tub will be supplied to the hospital of each native corps on the establishment, under the orders of the Military Board, and according to the description and dimensions with which they will be furnished by the Medical Board. These bathing tubs are to be surveyed and regularly delivered over to the medical officers of corps at each relief, as a part of the hospital furniture. Whenever reported unserviceable or repairable by the surgeons, Commanding Officers will order a Committee of Survey in the usual manner, and the Commissariat Department will supply deficiencies according to those reports.

ESTATES OF OFFICERS OF H. M. REGIMENTS.

Fort William, July 31, 1823.-1. A question having arisen as to the effect of Article 3, Sect. 19, of the articles of War of 1822, in excluding the estates of officers of his Majesty's regiments serving in the East-Indies from the operation of the Act of Parliament under which the Registrar of the Supreme Court of Judicature is empowered and required to apply for letters of administration of the estates of British subjects dying intestate; the Governor General in Council, with a view to remove any doubt on the subject, directed a reference to be made to the Advocate General, whose opinion is to the fol. lowing effect, viz. That the article and section above quoted cannot be legally held to bar the right of the executor or administrator, within the territorial possessions of the East-India Company, to receive the surplus effects of a deceased officer, after payment of his regimental debts and expenses of interment; and that, it being a part of the public duty of the Registrar of the Supreme Court to apply for letters of administration of all British subjects dying intestate within the territories subject to the Presidency of Fort William, the right in question generally devolves on that officer.

2. In order, therefore, to afford the Regis trar the most early and authentic information of the state of the assets of British officers dying under such circumstances, the Governor General in Council directs, that the Presidents of the Committees which as

semble on the demise of officers dying intestate, whether in his Majesty's or the Honourable Company's service, shall forward directly to the Registrar of the Supreme Court a copy, duly authenticated, of the proceedings of the Committee, as soon as they are closed.

3, For a definition of the words "regimental debts," and what are to be so considered, the Advocate General refers to the Act of the 58th year of the late King, cap. 73, sec. 1, which declares to be such, "all sums of money due in respect of any military clothing, appointments and equipments, or in respect of Asiatic Journ-No. 99.

any quarters, or of any mess or regimental accounts, and all sums of money due to any agent, or paymaster, or quarter. master, or any other officer on any such account, or on account of any advances made for any such purpose."

4. Adverting to the definition of “regimental debts," given above, any payments made by authority of commanding officers not coming within the intent and meaning of the Act, will be at their own risk.

SITUATION OF BARRACKS AND HOSPITALS.

Fort William, Aug. 8, 1823.-It being essential to the health of the troops that great attention should be paid to the position and aspect of all barracks and hospitals, it is hereby directed that, previous to laying the foundation of such buildings in all future cases, the Superintending Surgeon of the Division, or in his absence the Senior Medical Staff at the station, invariably be consulted on the subject, and that Commanding Officers shall conform to the opinion of such Medical Staff, officially given in writing, or refer the question, should they see cause, with all documents connected with it, through the Military Board, for the decision of Government, as quickly as possible.

President, Rev. D. Corrie (in the Chair); W. B. Bayley, Esq.; W. Prinsep, Esq.; E. A. Newton, Esq.; W. Leycester, Esq.; Rev. Dr. Parish; Rev. W. H. Mill; Rev. G. T. Crawfurd; J. H. Alt, Esq.; E. Brightman, Esq.; H. Shakespear, Esq.; W. H. Abbott, Esq.; and Rev. J. Hawtayne, Secretary.

After prayers had been read by the Chairman, the Secretary read the following letter from the Rev. W. Parker, Assistant

Secretary to the Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge, and the printed resolutions contained therein.

"To the Rev. J. Hawtayne, Secretary of the Calcutta Diocesan Committee Society, P. C. K.

"Sir:-In transmitting to you a copy of the resolutions adopted at two special general meetings of the Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge, I am desired by the committee therein named to state, that, anxious as the Board are to testify their sense of the zeal and energy with which the late Lord Bishop of Calcutta promoted, in the East, the great ob

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jects of the Society, they yet feel that they would not be justified in appropriating for that purpose any part of those funds which are exclusively applicable to the Promotion of Christian Knowledge. The Board, therefore, must depend upon the liberality of the individual members of the Society for the completion of their design: and they indulge a hope that, through the cordial co-operation of the diocesan and district committees, their expectation will be fully realized.

