The Express.
London, England, 1867-03-23 00:00:00

THE EXPRESS, SATURDAY EVENING, MARCH 23, 1867.

MISS CARPENTER AND THE EDUCATED

NATIVES OF BOMBA Y.

Miss Mary Carpenter, says the Times of Lidos,
has been addressing a number of the educated natives of
Bombay, at the residence of an enlightened Hindoo gen-
tleman, Dr. Atmarom Pandurang, G.G.M.C. She related
some of her experiences of Calcutta, chiefly connected
with Rajah Ham Muhunroy and Baboo Keshub Chunder
Sen. The former, at the early age of 15, held views very
far in advance of his time, that is, 40 years ago, and was
banished from home by his father in consequence ; but
his perseverance was great, and he continued publishing
one book after another. He had a honor of the idolatries
of his age, and published selections from the Vedas, in
order to show what the original religion of the Hindoos
had been. He was an ardent admirer of the Christian
scriptures ; and not satisfied with a perusal of them in
English, he actually went to Madras to learn Hebrew and
Creek ; and after three years study was able to read the
scriptures iu those languages. He then published his
" Precepts of Jesus," a guide to truth, and earnestly im-
plored his countrymen to make it the guide and instruc-
tor of their lives. He set up a place of worship
in Calcutta according to his views, winch was called
the limhmo-Romaj. When be died, the cont!ni
consisted of but few persons, and the system wee
until revived, in later years, by Baboo Keahub=r
Sen and others. It is now thriving and extending
it. influence in different parts of Bengal. Mies Carpenter
referred to portions of her book on Item Mohunroy,
to illustrate and exemplify various points in the
Rajah's life and character, and alluded to the cireum-
stances under which she obtained information regard-
! ing him from different quarters. It was mentioned
that there are twenty-two folios of his political
writings in the library of the House of Commons. These,
she thought, ought to be in possession of the young
men of India—at any rate, that copies should be pro-
cured. There were many of his writings to be found in
different quarters. Mille Carpenter bad, therefore, ob-
tained a power of attorney from the executors of the
Rajah, authorising her to take possession of any of his
manuscripts on literary and other subjects of
interest. Upon the whole, she thought that the ]rajah, ,
considering the difficulties he had to contend with, was
one of the moat extraordinary and admirable men she
had ever met with. Miss Carpenter also spoke in terms
of praise of Keshub Chunder Sen. The chief principle of
the Brabmo Soniaj is to stand still ; that of Keshub is
always to go onward. He is a man entirely devoted to
the work which he thinks to be right, one who has a
deep spirit of religion in his heart, and is 'axiom; to
communicate it to others. He is • man of independent
means, and has devoted his life to the investigation of
truth. He is not, however, universally liked among his
countrymen; and there were some who did not approve
of his views on certain points. Alluding to the state of
matters in Calcutta, Miss Carpenter said, that there is •
steady movement going on towards the attainment of re-
ligious truth on the part of educated men who have given
up all connection with idolatry ; but abs was afraid it was
one of the worst features of the movement, that many
who eschewed their own religion, did not take another in
its place. It must be admitted that many of them were,
in certain respects hypocrites, for they professed in public
what they did not practise in their private lives. There
were many who treated their wives more as equals ; and
at a tea-party at the house of Dr. Chnekerbetty, where
Miss Carpenter was staying, fifteen native gentlemen
were present with their wives, who conducted themselves
with decorum and were becomingly dressed. Upwards of
an hour was agreeably spent in listening to the interesting
discourse of Miss Carpenter, who, in oonclusion,e=
those of her bearers who had convictions of their own, to
form themselves into an emaciation in order to carry those
convictions into effect.

The annual performance of The Messiah, for the
benefit of the Royal Society of Musicians, at the St.
James's Hall, conducted, as usual, by Professor Bennett,
is fixed for May 3. Mr. Beresford Hope will t►ke the chair
at the anniversary dinner.

Schumann's Paradise and the Peri is to be given
at the Crystal Palace to-day.

Mr. Ella announces his intention of introducing
some new Continental artists at the ooming concerts of
his Musical Union.

Mr. Hunry Leslie's Holyrood is in preparation at
Gb.ssow.

Much excitement was occasioned at Cork yes-
terday, in consequence of the prisoners in the city gaol
charged with high tresses' being brought up at the police-
office for examination. The proceedings were conducted
in private, but all were committed for trial at the special
corunuission. Returning to prison they were vehemently
cheered by Fenian sympathisers.

It is estimated that upwards of 10,000,000 tons
of anthracite coal will be mined in Pennsylvania. Last
year the quantity was under 7,000,000 tons.
The State of Maine, in the United States, builds
more than one-ball the ships in the country. The annual
revenue tax paid by the shipbuilders is from li million to
li million dollars.
Up to the close of last year there had been no
frost in San Francisco. In December the mercury stood
at 60 degrees.