STEAM COMMUNICATION. To the Right Honorable LORD W.C. BENTINCK, G.C.| My Lord, I have the honor of enclosing for your Lordship's perusal, a copy of a letter, which, on the 20th September last, I addressed to the Secretary to the New Bengal Steam Fund, in which you will perceive that Iexpressed an intention to suspend to my retirement from the service of the subscribers to that fund, until they had been afforded an opportunity of considering the vindication of my conduct, which I had felt it a duty to address to them. I was not then aware of the communication which had been made to you, and reflection upon the nature of that communication has induced me to judge that a departure from the course which I had designed to persue, will, under these circumstances, be more advisable than an adverence to it. As the mere agents ourselves of that committee, we should have felt bound to have acted upon the instructions conveyed to us, although opposed to our own opinion, if we did not possess information and personal knowledge as to your services to that cause, which the Calcutta committee are anxious to promote, beyond what was, or could be possessed by them at the date of their letter of the 1st of May last; and which we cannot but believe would have occasioned a very different feeling from that by which, under a misapprehension, they seem to have been actuated towards you at that period. That we may, however, persue the instructions which we have received from Bengal, so far as they do not make us parties to what appears to us an injustice to yourself, we have to request that you will favor us with Fund committee, that we may transmit forthwith for their a statement of your account with the New Bengal Steam inspection and approval. We remain, dear Sir, your obedient servants, London, 17th Nov. 1837. [Englishman, Feb. 6. REPORT. Of the Committee of the New Bengal Steam Fund to the subscribers to the Fund, and to the petitions at the ninth half yearly General Meeting convened under the 10th Regulation of the Original Meeting of the subscribers to the Fund, held on the 22d day of June, 1833. The Committee of the new Bengal Steam Fund, at this the ninth half yearly Meeting of the subscribers under the 10th Resolution of the original meeting held on the 224 June, 1833, are happy in being able to report that the cause of a comprehensive steam communication is advancing, if not so speedily as might be wished, yet with certainty towards eventual success. Since the last report presented to the meeting, held on the 19th August last, the evidence taken before a Select Committee of the House of Commons, obtained by Lord William Bentinck, has been received and reprinted for circulation in India. Consequent on that evidence, and the recommendation of the Select Committee of a "continued and zealous attention to the subject on the part of her Majesty's Government and the East India Company," a general meeting of the inhabitants of Calcutta and its neighbourhood was held on the 4th ultimo; at which a renewed petition to the House of Commons, and memorials to the Board of Control were passed, as also an address to the Right Hon'ble Lord Auckland. The petition was entrusted to the Com Under these circumstances, and with the strong impression we entertain, that when they shall become as thoroughly aware as we are, of the zeal and ability with which you have endeavoured to promote the adoption and success of the comprehensive plan of steam commu. nication direct to each presidency, the Calcutta committee will be anxious to do you full justice; we believe that we best study the interests, and the probable future wishes of our constituents, in declining to accept your resignation, until we shall have an answer to the communication which we shall think it our duty alike to them and to yourself, immediately to address to them on this subject; and in requesting you as a personal kind-mittee to obtain signatures, and to forward to Lord ness to ourselves to continue your valuable services to us William Bentinck for presentation to the House of and to the cause in the intermediate time as our Commons. Six thousand and nineteen signatures were The accounts are as usual laid on the table for the inspection of the subscribers. The only items on which any remark seems necessary are those for printing and advertising, and especially the latter. despatch it by dak banghy, so that it might be sure off reaching Bombay in time for the Atalanta. The Hon'ble the Deputy Governor was requested to allow it to be despatched free of charge, with instructions that it might be specially entrusted to the Commander of the Steamer with directions to cause it to be speedily delivered to Colonel Campbell, in order to its certain despatch by the