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Britain and Bengal, by steam navigation, were unanimously adopted, with a few verbal amendments, in the following

terms.

First. That the proposed bonus, or premium, be offered for the establishment of a permanent communication between Great Britain and Bengal, by steam packets, navigating by either of the two routes, of the Red Sea, or the Cape of Good Hope.

Second. That the amount received under the subscription opened for this purpose, (deducting therefrom any disbursements authorized by a general meeting, or Committee of the subscribers,) or if the neat receipts from the subscriptions shall exceed the sum of one lac of Sicca Rupees, so much thereof as shall amount to that sum, be assigned, as a premium, to any individuals, or company, being British subjects, who may first establish a communication by steam vessels between Great Britain and Bengal, by either of the routes abovementioned, before the expiration of the year 1826.

Third. That the communication, required for the premium above stated, shall be considered to have been established on the completion of two voyages, or passages, from Great Britain to Bengal, and two voyages from Bengal to Great Britain, by the vessel or vessels of any individuals, or company, being British subjects, within a period not exceeding an average of seventy days for each of the four voyages; provided further, that such vessel or vessels be not of a less burthen than three hundred tons, or three hundred and fifty tons, whilst the act of Parliament, which requires that burthen for British ships proceeding to India, shall remain in force.

Fourth. That if the full premium be not earned by any individuals, or company, under the foregoing rules, by the completion of two voyages or passages out, and two home, as required, within the limited period; but one voyage from Great Britain to Bengal, and one from Bengal to Great Britain, shall have been performed, in conformity with the preceding rules, before the expiration of the year 1826; a moiety of the stated premium shall be assigned to the individuals, or company, being British subjects, by whose vessel or vessels such two voyages, out and home, shall have been so performed.

Fifth. That the amount subscribed for the purposes above stated, (with, an

exception to authorized disbursements, as provided for in the second rule,) be lodged, as received, or as socn afterwards as may be convenient, in the hands of the Government agents; to be invested in the public securities of the remittable loan; the accruing interest upon which, until the principal be called for, to be invested in the same manner; and the aggregate, provided it shall not exceed the sum of one lac of Sicca Rupees, the stated limitation of the premium, to be assignable as above, in whole, or in part, to the persons who may be entitled to the full premium, or a moiety of it.

Sixth. That all claims to the premium receivable under the foregoing rules, or to any part thereof, be finally determined by the Committee of Managers, to be elected at the present general meeting of subscribers: and in the event of any part of the amount subscribed remaining unappropriated in the hands of the Government agents, at the expiration of the year 1826, and of no persons being entitled to receive the same, that the balance so remaining be at the disposal of a general meeting of the subscribers, for any purpose connected with the object of promoting a permanent communication, by steam vessels, between Great Britain and Bengal; either by a partial reimburse ment of expense incurred in a meritorious, though unsuccessful attempt to establish steam packets as proposed; or by any other application of the unappropriated fund in hand to the purpose above stated, which may appear just and proper. If any balance remain, which may not be so applied, it shall be returned to the subscribers, or their representatives, in proportion to their respective subscriptions.

Calcutta Hunt.-On Saturday the 27th Dec. the Calcutta Hunt gave a sumptuous dinner to Captain Cumberlege of the Ganges, at the race stand. Mr. Henry Shakespeare was in the chair; many appropriate sporting toasts were given; many appropriate sporting songs were chaunted; and the evening spent in great mirth and hilarity.

Masquerade. A splendid masquerade was given to the settlement by Mr. Robert Saunders, at the house of Mr. William Prinsep, on the evening of theinstant. The rooms were crowded with all the fashion and gaiety of Calcutta,

and a vast variety of characters gave life and animation to the scene. The entertainer himself personated King Hen⚫ ry VIII. and the groupe of royal wives, officers, and attendants, formed the prominent object of attraction.

Concert.-A concert at the Town Hall, previous to the departure of Mr. and Mrs. Lacy for Europe, adds another to the festivities of the month. The songs of Mrs. Lacy were given in her usual style of excellence; and the whole performance, both vocal and instrumental, formed a rich treat to the musical world.

