good Hope.

No one can wish more than ourselves every success to steam navigation,whether set in motion from Calcutta, Madras or Bombay, or whether used round the Cape or up the Red Sea: only we think the last the best route, both as being the shortest and the most interesting. Unfortu nately, however, we see little prospect of its immediate adoption, in a permanent form. British enterprize, we are aware, able to overcome the greatest difficulties; but British enterprize requires, at the same time, to be stimulated by the prospect of acquiring equivalent advantages; and the most sanguine advocate of steam navigation will hardly say, that such a prospect exists at the present moment.

is

We have only alluded above to the advantages that would be derived to people returning from this country to England, by the establishment of steam navigation between Bombay and Cosseir. To those coming to India, they would be equally great. The odious appellation of griffin would be no longer heard. The young men for the civil and military ser vices will arrive among us with their minds in some degree enlarged by travel, and from their intercourse with the people of different countries, they would be disarmed of half their prejudices, and gradually familiarized with oriental manners and customs, and consequently more fitted to enter upon the duties they might be destined to perform. The very difficulties they have occasionally to encounter, would tend to increase their manliness of charac ter, and at all events they would enjoy opportunities of improving themselves, and enlarging their experience, which they would never possess while confined to a