first Alexandria steamer; this was most readily granted. The duplicate copy was a the same time despatched by the Repulse. The Committee have addressed Lord William Bentinck, and, according to the tenor of the second resolution of the meeting, of which copy has been forwarded to his Lord ship, have solicited his Lordship's continued exertions. The advertising charges amount to Rs 1, 587-3-11, and between three and four thousand rupees are still due. This heavy charge has been chiefly incurred in advertising the conditional scheme throughout India; as well as in giving notice of the reprints of Dr. Lardner's pamphlet, and the evidence taken before the Select The memorials were forwarded to the Hon'ble the President in Council by the Hon'ble Sir Edward Rya, the chairman of the meeting, with the request of the meet-Committee of the House of Commons. Measures will be taken hereafter to reduce this charge, should extended advertisements be again required. The actual balance amounts to Rs 49, 910-12 7, exclusive of £300 in the hands of the Home Committee. The ing, that they might receive such support as the importaut object might seem to merit. His Honor in Council in reply, has given assurance that they will receive his earnest recommendation. In reply to the address of the inhabitants of Calcutta, Lord Aucklani has expressed balance, however, is subject to a letter of credit in himself in terms the most favorable towards the exten-favour of the Home Committee for £1,000. sion of the cominunications to the three presidencies. The Committee congratulate the subscribers most sincerely on this powerful accession to the cause. The first item is, Rs 1,088 for printing. Of this Rs 888 are on account of the reprint of Dr. Lardner's pamphlet, and Rs 200 are for the reprint of the evidence taken before the Select Committee of the House of Commons, Rs 453,8 will be required. For this latter a further sum of They are happy also to be able to report the deep interest taken in their proceedings in another high and influential quarter. The agents of the Committee at Columbo, Messrs. Partlett and o., report as follows, under date 15th ultimo. "We have deferred address-1837, to 31st January, 1838. ing you to the present time in order to be enabled to report to you for the information of the Committee, the result of an interview we had on the subject with his Excellency the Governor." "We beg you will be good enough to state to the Committee that his Excellency has authorized us to com. municate that, in the event of the plan of steam communication which they contemplate being matured, his Excellency will recommend that the executive Council of this colony should authorize to Government to bear a proportion of the expenditure. His Excellency further expressed his wish to promote the completion of the comprehensive scheme as far as lay in his power" The Committee feel assured that it is wholly impossible the home authorities can resist the force of the evidence taken before the late Select Committee of the House of Commons, backed as it is by the united support of all the Indian Governments, They refrain from expressing as they feel, the value of this support, and especially of that of the Governor-General. They know it to be given under a conscientious sense of its being due to the cause; and they feel satisfied that it must be so received at home. By order of the Committee, Summary statement of receipts and disbursements on account of the New Bengal Steam Fund, from 1st August To balance as per last account The Committee have also the satisfaction of reporting that the feeling in favour of the extended communication is gaining ground to the Eastward. Messrs. Syme and Co. have requested, with reference to the enquiries made at Singapore, that 50 copies of Dr. Lardner's pamphlet might be sent to them for distribution. Only twenty copies being left; they have, together 50 copies of the evidence taken before the Select Committee, been forwarded to them by the Sylph. The Committee did not receive any communication by the last mail from the Home Committee, and they are ignorant whether or not it was the intention of Lord William Bentinck to follow up the report of the select Committee by any motion in the House of Commons. They rely, however, entirely on his Lordship's zeal and judgment; and they feel assured that his Lordship's parting pledge to procure the attainment of the object by every means in his power, as it has been so energetically followed up, so it will never he lost sight of until success is achieved. 