Calcutta Bible Association.-The Second Anniversary Meeting of this Association was held on the 2nd January, at the Town Hall, J. P. Larkins, Esq. Vice President, in the chair. It appeared from the report of the committee, that the subscriptions during the past year amounted to 5665 Sicca

Rupees; and the number of Bibles distributed to 5848. The object of this association is to secure the aid and cooperation of the less opulent part of the Christian population of Calcutta ; and it is gratifying to learn, that its success has been so great. A resolution was passed, requesting the President and Vice-Presidents of the Calcutta Auxiliary Bible Society to become Patrons; and the Members of the Committee of that Society, to accept the office of Vice-Presidents of the Calcutta Bible Association.

Avon's Island.-The ship Avon, Captain Sumner, has discovered two islands and a shoal of reefs, lying between Port Jackson and Torres' Straits, which are not laid down in Flinder's chart. Captain S. conjectures them to be of recent formation, and places them in Lat. 19o 30' S. and Long. 158° 10' 30" E. He advises vessels crossing these shoals to do so in Lat. 19° 40' to 45'; but says, in fine weather, and in the day time, he would not hesitate to run between them.

Medical and Physical Society.—At the meeting of the Medical and Physical Society, held on the evening of Jan. 3, 1824, the appointment of officebearers took place for the present year, when the following gentlemen were de clared duly elected :-Dr. Hare, President; Mr. Wilson, Vice-President; and Dr. Adam, Secretary and Treasurer;

and Dr. Swiney, Mr. J. Grant, Dr. Brown, and Mr. Hamilton, Members of the Managing Committee.

Of Non-residents added to the list on this occasion, the Society have been particularly honoured in the names of all the officers, composing the Bombay Medical Board, and that of the Chief Surgeon to the Company's Factory at Canton, Dr. A. Pearson. Several communications from members of the Society were submitted by the Secretary, and donations of books and preparations presented for the library and museum. Exclusively of the subjects purely professional, which came under discussion during the evening, a very interesting paper was read on the geology of the Ganges and Jumna, by a gentleman in the civil service. The rocks met with on the banks of these streams present examples of almost all the varieties of calcareous, argillaceous, and siliceous compounds, from the secondary concretions of Calc-Tuff (kunkur) found every where in the river's bed, to the Greenstone of Pointy, and the primitive Granite of Colgong and Juangira. Syenite and porphyritic masses are also found at some points, and fragments of grey and white Chalcedony. It is remarkable, than no rolled or angular pieces of rock are found in the nullahs proceeding from the hills, by which the formation of the higher ranges might be determined. The neighbourhood of Monghyr is singular, in presenting ridges of Quartz rock, that rise to a considerable height; and the old red Sandstone formation is finely exemplified in the hills of Chunar and Mirzapore. The subject of geological research is comparatively new in this part of the world, and we therefore hail with feelings of real gratification any attempt, to make us better acquainted with the structure of a country, whose features and external configuration differ so widely from our own. We trust the Society, in its physical character, will often have to number among its contributors such zealous and able observers of nature, as the author of the paper, of which we have now given a slight outline. The funds of the Society, it is gratifying to remark, are in a very flourishing state, and the institution altogether has hitherto prospered, beyond the most sanguine expectation of its founders.

Hindoo Literary Society.-On Sunday, Jan. 4, 1824, was held a meeting of some members of the Hindoo

Literary Society, at which it was agreed to establish a college for the instruction of Brahmun youth, solely in reading and repeating the Veds. It was resolved, that four teachers should be engaged at 30 rupees per month, and that 40 scholars should be admitted, each receiving four rupees for his support. The Hindoo gentlemen present then entered their names as donors to the amount of 3000 rupees, and monthly subscribers for 111 Rupees, and the meeting adjourned.

Cathedral. The following appropriate Hymn was sung during the morning service at the Cathedral, on Christmas day. Brightest and best of the Sons of the morning,

Dawn on our darkness, and lend us thine aid!

Star of the East, the horizon adorning, Guide where our Infant Redeemer is laid!