I have much satisfaction in acquainting you, that Mr. Chantry has promised to execute the monument intended to be placed in the cathedral church of St. Paul. "I remain, Sir,

"Your most obedient and faithful servant, (Signed) "WILLIAM PARKER, "Assistant Secretary." "Bartlett's Buildings, Dec. 27, 1822. After which, W. B. Bayley, Esq. rose, and addressed the meeting as follows:

,,

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"Gentlemen: I have been requested to propose to your acceptance certain resolu. tions, connected with the special object of our meeting on this occasion. I regret that this honourable duty has not devolved upon some one duly qualified to introduce the subject to your attention in the manner in which it ought to be introduced. shall leave to others the grateful task of enlarging on the character and high qualifications of our late lamented Bishop, and I shall be pardoned for offering, as an individual honoured by the personal regard of Dr. Middleton, a few brief remarks on this occasion. It has already called forth the voice of our Society at home, and at one of our sister Presidencies, in testimony of the exalted character and the distinguished qualities of the first Bishop of Calcutta; and it would least of all become us, who were ourselves witnesses of the zealous interest taken by Dr. Middleton in the prosperity of this society, if we were to pass a silent vote on this occasion.

"In undertaking the episcopal charge of India, Dr. Middleton resigned, what is generally esteemed most valuable, a situa. tion of present ease and of future distinction in his native land, to engage in an arduous enterprize in a distant and uncongenial climate, where the issue of his labours was doubtful, the difficulties to be encountered numerous, and the reward at all events distant. It was on his part a sacrifice, the extent of which can scarcely be appreciated, but by those whose habits have been similarly formed; it was the loss of learned leisure, and of literary society; it was the voluntary exchange of these advantages for a situation, where he could meet with few with whom he could freely communicate on the subjects which had hitherto chiefly occupied his mind, and exercised his masculine and powerful understanding. We have seen him pursuing

with stedfast perseverance the arduous course of duty he had marked out for himself, and executing with firmness and moderation what he had decided in his own judgment to be best; having at heart the honour of his office rather than his own, and making it his conscientious duty to transmit that office to his successors unimpaired; and to lay a foundation, on which those successors might best build a lasting and useful fabric. To his moderation and prudence, amidst the arduous duties to which his life was devoted in this country, the most honourable testimony has been borne by the Supreme Government; and the members of this committee will be proud to bear witness to his zeal for religion, and his anxious care for the interest of that society, whose chief concern it is now to record his virtues. In this grateful work we are called on to co-operate, and I shall therefore beg leave to propose the following resolutions.

"1st. That this committee do respectfully acknowledge the receipt of the communication from the Society, and the satisfaction which they have derived from the intention therein expressed to erect a monument in St. Paul's cathedral to the memory of the late Lord Bishop of Calcutta.

"2d. That this Meeting does fully par ticipate in the sentiments of respect and veneration entertained by the Society towards the character of this lamented prelate, having for a period of several years witnessed his eminent zeal for the church, and more especially for the Society's interests committed to his care.

"3d. That, therefore, in compliance with the Society's suggestions, this meeting do cordially contribute their aid, individually, towards enabling the Society to erect the proposed monument, as a tribute to the exalted character of our late diocesan, and request the secretary to invite the absent members of the committee to concur in this mark of respect designed by the Society.

"4th. That contributions be limited to the amount of one year's subscription to the funds of this committee, and to be paid into the hands of the secretary or treasurer, -Agreed.

"Resolved further, That if sufficient funds shall have been raised for the erection of the monument in the manner proposed, so as to render the additions made from this committee unnecessary, the Society be requested to return the surplus, with a view to founding an additional Scholarship in Bishop's College, to be denominated Bishop Middleton's Scholarship."-Cal. John Bull, July 30.

ROPE BRIDGE OF SUSPENSION DIRECTED TO BE CONSTRUCTED BY A NATIVE.