54,613 5 4 665 9 6 55,290 11 18 Less Cash due to the Union Interest received on Co.'s paper By Postage, amount Paid for lithograph- 46 15 0 112 8 0 7 -52,183 11 4 396 8 0 330 8 6 .8,088 0 0 618 0 0 .1587 3 11 4 0 0 Letters from the following gentlemen were read: From J. Furnell, Esq., requesting to withdraw from the Society, because he could not afford the expense of forwarding the Quarterly Journal to his station. From the brother of the late Mr. Twining to J. Hutchinson, Esq., expressing the gratitude of himself and family for the marks of respect shewn to the memory of their deceased relative by the Medical Society. The writer requested also that they would furnish his friends in Canada with some memorial of Mr. W. Twining, a collection of his writings, his picture, or some similar token. MEDICAL AND PHYSICAL SOCIETY. Less cash due to the The following communications were presented : Sketch of an epidemic congestive fever that became contagious in a gang of convicts in Macnab, Esq. M. D. Accounts of the cholera which lately prevailed in the Camp of the 2d troop 3d Brigade Horse Artillery, during its march from Mhow, by G. Brown, Esq., Surgeon of the troop. 4,209 3 7 Besides this balance, Co 's Rs. 1,968-8-4, were received on the 1st instant, being a return from MessrsHarding and Thacker out of £500 remitted to them for the purpose of promoting the object at home, making the balance in favor of the fund, Co.'s Rs. 49,910-12-7, the whole balance is subject to £1,000, on account of a letter of credit granted by Messrs. Cockerell and Co : in favour of the Home Committee. 1st. The discussion of the Library question was then resumed, and it war resolved, upon the motion of Dr. O. | Shaughnessy, seconded by Dr. Goodeve, that it would be better not to form any determination upon the subject until the continuance or abolition of the Quartely Journal shall be decided by the votes of the Mofussil members. It was resolved also, that it was not necessary to con Co's Rs 47,942 4 3 Proceedings of a Meeting of the Medical and Physical the Library from the Asiatic Society's appartments, Society of Calcutta held at the Aciatic Society apart- should it hereafter be deemed advisable to resort to that ments the 3d Feb. 1838. measure. Errors Excepted, C. B. GREENLAW, Secy. N. B. S. Fund. Culcutta, Town Hall, Feb. 16, 1838. Hurkaru, Feb. 21, The Members present considered that this would be to serve a drain upon the funds for such an object. It was resolved by the meeting, that a set of the So- The Secretary then stated his willingness to resume ciety's Transactions, a copy of the inscription and draw-charge of the duties, which it was proposed to transfer ing the monument erected over the late Secretary's grave, to Mr. Hill, rather than put the Society to any unneand one of the busts taken after his death, should be cessary expense, although the Office of Treasurer was forwarded to his brother at Halifax. by no means the most agreeable part of his avocation, and he would gladly have freed himself of the task if circumstances had permitted him to do so. The Secretary then stated to the meeting, that in compliance with the resolution passed in January, he had applied to Mr. G. Hill to know upon what terms he would perform the duties of Treasurer to the Society. That gentleman replied that the ordinary terms were ten per cent. upon the collections, but he should prefer a small salary from 25 rupees per month. He steated that he did not wish to make any profit by the office. It was more with a view to increase his connexions that be wished to accept it, and the sum above stated would only suffice to cover his necessary expenses. It was proposed by Mr. Egerton seconded by Mr. Corbyn, that Dr. Goodeve's offer be accepted with the thanks. It was then proposed by Mr. Hutchinson, seconded by Mr. Allan Webb. That, with a view to restore the Society to its pristine state of prosperity, those members who have ceceded from it up to this period, be invited to rejoin, without being called upon to submit to the formality of a ballot. This was carried unanimously. Mr. R. O'Shaughnessy's account of the cases, wherein the artery was successfully tied by him, was then read and discussed. GRAND BALL TO SIR CHARLES METCALFE. The Metcalfe festivals are at length over, the public and their distinguished fêted one will now have a little rest, and "gentle dulness" will now re-assume her reign in the place of popular excitement. Well, all earthly things, as some grave philosopher has observed," have their drawback," and Fame has certainly a share, ay more than its share, of disagreeable appendages. To be the lion of season is one of those enviable distinctions exceedingly beautiful in prospect but very harrassing in reality. We think that we shall like it, but find we don't, and fame instead of being a blessing is discovered to be a dead bore. And now could we discourse most excellent wisdoms upon this same subject of