The former class is very confined in numbers, but the latter are abundantly numerous, and may be readily distinguished by the promiscuous company, the shabbiness of the treatment, and the excess of imposition practised, especially on novices. It is extremely easy to avoid the necessity for running into the mouths of these leviathans; all that is requisite being merely to call at the first office, or shop, and to inquire for the residence of the gentleman to whom the letter of introduction may be addressed. No ceremony should-be used in explaining the circumstances, and in soliciting the aid of a servant to lead the way. I never yet heard of a want of civility on such occasions Nothing can be more forlorn than the situation of a mere adventurer, on his arrival in India! With money in his pocket, he may assuredly subsist; but, without some friend to introduce him into society he may remain for years without being noticed; for, throughout the East, and especially at the several presidencies, he who knows nobody, him will nobody know? Residence at a tavern is, in itself, a perfect disqualification among persons of repute; as implying either an addiction to fiquor, or a predilection for low company. "The ordinary mode in which a European is attacked on his first arrival at Calcutta, is by the tender of a bearer, carrying a large umbrella, to shelter master from the sun or rain. There is something about a stranger, in that quarter, which instantly announces him to all the predatory tribe, who wait at the wharfs in expectation of living booty: but, if such were not the case, his total ignorance of the language would be sufficient to determine their conduct. The bearer, who is in league with that numerous horde of miscreants, called sircars, abounding, not only at Calcutta, but throughout the lower provinces, speedily conveys the hint to his associates, when a smooth-faced chap, who speaks English well enough to be understood, and who comprehends more than he will acknowledge, advances, and making a respectful obeisance, called a salaam, by bending his head downwards, and placing the palm of his right hand to his forehead, makes an offer of his services to the stray Briton. The sircar leads him to some paltry tavern; the tavern-keeper, under the plausible pretext of aiding towards the completion of the youth's wishes, never fails to inquire whether the gentleman has any friends in town? or even in the country? If affirmatively answered, "mine host" feels himself tolerably secure of his money: but will probably assert, that the friend in town is out of the way, and will not be back for some days. Should the gentleman be totally destitute of friends, then comes the rich harvest. Imposition following imposition, swells the bill; which, if appearances warrant forbearance, is kept back as long as possible, under the pleasing assurance of perfect confidence: but, in the end, a catalogue of items is produced which never fails to alarm, if not to ruin, the unsuspecting victim! "If, unhappily, the guest should so far lower himself as to associate with the ordinary company of the common drinking room, he is irretrievably gone. Quarrels, riots, and inebriety, must follow; in all probability rendering him subject to the notice of the police. Should his face ever be seen at that office, it would be next to impossible that he should be admitted into any respectable circle. What with lodg ing, dinners, wines, &c. of the worst description, but all rated at the highest prices, he must be a fortunate wight who escapes under a gold mohur [i. e. two guineas] per day: in general, double that sum is charged; so that a person starts at the rate of 1000l. per annum, at least. "If we add the allurements held out by the sable beauties, who will contrive means to retail their charms so long as they think money is to be had, we shall find no trifling expense incurred. This latter part of the ceremony is usually performed by some fellow who can speak English, and thoroughly understands whatever relates to the interest of the concern; which, among other things, includes thieving, lying, cheating, pimping, &c." This description is but too correct. Much might be added as to particulars. The principle of opposition to these, and to many similar decoys, should be laid in a strong sense of virtue and piety before the youth quits England. The subject is of the very first importance. Various deceptions practised by servants, &c. are stated by capt. W. but, neither he, nor any man, can pretend to elucidate them all. In this too, India partakes of infinity. Yet we deem this article, which occupies many pages, as entitling these volumes to marked attention. If such be the situation of male adventurers to India, what must be that of females consigned to that country? Some notion of it, but greatly below the truth, may be formed from our author's remarks, on a different subject; the European concubinage in India. "The number of European women to be found in Bengal, and its dependencies, cannot amount to two hundred and fifty, while the European male inhabitants of respectability, including military officers, may be taken at about four thousand. The outfit is not a trifle. No lady can be landed in India under respectable circumstances throughout, for less than five hundred pounds. Then, again, she should have friends to receive her; for she cannot else obtain even a lodging, or the means of procuring subsistence. "Some allowance must be made for the climate, which by no means suits every constitution, and invariably oppresses all whose minds are ill at ease, or who have not the means of withstanding that influence, so particularly hostile to persons newly importing from Europe. "Let