Ceylon is 300 miles leng, and 140 broad; and contains 1,500,000 inhabitants. It is subject to Great Britain, and its chief town is Candi. Columba on the west, and Trincomalee on the east, are its chief ports.

5. MOUNTAINS.-The Himalayah chain, forming the northern boundary; the Vindhai mountains, adjoining the Nerbuddah; and the Western and Eastern Gauts, which run along the west and east coasts.

6. RIVERS. The Burrampooter, the Ganges, the Godavery, the Kistna, the Cavery, the Nerbuddah, and the Indus.

The Burrampooter rises in Tibet, and after a course of 1600 miles, falls into the Bay of Bengal.

The Ganges rises on the southern side of the Himalayaḥ Mountains, and after a course of 1500 miles, falls into the Bay of Bengal. During its course it receives five large and several small rivers. Near its mouth it divides into several branches, on the western of which, called the Hoogley, stands Calcutta, the capital of British India. It passes Allahabad, Benares, and Patna. This river is held sacred by the Hindoos, and many religious rites are performed at it.

The Godavery rises on the eastern side of the Western Gauts and after an easterly course of 800 miles, falls, through two channels, into the Bay of Bengal.

The Kistna also rises in the Western Gauts, and after a winding course of 650 miles, falls into the Bay of Bengal, to the south-west of Masulipatam.

The Cavery, from the Western Gauts, runs by Seringapapatam and Trichinopoly, and falls into the Bay of Bengal at Tranquebar.

The Nerbuddah runs from east to west 750 miles, and falls into the Gulf of Cambay, north of Surat.

The Indus, or Scind, rises in Tibet, and after a course of 1300 miles, falls into the Arabian Sea below Tatta.

To the south of the Nerbuddah all the rivers flow eastward, as the Eastern Gauts are not so high as the Western.

7. CLIMATE. The northern parts enjoy a moderate climate, but the southern districts feel the heat of the tropical regions.

8. PRODUCE.-Silks, spices, drugs, rice, wheat, barley, millet, maize, the sugar cane, the mulberry tree, cotton, and indigo; also forests of the most stately growth, and fruit trees of the finest kind. The pas tures are rich, and the most valuable of the domestic animals are the elephant, the camel, and the buffalo. The sheep have hair instead of wool. Among the wild animals the lion, the Bengal or royal tyger, the leopard, and the rhinoceros, may be mentioned. Hindostan is very rich in mineral treasures, of which the diamonds of Golconda and Orissa are the most celebrated.

9. MANUFACTURES.-Muslins, calicoes, silks, shawls &c.

10. COMMERCE.-The exports are diamonds, nitre spices, drugs, rice, sugar, raw-silk, and cotton; and the chief imports, wines, spirits, malt liquors, and manufactured goods.

11. GOVERNMENT.-The four leading powers of Hindostan, are the British; the Eastern and Western Mahrattas; the Nizam, or Soubah of the Deccan; and the Seiks. The governments are all despotic.

12. RELIGION.-Although Christianity has been introduced by Europeans, idolatry is still the prevailing religion of the country.

13. MANNERS AND CUSTOMS.-In the complexion of the Hindoos there are all the intermediate grada

tions between a deep olive and a near approach to black; their hair is long, and their make, especially to the south, slender and delicate. They are mild and inoffensive, peculiarly formed for the quietude and comfort of domestic life. They are divided into four castes, the bramins, or priests; the soldiers; the husbandmen and traders; and the labourers and servants. The different castes are not allowed to intermarry, nor join in any of the common offices of life. In general, they abstain from animal food, subsisting on rice, butter, milk, and vegetables.

REMARKS.

Calcutta, situated 100 miles from the sea, is the capital of the British possessions in Hindostan. Here the Governor General, and Council of Bengal reside, who have a controul over the Presidencies of Madras, Bengal, and Bombay. It has very extensive commerce. Madras, on the Coromandel coast, is second in rank of the three British Presidencies. Bombay, on an island of the same name, is the third in rank of the three British Presidencies, and has an excellent harbour. Delhi was formerly the chief city of Hindostan, and the residence of the Great Mogul.