popularity, but as it is our business to write about a ball and supper," we shall bring our morality to a close, leaving thehilosophical reader to carry on, in his own mind, the train of speculations here suggested whilst we devote ourselves entirely to L'Allegro. Three public dinners and a huge omnium gatherum ball we should conceive to be full as much as any mortal being, with ordinary faculties of enjoyment, could go through with satisfaction, to himself in the brief space of one week. We doubt not but that Sir Charles thinks the same, and he must now be cordially rejoiced that these things have become matters of retrospect, and that they are now no more of those irksome affairs hanging over his worthy head. The "grand ball" of Monday was, as Sir Charles said at supper, the closing scene of his Indian career. It is very difficult to say whether it were, or were not, the thing that is usually called "a good party." They who esteem quantity above quality must have been fully satisfied by the aspect of the room about 11 o'clock. We have seldom or never seen the Town-hall more densely crowded at a party of this description, nor do we ever wish to see it so again. It was intended to be a fancy ball but there were very few fancy dresses and most of the distingués present were in their ordinary costumes. Sir Charles Metcalfe arrived about 10 o'clock, and was received by a phalanx of stewards who escorted their honourable guest into the ball room and then opened their ranks for the burra sahib to pass up to his seat at the extremity of the room. Every third gentleman seemed to be a steward, for wherever we turned our eyes we saw a ribband and a round non-descript appendage, with certain letters worked upon it which might have been C.T.M. Dancing commenced imme. diately after the entrance of Sir Charles Metcalfe, and was kept up" with great spirit," (we believe that is the phrase) till a tumultuous rush to the supper room about 12 o'clock put a stop to the Terpsichorean proceedings. We shall take advantage of this break in our narrative to say a few words concerning the two or three fancy dresses which appeared to us worthy of notice. There was a clown, who jumped about considerably; a Paul Pry who played on the castanets, and a Neapolitan Minstrel looking gentleman, who played some airs on a guitar. The Fantastic_certainly prevailed over the elegant in costume on Tuesday night. Mr. Wynyard was admirably dressed as Pam, or "his Nob”—in other words the knave of clubs, and looked precisely like the incarnation of that redoubtable card in some Brobdignagian pack. Dr. Evans, as Mother Goose, trotted about on high heeled shoes arm in arm with Moll Fraggon, who found an excellent representative in Doctor Watson. Mr. Aubert was well dressed as Massaroni, or some other conspicuous Brigand. Mr. Henry Palmer in an excellent costume as that arch scounderel Sir Giles Overreach, and Mr. Pigou as that famous gentleman in Of the ladies we know none to particularize; for there were but very few in fancy-dresses, and with those few we have not the honour to be acquainted. It seemed for some reason or other, to be the prevailing notion that it was more distingué to go in ordinary attire, and consequently amongst the multitude assembled there was but a small sprinkling of fancy displayed. The supper was plentifully sufficient to feed a moderate sized army after a long march. But we did not see any-body in our neighbourhood attempt to diminish the quantity on the board. A sit-down supper is at best an intolerable nuisance, and we had hoped that the system was almost abolished in the City of Palaces. However Charles speak in public, perhaps we may find an excuse as it gave the ladies an opportunity of hearing Sir for it upon this late occasion. Sir Charles sate at a table in the centre of the supper room, somewhat elevated above the others; a small table, which was occupied by some half dozen of the most distinguished denizens of our Indian Community-Miss Ross, Mrs. Shakespeare, Mrs Cameron, Mrs. McGregor, Sir Edward Ryan, Mr. Cameron, and Capt. Prescott. When the assembled numbers had partaken of a little ice, a little jelley, and a glass of champaign, they began to turn their eyes towards the burra table in expectation of the coming oratorical display. Sir Edward Ryan soon rose, and, in a fine clear voice, made a speech well adapted to the occasion. People thumped the table and made a noise-generally at the wrong time- and Sir Charles's Health was drunk with vociferous acclamations from every side. The honorable Baronet then rose and, labouring under considerable emotion, returned thanks sotto voce for the honour conferred upon him, spoke very feelingly upon the subject of parting from so many kind friends, and iu