us, however, suppose all these things to be done; and that some worthy dame welcomes the fair adventurer to her house, with the friendly intention of affording an asylum, until some stray bachelor may bear away the prize. We have known some instances of this, and, in particular, of a lady making it, in a manner, her study to replenish her hospitable mansion with objects of this description; thereby ac quiring the invidious, or sarcastick, de signation of 'Mother Coupler.' But such characters are rare; and it generally happens, that those who have the will, do not possess the means, of thus rendering the most essential of services to young women, who, we may fairly say, are, in this case, transported to India, there to take their chance! That several have been thus sent, or, have thus adventured, round the Cape, cannot be denied. In any other country they would have experienced the most poignant distress, both of body and of mind; but, such has ever been the liberality evinced towards this class of unfortunate persons, that, in most instances, prompt, and effectual relief has been administered. It would be easy to adduce cases, wherein the most bountiful subscriptions have been made in behalf of ladies, who, by obeying the summons of husbands, or of parents, have, on arriving in the river, found themselves to be widows, or orphans ! &c. though alive, may be full a thousand miles distant from the metropolis, and be unable to reach it under two or three tions against a lady's proceeding to India; months! Here we see formidable objecbut one, not less powerful, remains to be stated; namely, the immense expense ever attendant upon wedlock in that quarter. Such is the increase of domesticks, of clothing, of accommodation, and, particularly, in keeping a carriage, without which no comfort can be expected, that it is utterly beyond the means of fuil four persons in five to receive a European lady into their houses. Even on a penurious scale, the difference will amount to full three hundred pounds yearly; but if, as is certainly desirable, it be conducted on a more appropriate footing, double that sum must be allowed. Add to this, the peremptory necessity that exists, for send. ing every child to Europe at a very early age; the expense of which is never to be computed under a hundred and fifty pounds. To complete the difficulties attendant on the occasion, it is a thousand to one, but, that, at the end of a few years, the mother is compelled, by those peculiar infirmities inseparable from her situa tion in that climate, to accompany her infants to Europe; there to seek the restoration of health, and console herself among her little offsprings, until the father may, notwithstanding those heavy demands created by the wants of his family, be able to save sufficient money to repair to the objects of his affection. This is no exaggeration: it is to be witnessed annually; and may be seen attended with the most distressing effects to most meritorious individuals, who, unfortunately, allow love to walk in at the door, without observing that poverty is treading upon her train." 'We doubt whether" sittings up," are so completely exploded, as our author seems to conclude. If they be, we connect their history with the present subject, as illustrating what ladies formerly underwent in India, in search of husbands. It might have been added, that unless a lady received proposals within a very few days after her exhibition, her hopes were considered as all but annihilated. Among the several justly exploded ceremonies we may reckon that, which "When the vessel arrives, the parent, existed until within the last twenty years, of sitting up,' as it was called: we must at the same time, do the ci-devant inhabitants of Calcutta the justice to remark, that the practice was evidently founded on good will and hospitality; although it bore so strong a resemblance to the exhibition of a cargo of slaves, as to occasion many a caricature, and many a satirical expenditure of ink. This sitting up, as it was termed, generally took place at the house of some lady of rank, or fortune, who for three successive nights, threw open her mansion towards the evening, for the purpose of receiving all, both ladies and gentlemen, who chose to pay their respects to such ladies as might have recently arrived in the country. The fair damsels were thus at once introduced to the whole settlement, and not unfrequently obtained a variety of offers from men of the first consequence. Many matches have, indeed, been concluded even before the third night of exhibition. If we consider the fatigue attendant upon the return of these numerous visits (for the slightest omission would have been an unpardonable offence) and that the novelty of riding in a bocah (or chair-palanquin) would not be agreeable to all, we may form some idea of what many a delicate female, melting with heat, tight-laced, and tormented with musquito bites, must have undergone during the performance of this ceremony. To the gentlemen of the settlement, it might have been abundantly pleasing. They had nothing to do but post about in their palanquins from one sitting up to another, and there either to admire or to quiz, the fair sufferers according as their taste, or caprice, might dictate. The throng has, in some lovely instances, been so very great, that even a fourth night has been required for the benefit of bachelors from the interiour!" The proposal of captain W. to employ the orphans of Europeans, by establishing a factory in which female labours might be useful, marks his benevolence: others must judge on the propriety of adopting it. It is certainly a lamentable fact that from their destitute condition "it is