Cold on his cradle the dew-drops are shining,

Low lies his head with the beasts of

the stall,

Angels adore him in slumber reclining, Maker, and Monarch, and Saviour of

all!

Say, shall we yield him in costly devotion, Odonrs of Edom and offerings divine, Gems of the mountain, and pearls of the ocean,

Myrrh from the forest, and gold from

the mine?

Vainly we offer each ample oblationVainly with gold would his favour

secure

Richer by far is the heart's adorationDearer to God are the prayers of the poor!

Brightest and best of the Sons of the morning,

Dawn on our darkness, and lend us

thine aid!

Star of the East, the horizon adorning, Guide where our Infant Redeemer is laid!

JANUARY.-Famine at Madras.—Owing to the want of the usual rains on the coast, the greatest scarcity of rice prevails at Madras. None is to be procured in the bazars, and only at one Banks hall is there any exposed for sale. The rush of the people to obtain a supply is represented as truly dreadful; and the North Beach is said to be covered with hundreds, waiting with the faint hope of being at last fortunate enough

to reach the door. The activity of many European gentlemen has been conspicuously meritorious, in attending to obtain rice for their servants, and to preserve order; but it has been found necessary to call in the aid of a military force, to prevent depredations. It is a subject of the greatest thankfulness to Heaven, that the harvest in Bengal, once apprehended to prove scanty from the heavy rains, has turned out very abundant and Government, with its usual liberality and activity, are dispatch ing a large supply to the coast.

SUPREME COURT.

E. C. Macnaghten, Esq. Accountant General of the Supreme Court, VERSUS the East India Company.-This case arose out of certain transactions with the Government. It appears, that in the month of March 1822, the plaintiff, as Accountant General of the Supreme Court, vested a considerable sum of money in a loan, negociated by this Government, of which interest was payable half yearly, at the rate of six per cent. per annum, until after the expiration of 60 days notice, that such sums of money as were thus vested would be paid off. A notice to this effect was given in the Calcutta Government Gazette of the 14th February 1823, and the time fixed for such payment was the 1st May. This action was brought to recover interest at six per cent. per annum, for such part of the promissory note of the East India Company, describ ed in the special counts of the plaint, as was paid in cash, being 3-10ths of the amount thereof, (the other 7-10ths having been transferred to the new loan,) from the 31st of March to the 30th of April 1823, and also for further interest on the same sum, and at the same rate, from the 30th April to the 14th of June, the date of the actual payment of the said note.

Messrs. Turton and Pemberton were heard in support of the plaintiff's claim, the Advocate General and Mr. Money, on the part of the Company. It was argued for the defendants, that the promissory note of the plaintiff, having been endorsed over when given in, his right to interest ceased from that date, and could not be recovered on the part of the sum, which Government did not think fit to accept under the new loan, which they had advertised, under condition of endorsement. To this it was replied, that it would be monstrous to

imagine, that after calling in promissory notes for transfer to the new loan, to a greater amount, than it was thought expedient to receive, and taking only 7-10ths of the sum thus sent in, the in

terest on the remaining 3-10ths, should be held as having ceased for an instant. In this view of the case the Court concurred, and judgment was given for the plaintiff.

STATEMENT EXHIBITING THE DETAILED RECEIPTS AND DISBURSEMENTS OF THE CHARITABLE AND ALL OTHER VESTRY FUNDS, FROM 1ST OF JANUARY TO THE 31ST OF DECEMBER 1823.

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COMPARATIVE STATEMENT OF PERSONS RELIEVED BY THE ABOVE FUNDS.

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....7623

August,

September,..

October,

November,..

December,

Total number of Persons relieved, including those on General Martine's Fund,

SPECIAL DONATIONS INCLUDED IN THE ABOVE RECEIPTS. Legacy bequeathed by the late Serjeant David Williams, received from Mr. J. Baker, Executor,

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Ditto ditto by the late Mr. James Child, received from Messrs. Col-
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Ditto ditto by the late Hinglass, an African, received from J. W
Hogg, Esq.

Ditto ditto by the late Mrs. Dunsterville, received from Mr. F. D'Ro-
zario, Executor,

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