conclusion proposed-"The ladies," a toast, which uniformly carries with it a considerable degree of self-negation, for it invariably makes all their heads ache, owing to the noise which it always elicits. Shortly after this Captain Taylor drew the attention of the company to a circumstance in the life of Sir Charles which reflects upon him no little honour. Among the many characteristics of their distinguished guest, (said Captain Taylor) to which public attention had been directed at the recent entertainments in honour of his departure, there was one which had hitherto escaped notice, a characteristic, which men respect, but which the ladies love, he meant Sir Charles Metcalfe's gallantry. (Applause.) The public would have seen in the papers of the day that Sir Charles had served at the storm of Deeg, but Capt. T. had heard since he entered the room, an anecdote connected with that event, which he thought ought to be publicly stated. In the first Mahratta war in 1804, Lord Lake having been induced to believe that some civil servants in camp did not sufficiently appreciate the dangers, or had spoken slightingly of the difficulties with which he had to contend, observed one day at dinner that it was all very well for civilians to treat such matters lightly, as they had a precious easy time of it! Sir C. Metcalfe was present at that period, a very young man, and to show Lord Lake that the civil service are not those gentlemen of India who live at home at ease, but were made of somewhat sterner stuff than his Lordship seemed to think, he volunteered for the storm of Deeg, and to the admiration of the whole army, entered that fortress sword in hand, among the foremost of the storming party. (Cheers.) Captain T. added, that it was a remarkable fact, and one on which he dwelt with peculiar satisfaction, that the two most distinguished statesmen the Indian civil service had produced, Mr. Elphinstone and Sir Charles be so. (Cheers.) The former, the statesman of Poon- Capt. T., " that rare felicity' is not less the portion of one ah, was a soldier at Assaye, the latter, the states- honoured guest, than it was of Mr. Elphinstone--for man of Delhi, was a soldier at Deeg. (Loud cheers.) without I have misinterpreted the manifestations of public Having mentioned Mr. Elphinstone's name, he might feeling here and elsewhere, of the hundreds present, of well pursue the parallel between these distinguish the thousands absent throughout India, Sir Charles Meted men, for in very many points the resemblance calfe has descended from his throne of power without the was striking, but that the attempt would lead him to loss of a single friend.-(Loud cheers.) Captain. T. too great length; on no one point however did they concluded by requesting the company to join him in more especially resemble each other than in prince- drinking SIR CHARLES METCALFE's health with all the ly liberality and remarkable amenity of disposition honors - as " The Soldier of Deeg.” (Great cheering.) and manner to all classes. It was," said Captain Tay- Sir Charles then rose, but would not "own the soft lor, "my good fortune to be present at the entertainment impeachment," and said that Captain Taylor had been given to Mr. Elphinstone at Bombay, when that gentle partly misinformed upon the subject, although someman was then to quit India for ever, as Sir Charles thing of the kind certainly had taken place; however, it Metcalfe is departing now, amidst the regrets, the tears, did not much signify as Captain Taylor spoke exceedingly and blessings of assembled crowds. In respect to Mr. well, and the company very vigorously applauded. ShortElphinstone, it was then well remarked that he had given ly after this the supper room was vacated, and we, who a useful lesson to all gentlemen who might hereafter rise decidedly agree with Leigh Hunt, that all writers to high stations in public life in India, by showing that -who would cherish their powers universal kindness so far from being incompatible with dignified office, is sure to command universal good-will, and that in his own case it would yield him the rare feli city of relinquishing power without the loss of a single friend. (Cheers.) Unless I am greatly mistaken," said And hope to be deafless, must keep to good hours; took our departure instantly as did many others of the élete! Dancing, however, was resumed and carried on-we know not to what hour, Perhaps they are dancing still.