probably owing to reflection, as much as to their arriving at puberty, that so many of these unfortunate girls [orphans] become insane." The atmosphere of India has very distressing effects on persons newly arrived within its influence. This too, requires caution. Captain W. has well described it. "Nothing can be more preposterous than the significant sneers of gentlemen on their first arrival in India; meaning, thereby, to ridicule, or to despise, what they consider effeminacy, or luxury. Thus, several may be seen annually walking about without chatlahs, (i. e. umbrellas) during the greatest heats; they affect to be ashamed of requiring aid, and endeavour to uphold, by such a display of indifference, the great reliance placed on strength of constitution. This unhappy infatuation rarely exceeds a few days; at the end of that time, sometimes only of a week (nay, I have known the period to be much shorter) we too often are called upon to attend the funeral of the self-deluded victim! The first attack is generally announced by cold shiverings, and bilious vomiting, delirium speedily ensues, when putrefaction advances with such hasty strides, as often to render interment necessary so soon as can possibly be effected. "The glare is certainly far more distressing than exposure to the sun, at some seasons: but nothing can equal the effects of both glare and sun shine, acting upon the human frame, during a midsummer's day; when, perhaps, not a breath of air is moving, when every leaf seems to repose, and every bird, saving the vulture, the adjutant (or argeelah) and the kite, retires to some shady spot, to avoid the solar ray. At such times, the peaceful Hindoo confines himself to an apartment, from which light is generally excluded. There he sits among his family, enjoying his pipe, drinking the pure beverage afforded by some adjacent spring or well; and, in general, avoiding to eat, except of ripe fruits, especially the turbooz, or water melon, until the cool of the evening. In the mean while, however, he perspires copiously, even though in a state of inpunkah, or fan, moved either by his own activity, unless when refreshed by a hand or by that of some menial. "The instinct of the birds above named, to wit, the argeelah, the vulture, and the kite, all of which are extremely numerous throughout India, and contribute greatly to the salubrity of the air, by carrying of astonishing quantities of putrefactive offal, &c. is wonderful! About midday, when the sun's beams strike with incredible force upon the earth's surface, these feathered scavengers ascend, perhaps to the height of seven or eight hundred. yards, so that the largest of them (the argeelah) is scarcely discernable: there they soar beyond the reach of reflection from the heated soil, enjoying the freshness of a cooler atmosphere, and de scending only when allured by the scent of indulge its savage disposition. On first prey." That under such intolerable heats, there should be any who add artificial flame to these natural and inevitable ardours, is astonishing! what may be expected from indulgence in such poisons? not death; but consequences worse than death. "In Bahar, palm trees [tauls] are peculiarly abundant. There we often see groves, of hundreds upon hundreds, let out to the kulwars, or distillers, to great advantage. These venders of misery have the art of rendering the toddy peculiarly potent, by causing it to work upon the kernels of the datura, that grows wild in every part of India, and possesses in every part, whether the stem, root, leaf, or nut, a most deleterious property. Toddy, that has been strongly impregnated with datura (which is the name it hears in the east) acts very rapidly on the brain; producing mania, and, not unfrequently, apoplexy, when drank to excess. Many other hazards attend incautious adventurers. If they remain at home, they can neither form connexions nor transact business of any kind. If they go abroad, they commit themselves to the mercy of accidents, even in the best peopled and most Europeanized parts of the country. If they visit parts less familiarized with their countrymen, they increase their risks, not only in proportion to the length of the journey, but also according to the degree of wildness, yet remaining in the territories and districts through which they pass. Even around Calcutta itself, some danger attends a stroll. Near stations in the provinces the danger is more striking. We adduce an in stance. "It is a great misfortune that, on account of the extreme antipathy the horned cattle of India always exhibit towards Europeans, no possibility exists for remedying many bad practices, and neglects, to which these animals are subject, when under the care of the native servants. An Indian ox, or cow, when at liberty, is always shunned very carefully, lest it should entering that country, the cattle would be cated: for not one in a thousand will admit supposed to be wild, instead of domestithe approach of a European: nor are they always less gentle towards strangers of any description. As to what are called' tame buffaloes, they are commonly more fierce than any British bull, and, when they have calves at their sides; make no scruple of attacking man and horse, with unbounded ferocity. Hence it is extremely proper to be very cautious of approaching herds, or single cattle of either kind, even when tolerably mounted. Sometimes in riding through the country, and especially where jeels [lakes] are to be forded, or pools to be passed, the unwary traveller may find himself on a sudden within a few yards, of a whole herd of buffaloes, which, to avoid the heat of mid-day, wallow in the muddy water, so deep as to have, in general, only their