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ENTERTAINMENT TO Æ. R. MCDONNEL, Esq.

PRESENTED

To E R. MC DONELL, ESQ.

The public entertainment given to E. R. McDoN- | salver. The cup surmounted with a raven, the family ELL, ESQ., on Saturday last, by the Native Gentlemen crest, and the coat of arms engraved on one side, with of Madras, was in every respect as creditable to them as the following inscription on the other as well as on the it must have been most gratifying to their honored guest. salver: We may say without being accused of flattery, since he will have quitted our shores before these remarks appear, that no man ever spent a long life in India more universally and deservedly admired and esteemed by all classes than Mr. McDONELL; and the Hindoo community in publicly testifying their approbation of his conduct, have" won golden opinions from all sorts of people."

The fête given to Mr. McDoNELL, by his numerous Hindoo friends was a "Subscription Nautch," at the residence of C. V. Juggarow, in Vepery.-All the roads leading to the scene of festivity were lit up with torches for the occasion; and the garden and house were one blaze of light. At half past eight o'clock, the guests, European and Native, began to arrive; and in half an hour the hall was pretty full. The European gentlemen were about sixty in number, principally of the civil and military services; and several ladies were present also. The following programme exhibits the

order of the entertainment above-stairs.

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BY HIS HINDOO FRIENDS AT MADRAS, ON THE
OCCASION OF HIS DEPARTURE FROM INDIA,
AS A SLIGHT TOKEN OF THEIR SINCERE
REGARD AND ESTEEM.

3D FEB. 1838.

Mr. McDonell replied to the following effect:

regret very much that I cannot sufficiently express my feelings at the entertainment given by my native friends. When a man's heart is full he is unable to utter a word. Nothing could have gratified me in this world more than the honour done me this evening. I have been in India for thirty years, and from the situations I have held in the Revenue department, I have had opportunities of being much associated with the natives, and I have liked them very much. Pray accept my thanks for the piece of plate which you have done me the honor to present to me; and which will be pre

Programme of the Nautch, given to Mr. McDonell, served in my family from posterity to posterity."

Feb. 3, 1838.

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effect:

Almost immediately after the presentation of the cup, G. V. Juggarow proposed Mr. Mc Donell's health in a glass of champaigne, which was drunk by the European friends with enthusiastic and deafening applause, Mr. Mc Donell then proposed the health of C. Strenevassay Pillay and the Hindoo gentlemen of Madras, in a brief but very appropriate speech, which was also drunk by the same portion of the Company, with hearty cheers.

larity until midnight. Two sets of dancing girls exThe entertainment was kept up with unbounded hierted their powers for the amusement of the company, at the same time, in very different costumes and received great applause. To persons who never witnessed the sight before, nothing can be more entertaining than the novelties, and, to some extent, the grace of a Hindoo dance; and, in spite of what has been alleged to the does with the legeretté, to use the mildest word of our contrary, nothing can contrast more favourably than it jewells on three of the girls who were dancing together, own Opera-house. It was said that the value of the could not have been less than ten thousand pagodas! They were literally covered with brilliants, not excepting their noses, which were positively tortured with precious stones.

second act, was repeated late in the evening; but on the second occasion she cut limes with her heels instead of sugar cane. It appears hardly credible that of a sharp sword, and at the same time, by pressing with a delicate little girl should be able to stand on the edge her heel, cut a lime in two on the same instrument.

"The Hindoos, whom you have this day so highly The rather alarming exhibition of a young girl danhonoured by your acceptance of the entertainment pre-cing on the sharp edges of swords, which formed the pared for you, are proud to number you amongst the warmest of their European friends. It has devolved on me to express the feelings excited by the recollection of your kindness to them. I cannot attempt to say any thing more than simply to allude to the deep regret which pervades our minds at the prospect of being deprived of your presence at Madras, even for a season. We must not omit to notice, that throughout the evenIn the mean time, however, while we indulge the war-ing the European guests, and especially the ladies, exmest hopes of seeing you return to us, at no distant pe-perienced the most polite and unremitting attention riod, with increased honours, we beg you will carry with from the native gentlemen who gave the entertainyou this trifling memorial of our sincere regard and es-ment. A room was laid out with every luxury to grateem. We wish you a safe voyage to England, and all possible prosperity." (Loud cheering.)

The Cup presented to Mr. McDONELL by his native

tify the palates of our omniverous countrymen-wine cooled to a fault; and, indeed, nothing omitted which could render the entertainment worthy of the occasion.

STEAM COMMUNICATION.

To the Right Honorable LORD W.C. BENTINCK, G.C.|
B.,M.P. and the Home Committee of the Bengal
Steam Fund.

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.

The Calcutta committee having referred the selection of an agent entirely to your judgment, I feel that it would be improper that I should persevere in any measure that might embarrass your proceedings, or interfere, in the slightest degree, with the most perfect freedom of choice. I therefore beg leave most respectfully to tender my resignation of the office which I have now exercised under your control for nearly a year and a half, during the whole of which period, it is satisfactory to reflect, that I have had the good fortune to meet with your entire approbation and cordial support.