Hyderabad is the capital of the Nizam's dominions; Poonah, of the Western Mahrattas; Nagpoor, of the Eastern Mahrattas; and Tatta, of the Seiks.

Seringapatam, the capital of Mysore, was taken by the English in 1799, and Tippoo Saib, the sovereign, fell during the assault.

The provinces between the Nerbuddah and the Kistna are generally called the Deccan; although this term is sometimes extended to the whole region that lies to the south of the Nerbuddah.

QUESTIONS FOR EXAMINATION.

1. How is Hindostan bounded, &c. ?

REMARKS.-Where is Calcutta situated, and of what is it the capital? Who reside here, and over what have they controul? What is said of its commerce? What is said of Madras? Bombay? Delhi? Which is the capital of the Nizam's dominions? The Western and Eastern Mahrattas? The Seiks? What is said of Seringapatam? What provinces are generally called the Deccan, but to what is it sometimes extended?

EASTERN PENINSULA, OR INDIA BEYOND THE GANGES.

1. BOUNDARIES.- -This country is bounded on the north by Tibet and China; on the east by the Gulf of Tonquin and the China Sea; on the south by the Gulf of Siam and the Strait of Malacca; and on the west by the Bay of Bengal and Hindostan.

2. EXTENT. It extends from 1 to 26° N. latitude, and from 92° to 108o E. longitude; being about 1700 miles long, and 900 broad.

3. DIVISIONS.-India, beyond the Ganges, comprises the Birman Empire, the Empire of Tonquin, and the Kingdoms of Assam, Siam, and Malacca.

4. RIVERS.-The Irrawady and Thalwau, in the

Birman Empire; the Meinam, in Siam; and the Maykaung, in the Empire of Tonquin,

Assam, lying between Bengal and Tibet, is 300 miles long, and 70 broad; and is intersected by the Burrampooter and several other rivers. It is very fertile, and yields gold, found in the beds of the rivers, ivory, pepper, silk, and cotton. The inhabitants are genuine Hindoos, and are very shy in permitting foreigners to come amongst them. They are uncivilized, vindictive, and fond of war.

The Birman Empire, which occupies both the central and western part of India beyond the Ganges, comprises the former kingdoms of Ava, Atacan, and Pegu. It is 1200 miles long, and 700 broad, and extremely fertile. It produces the teak tree, or Indian oak, which is said to be more durable, and to resist the worms better, than any wood that is known. The mines produce gold, silver, tin, lead, antimony, arsenic, and sulphur ; also, rubies, sapphires, crystal, and amber, in great abnndance. The Birman government is strictly monarchical, and the Emperor's will absolute. He is, however, assisted by a council. The religion is the Hindoo, of the sect Boodh. The Birmans, or Burmese, are lively and inquisitive, strong and robust, cruel and ferocious in war, but mild and civilized in the common intercourse of life.

Empire of Tonquin.-This empire comprises Tonquin Proper, Cochin China, Cambodia, Siampa, and Laos. The sovereign of Tonquin has lately assumed the title of Emperor.

Siam, situated in a wide vale between two ridges of mountains, is 500 miles long, and 200 broad. It produces rice in abundance, and minerals and precious stones are found in many parts. The elephants of Siam are unrivalled for beauty and sagacity; and the white variety is highly valued, and looked upon as sacred. The Siamese pay great respect to the aged, consider begging dishonourable, and theft infamous. The government is an absolute monarchy; and the religion similar to the Birmans.

Malacca is 600 miles long, and 150 broad. The Malays are a commercial people, and very active; but restless, fond of adventures, navigation, war, and plunder. They are said to be treacherous, vindictive, and ferocious. The country is rich