noses and eyes above the surface. Being, perhaps, among rushes, &c. even those parts are not discernible, or, if in an open expanse, may be easily mistaken for clods of mud; for the horns lie back towards the false ribs. On a sudden, the whole herd sometimes rise, and at the least frighten the horse, whatever the rider's heart may be made of. Such a surprise, and from animals that, according to the old saying, 'give but a word and a blow, and the blow comes first,' is far from pleasant. In such situations, all depends on the conduct of the leading bull. If he snorts, shakes his horns, and advances, the danger is imminent. But it frequently happens, that, whether owing to lassitude, or the absence of any object particularly irritating to buffaloes, of which a red coat may be considered the extreme, the herd content themselves with rising from their reclined postures, and, after those who roused them may have passed on, again sink into the friendly pool." Such is one of the risks run by travellers! but those who remain at home are not without risks, which, if less picturesque than a startle of surprise at a herd of buffaloes rising from their cool retreat in a pool, are abundantly more frequent, equally perplexing, and often more dangerous. "During the rainy season, when insects of every description are beyond credibility numerous, it is often absolutely necessary to remove all lights from the supper table; otherwise moths, flies, bugs, &c. would be attracted in such numbers as to extinguish them altogether; but, at all events, to prove extremely obnoxious. When the lights are retained on the table, it is customary to place the candlesticks in soup plates, &c. filled with water. By this means, such insects, especially the stinking-bugs, which fly with great force, are often precipitated and drowned. It is not unusual to catch whole platefuls in this manner, which would otherwise continue to torment the company. Nothing can exceed the irritation produced by these bugs when they get into the hair, or between the linen and the body! Nor are they in themselves innocent; for, though they neither bite or sting, such is the acrimony they possess, that, if bruised in such manner as to leave any moisture on the skin, great heat, and sometimes blisters, followed by excoriations that do not quickly heal, may take place. The same effect is produced by the urine of lizards, which frequent the interiour of houses, and may often be seen in great numbers crawling about the walls or on the ceiling, in pursuit of the smaller and more delicate insects, which they snap up with great dexterity and greediness. It is really amusing to observe with what sagacity and care they approach their prey, and with what rapidity they dart forth their long tongues armed with gluten. With respect to frogs, toads, and, occasionally, snakes, patrolling about the skirts of the apartments, even in the best houses in the country, they must be put up with as matters of course; as must also the alighting of cock-roaches on the face while at table or at cards, &c. nor, indeed, must the resident in India be very squeamish in regard to bats, which freely indulge in aërial circuits over the heads of the company, on which, too, they now and then find it convenient to halt a while, without undergoing the previous ceremony of obtaining permission. These all appear terrible drawbacks, but are scarcely noticed after a while: so strong is the power of habit. Certainly a very considerable portion of the enjoyments, which might otherwise be indulged in, are, in a manner, proscribed by these nuisances; but, whether it be owing to that ennui generally prevalent, or to that kind of reconciliation which takes place between the pest and its sufferer, may be difficult to determine; we, however, see all the old residents treat insects, frogs, toads, &c, with great indifference; though, to be sure, when a snake, of whatever class, makes his entrée, an astonishing degree of activity, far beyond what the former lethargick symptoms could indicate, suddenly prevails. "I have several times seen large snakes coiled or rather twined, among the Venetians of bungalow windows, and have observed that the grass-snake, which is of a beautiful green, with a reddish head, is partial to secreting itself under the leaves of tables, and, in situations of that description, where it may be easily dislodged, or touched by accident. Such a propensity is peculiarly obnoxious in a serpent whose bite is generally futal. This snake may occasionally be seen twisted round the smaller boughs of trees, whence, if disturbed, it drops with great readiness, and proceeds along the tops of the grass with admirable celerity, and, owing to the similarity of its colour, scarcely allowing the dazzled eye to follow its course. It has happened that our extracts present only repellents: other parts of these volumes present attractives: but here we must suspend our report, for the present. FROM THE MONTHLY REVIEW. Lectures on Painting, delivered at the Royal Academy of Arts; with a Letter on the Proposal for a Publick Memorial of the Naval Glory of Great Britain. By the late John Opie, Esq. Professor in Painting to the Academy. To which are prefixed a Memoir by Mrs. Opie, and other Accounts of Mr. Opie's Talents and Character.4to. pp. 259. 17. 48. boards. London. 1809. THE honours which have been paid, in late years, to the character and memory of our distinguished painters, appear to us to be a happy omen of the progress of English art; VOL. III. 3 c since the sensibility, which is necessary to the attainment of excellence in this profession, will find its strongest motive and its best reward in the applause and esteem of enlightened |