I take the liberty to enclose a copy of correspondence arising out of some libellous remarks in the Calcutta Courier on my conduct as agent.

I have the honor to be, my Lord,
Your most obedient servant,
(Signed) R. M. GRINDLAY.

16th Nov. 1837.

Dear Sir, We have to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 16th instant, in which you tender your resignation as agent to the subscribers to the New Bengal Steam Fund, in consequence of the letter lately addressed to us by the committee at Calcutta.

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 misapprehensiou, 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 a statement of your account with the New Bengal Steam Fund committee, that we may transmit forthwith for their inspection and approval.

We remain, dear Sir, your obedient servants,
Wm. Bentink.
Win. Crawford.
G.G. de H. Larpent.

Thomas M. Turton.
J. Mackillop.

London, 17th Nov. 1837.

[Englishman, Feb. 6.

Proceedings of the ninth half-yearly meeting of the Subscribers to the new Bengal Steam Fund, held at the Town Hall, on the 19th day of February, 1838.

WILLIAM SPIERS, Esq, in the Chair.

The Report of the Committee having been read by the Chairman,

It was proposed by Mr. Colvin and seconded by Mr. Smith, and carried unanimously:

That the Report including the accounts, be received, approved and published.

It was then proposed by Mr. Colvin and seconded by Capt. Vint, and carried unanimously:

That Mr. Edward Harding be appointed a member of the Committee in the room of Mr. Benjamin Harding, gone to England.

On the motion of Captain Forbes, seconded by Captain Birch.

man.

The thanks of the meeting were voted to the Chair-
WM. SPIERS, Chairman.
Town Hall, Calcutta, Feb. 19, 1838.

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 The petition was entrusted to the ComAuckland.

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 affixed to the petition, when it became necessary to secretary.

despatch it by dak banghy, so that it might be sure of reaching Bombay in time for the Atalanta.

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. For this latter a further sum of Rs 453,8 will be required.

The accounts are as usual laid on the table for the inspection of the subscribers. The only items on which The Hon'ble the Deputy Governor was requested to any remark seems necessary are those for printing and allow it to be despatched free of charge, with instruc-advertising, and especially the latter. tions 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, acThe advertising charges amount to Rs 1, 587-3-11, cording to the tenor of the second resolution of the meeting, of which copy has been forwarded to his Lord. and between three and four thousand rupees are still due. This heavy charge has been chiefly incurred in ship, have solicited his Lordship's continued exertions. The memorials were forwarded to the Hon'ble the well as in giving notice of the reprints of Dr. Lardner's advertising the conditional scheme throughout India; as President in Council by the Hon'ble Sir Edward Rya, pamphlet, and the evidence taken before the Select the chairman of the meeting, with the request of the meet-Committee of the House of Commons. Measures will ing, that they might receive such support as the impor- be taken hereafter to reduce this charge, should tant object might seem to merit. His Honor in Council extended advertisements be again required. The actual in reply, has given assurance that they will receive his balance amounts to Rs 49, 910-12 7, exclusive of In reply to the address of the £300 in the hands of the Home Committee. 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 communications to the three presidencies. The Committee congratulate the subscribers most sincerely on this powerful accession to the cause.

earnest recommendation.

They are happy also to be able to report the deep interest taken in their proceedings in another bigh and influential quarter. The agents of the Committee at Columbo, Messrs. Partlett and o., report as follows, under date 15th ultimo. "We have deferred addressing 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, Lis 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.

The

By order of the Committee,
C. B. GREENLAW, Secretary.
Town Hall, Calcutta, Feb. 16, 1831.

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Stationery purchased 12 12 6
parchment for the
petition and memorials
ditto 24 rs. at 2each.. 41 0 0
Hire of peons,
coolies, dingies and
palankeen...
Section

46 15 0

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 work................................. 112 8 0 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

writers

By Postage, amount paid on this account.

By Freight, amount
paid on a parcel to
Galle to the address
of T. Twynam, Esq..

By charges general,
paid for printing sun-
dry papers..........8,088 0 0
Paid for lithograph-
ing ditto ...

618 0 0

Paid for advertising

-52,183 11 4

396 8 0

330 8 6

400

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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.

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.

measure.

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 be 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.

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, and one of the busts taken after his death, should be forwarded to his brother at Halifax.

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.

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

to Mr. Hill, rather than put the Society to any unnecessary expense, although the Office of Treasurer was 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.

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 pub-| lic 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 the philosophical 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.

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 A sit-down supper is at best an intolerable nuisance, and we had hoped that the system quantity on the board. 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 ele vated 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 in conclusion proposed-"The ladies," 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 thought ought to be publicly stated. In the first Mahroom, an anecdote connected with that event, which he ratta 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 civi

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 sabib 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 immediately 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 alians to treat such matters lightly, as they had a precious 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

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 ser vice had produced, Mr. Elphinstone and Sir Charles

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