We are most happy to learn that Mr. Shakespear has been solicited by an opulent

and public-spirited native of rank, Rajah Shebe Chundar Roy, to direct the construction of one of his rope bridges, to be thrown over the Caramnassa River, which intersects the great north-west road about forty or fifty miles on this side of Benares, and that Government has cheerfully sanctioned and encouraged this highly creditable and praiseworthy mark of generosity on the part of the Rajah, in thus promot ing, at his own personal expense, the convenience and comfort of his countrymen. Mr. Shakespear has accordingly been authorized to afford his aid in giving effect to this laudable intention; and the eminent success which has hitherto attended his singularly curious bridge over the Berai torrent, in so remarkable a season as the present, when the whole country is inundated, and multitudes resort to it as their only succour in passing the torrent, affords sanguine hopes of similar success in his present spirited undertaking, though the span will be little short of three hundred feet!*

The Hindoo, therefore, who saves his sect from pollution, by giving a free passage over this dreaded stream, cannot fail to be highly applauded, and considered as a public benefactor.

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The Caramnassa, or more correctly Karma-násà, is one of the rivers of India which have rather unaccountably incurred popular odium. The name implies the destroyer of pious acts, and in a memorial verse, common amongst the natives, the mere contact of its water is said counteract all merit previously acquired by attention to the observances of the Hindoo religion. The real motive for pronounc ing such a character upon the waters of this stream is utterly unknown, and even the legend professing to explain it is not very familiar to the Pundits. The late Colonel Wilford has introduced it in his first essay on the ancient Geography of India (Asiatic Researches, vol. xiv), the commencement of a series which, although believed to be considerably advanced in manuscript, is now, we apprehend, little likely to be given to the public.

The story, as it appears in the account now cited, is this. The waters of this Maulee (the same as the Caramnassa), were originally as pure as those of other rivers, until contaminated by an impure admixture, which gave to the stream its present character and appellation.

Frisanku, an ancient King of Oude, aspired to elevate himself by pious aus

terities to a seat amongst the Gods, and by the aid of Visvamitra effected his object. Indra threw him down again; but the friendly sage arrested his fall in the midheavens, and the matter was compromised by the king's being left suspended in the air with his head downwards. In this aukward position, the saliva from his mouth falls upon the Vindhya mountains, where the Karma-násà rises, and mingling with its waters, renders them impure throughout their course.

Whatever may be the cause, however, the popular superstition is not the less earnest, and, what is worse, practical. A Brahmin who has to cross the river, is in terrible alarm lest he should be sprinkled by the water, and in no case will he ford it. During the greater part of the year the Caramnassa is forbade even at its mouth; but travellers by land are carried across it in the arms of a ferryman. the rains, it of course requires a more reputable conveyance, and passengers are ferried over in boats. Luckily for the people who dwell upon its banks the river is not impure for them, and they are permitted to use and touch its waters with impunity.

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The Caraminassa has other claims to consideration, and its identification with ancient appellations is the theme of learned controversy; Major Rennell considering it as the same with the Commenases of Arrian, and Colonel Wilford regarding it, in its ancient name of Maulee, as the Omalis of the same writer.

The source of this river has never yet been laid down. Colonel Wilford states it to rise in that part of the Vindhya hills called Vindhya Maukka. It separates the provinces of Behar and Benares, and is but a few miles west of Buxar; running into the Ganges between two villages, ble extent, with several mosques of modern Perper and Barra, the latter of consideraerection.-[Cal. Gov. Gaz. Aug. 21.

IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CITY OF CALCUTTA. (Letter addressed to the Editor of the Bengal Hurkaru.)