- Hurkaru, Feb. 15. REPORT OF THE GENERAL COMMITTEE IN AID OF THE SUFFERERS BY THE GREAT FIRES IN CALCUTTA IN 1837. By the publication of the Resolutions of the 9th, 12th,, by the month, extending the period of repayment over one 15th, and 16th May last, subscribers were made aware two, or three years; an arrangement obviously inconof the mode of operation determined upon. The Com- venient and difficult to be entered into on the part of the mittee, divided into several sub-committees, have patient-committee, especially when it is remembered that the ly endeavoured to act up to those resolutions, and to money subscribed was for the benefit principally, if not observe the course of proceeding therein laid down: entirely, of the very poorest class of sufferers, and not but they have been obliged to proceed with extreme for those whose situations in life secure them comfortable caution and reserve, having from the first met with con- salaries, by means of which loans might be effected in siderable difficulty from the desire shewn by many of the ordinary way, without application to this committee. the people burnt out to take advantage of the benevolence of the subscribers, from their apathy even in their own behalf, and from local considerations affecting individual cases. It has been found that many who solicited aid at first proceeded shortly to build huts for themselves, shewing that they were not in real distress. In several parts, especially in the districts of the town, under the first and second sub-committee's, there appears to have been little or no necessity to aid the personal efforts of the inhabitants themselves. The committee at an early date made an arrangement for furnishing|mittee are persuaded they will require the whole of the tiles in any required quantity to the poor sufferers, a means at their command for distribution among that measure by which good materials were placed at their class of the sufferers alone. disposal at an uniform and reasonable rate; grants of tiles have been accordingly made to individuals on certificates from the sub-committee, instead of pecuniary assistance, and with beneficial effects. But the principal consideration with the committee is, that although previous to the rainy season their outlay was not very considerable, owing to the causes above assigned, yet as the rains approached and set in, the people without shelter became more desirous of entering into the views of the General Committee, and latterly the applications for assistance became so numerous, that, after the personal observation which most of the members have had of the extent of distress among the poorest peo ple still remaining to be attended to,-the general com Early in January 1838, a sub-committee was appointed for the purpose of enquiring whether it might not be possible advantageously to lay out the remaining funds in the erection of lines of tiled huts, across spaces geneFinding that the setting in of the rainy season ren- rally occupied by thatched huts, or in tiling small clusdered it impossible satisfactorily to carry on their opera-ters of thatched huts, still found in spaces chiefly occutions, the General Committee resolved the execution of pied by tiled huts. The sub-committee was composed the main object of their association, the erection of tiled of the following persons; D. Mc Farlan, Esq., Capt. R. huts in place of those burnt down, until a more favorable J. H. Birch, Capt. F. W. Birch, Dr. Vos, Capt. Vint, state of the weather should enable them to resume it. Baboo Russomoy Dutt, Rustomjee Cowasjee, Esq., During the rains the plan pursued was to bestow Mr. Balston, Mr. Lindstedt, and Baboo Ramdhone assistauce on such persons as were actually without shel- Ghose; and they reported that after having inspected a ter, to enable them to cover in their huts with any de. considerable space occupied by native dwellings in the scription of available materials, restricting such assis- neighbourhood of Fenwick's Bazar, the Free School, tance to those who were in real distress, and only grant-Collingah, and Dhurrumtollah, they were unanimously ing the smallest sums necessary for the object. When the season permitted, the operation of tiling and of sub- "1st. That the funds at our disposal would not enstituting tiles for the temporary thatching was resumed. able the committee to adopt the course proposed in the The committee avail themselves of this opportunity to first alternative in more than one or two considerable explain their reasons for not making loans of large a-spaces occupied by thatched huts, and that the appropri mount to individual sufferers: in the first place no appli- ation of the money to such lines would be to give pe 'cant for a loan has yet offered any sort of security for cuniary advantage to individuals not standing in need the repayment of the money, or for its being made good of it and generally to appropriate to special localities in case of their decease-besides which, the terms of repay- selected (referring to the time and labour we have to of opinion, |