While we are ready to point out nuisances for correction, and so prompt in discovering inconveniences and disagreea bles, it is our duty to be no less so in bringing to notice any improvement or addition to the comfort of the good people of this city. Calcutta is a place that is making a very rapid progress in every thing, and her mental improvement seems to me to be keeping pace with the improved appearance which she has assumed. Perhaps so much has not been done in any city in a long period of years, as has been done in this within the last three or four. To take a review of the whole of them would be impossible; but I will mention

THE DIANA STEAM PACKET.

two or three of them, which reflect the highest credit on the Lottery Committee, who have the management of these things. And, first and foremost, is the quay on the river side, which continues to advance daily, and which is, at the same time, a work of ornament as well as of utility. It affords facility in landing goods, furnishes a safe and commodious road, and secures the banks of the river from falling down or being injured, the reparation of which is so expensive and tedious an operation. The building of ghauts, too, affords a safe landing place at all times: an object of the very greatest utility. The jetties which have been constructed for the landing of goods, preserve these ghauts from being injured by blows from heavy or hard bodies, while they are safer for lifting heavy weights than any power which could be brought to act at the ghauts. Few cities possess so many facilities and advantages in this way as Calcutta now does; and I trust that I shall see them continue to advance, until they are introduced into every department connected with her trade and commerce.

Another great improvement is the widen ing and draining the streets, which has now been so generally adopted. The neighbourhood of Wellington Square bears ample testimony to this fact; for on that spot stood, not many years ago, an assemblage of the most filthy huts which any where disgraced Calcutta. These were principally inhabited by lascars, a race of men who are notorious for their filth when on shore in their houses; and this now elegant place was, at the time to which I allude, the sink of all the filth which such a set of men could collect. This has all been happily removed, and in its place stands one of the finest ornaments of Calcutta. Then again in the neighbourhood of the burying-ground, what an improve. ment has been made by demolishing the bazar which once stood there, and the spot is now being studded with handsome houses. The stopping up of the Mahratta ditch is another of those improvements for which we are indebted to the exertions of the Lottery Committee, while the general excellent state of the circular road affords a safe and delightful drive to the inhabitants of the city. There is one road leading from Calcutta which now requires some attention, namely, that leading to Barrackpore. The Chitpore road, as it is called, is so narrow, that it is surprising more accidents do not happen in it, and in this state it continues until after you have passed the bridge at the end of the Bagh Bazar, where it begins to get better. From thence to Barrackpore, the road is excellent, and is as smooth as almost any in England, and does the greatest credit to those who had the superintendence and execution of it.-13th Aug. 1823.

We are most happy to learn that the Diana steam packet succeeds to admiration, stemming the rapid freshes of the river with a velocity perfectly astonishing. She left Chandpaul Ghaut at 11 A.M. of Saturday, in charge of Mr. Anderson, the engineer, and piloted by Mr. Branch, Pilot Bason for Serampore, to take on board his Excellency Colonel Krefting, the Governor; she manoeuvred off the town for some time until his Excellency and suite embarked, when she proceeded up to Chinsurah. 'The whole time occupied in running the distance from Calcutta to Chinsurah was between six and seven hours. There was no flood, but, on the contrary, the freshes were very strong, running at the rate of at least six or seven knots per hour; yet the steam boat moved up the river against this extraordinary current, at the rate of four or five knots; a proof of her speed that must be satisfactory to the most sceptical, we should think. In the afternoon the vessel returned to Serampore, where his Excellency and suite, with the rest of the party on board, landed, and partook of an elegant entertainment prepared for the occasion. The party returned to Calcutta on Sunday morning.

As the vessel passed up, the banks of the river were crowded with natives, gazing with stupid wonder on this novel scene. To behold a vessel thus stemming a furious tide, without the aid of oar or sail, and sending forth from a black column, standing in the usual place of a mast, a volume of smoke, was indeed a sight well calculated not only to excite the curiosity, but to work on the superstitious fears of the natives; they gazed on it with silent amazement, or with loud expressions of astonishment, as the feelings of fear of curiosity predominated, utterly unable to divine the power by which the vessel was impelled with such velocity. Such was the effect of this specimen of the triumph of science over the elements, on some of the more ignorant natives, that several of them, it is said, actually leaped out of their boats into the river through fear. We do not vouch for this: but it is by no means improbable. Be this as it may, the passing of the steam-boat occasioned a complete native holiday. Nor were the natives the only beholders of the interesting spectacle, for every window in every house in Serampore, Chandernagore, and Chinsurah, that commands a view of the river, was filled with eager spectators.

There is every reason to believe that this first trip up the river on the steam-boat will be succeeded by many others, for all the party speak with rapture of the delight they experienced in the trip, and declare they never passed a pleasanter day in India. To those who have only one day