The Sun.
London, England, 1824-05-01 00:00:00

INDIA.

( Extracts from the Calcutta Monthly Journal, Sept. 8.)
CALCUTTA INSURANCE OFFICES.
It gives us great pleasure to record an insurance of liberality
highly creditable to the Insurance Offices of this'cliy. They
have, we understand, subscribed as a present to Captain Hard-
ing, the Officers, and some of the men of the Argyle; as well
as the Pilot (Mr. Warden) who was.on, board when she was
,found to be on tire, one per cent. upon the sum insured in each
Office, plaiting an aggregate of above twelve thousand Rupees,
as a mark of their approbation for the exertions made by the
parties referred to, in putting out the tire. Such a praise.
worthy -donation, so judiciously bestowed, will serve, we trust,
as a stimulating example to others in any similar case.

CALCUTTA MEDICAL AND PHYSICAL SOCIETY.
At the Meeting of the Medical and Physical Society, held
on Saturday evening last, there was a very numerous attend,
&nee of members and visitors interested in the prosperity
of the institution. Two distinguished individuals, Major-
General Hardwicke and the Hon. Sir C. Grey, of Madras,
were elected Honorary Members of the Society, and several new
names were added to the list of Non-residents. We are happy
to learn that this is daily increasing, and alieady comprises a
very large proportion of the Medical Gentlemen pf both ser-
vices on this establishment, besides some belonging to the
sister Presidencies. Of the advantages to be derived from such
an association properly conducted, there can eatist but one opi-
nion, Societies of this description at home have 'conferred-la-st-
ing benefits upon science, and we confidently entertain the
hope that an equal degree of usefulness will ultimately be
found to result from this one now established among oarselves.
Among many instructive communications read at the Meet-
ing on Saturday, there was one of more particular interest from
its detailing the effects of the new remedy lodine in Goitre
(Giaga of the natives.) This disease, we understand, is extreme-
ly common in some districts of India, and the acquisition of
so powerful an agent in its removal becomes therefore an
object of the first importance. Though known for several
years to the scientific world as a distinct chemical principle
similar to Oxygen, Ciorine, &c., lodine has but very recently
been applied to the practice of medicine, and it is on that ac-
count the more essential that every fact connected-with its ad-
ministration in Goitre or other diseases should be carefully
noted and recorded. We should be glad to know whether, as
it is a mere production, some plants or fuci may not be found
on the shores of India, to yield lodine in greater abundance
than those from which it has hitherto been obtained at home.
This would seem highly probable from •the water of the ocean,
containing a larger proportion of saline ingredients in hot than
in temperate climates; and thereby it may be presumed, im-
parting a character of greater intensity to the vegetable elements,
in whose formation it is accessary. Another subject of great
interest to all classes of the community, was brought before the
Meeting; namely, the destruction occasioned to timber by
various kinds of insects. Specimens of the Paroges were ex-
hibited, of the Temas Fatalis, or white Ant, and the Teredo
Nayalis; and the Members were solicited to direct their re-
searches with a view to discovering the best mode of preventing
these destructive effects.

FESTIVITIES AT NUSSERABAD.
Ille potens sui
Laetusque deget, cui licet in diem
Dixisse, viii.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE JOURNAL.
Sln—Our Assembly Rooms are at last finished, and the
whole station met in them last evening 4t a Masquerade and
Ball, by the invitation of Sir D. Ochterloney, and I have sel-
dom
witnessed a scene of more joy and hilarity : • 11
" I can't describe it, though so much it strike ;
" Nor liken it—l never saw the like."
I will however do my best to give you some idea of the dif-
ferent characters. •
Our excellent host was drest in the full costume of a high-
land chieftain, as was also another son of Caledonia. Moll
Flannagan was supported with great tact, and Old Sally
inimitable : her soldier's jacket and coloured handkerchief,
her ready repartee, in fact, her tout ensemble excited the
admiration of all. His sable Majesty was there—" seek-
ing whom he might devour ;" his character was well
sustained. Two sailors were admirable: a Dandyzett, a danc-
ing bear and leader, a Jew, a Clown, and Harlequin,—a Lady
of five and twenty stone, a Magician, several old Ladies, a
Hussar Officer, two or three Moguls. Tom, Jerry, and Logic,
were all supported with more or less vivacity, and went off with
eclat. Dr. Spurzheim's dress and manner were excellent, and
excited universal admiration.
At about 10 o'clock his Majesty's Court of King's Bench
was opened by Lord Chief Justice Prosem, who delivered an
admirable address. The cause tried was Lady Bridget Fe-Fa-
Fum v. Miss Pcdly Whispermuch, for defamation. The plead-
ings were opened by Mr. Serjeant Split Case, and carried on by
Serjeant Bothertun, for the plaintiff; and Serjeants Wrangleand
Spin-Case, for the defendant. The witnesses were Dr. Spurs-
heim, Tim O'Liffy, • and Mr. O'Brien, O'Phelim; ONeal
D'Courcy, O'llalloran.—Dr. Spurzhehn dilated with a great
deal of gesture and spirit on the amiable " boomps of the ade,"
conspicuous in Lady Bridget, and those of a contrary nature
on the cranium of Miss Whispermuch ; the Irish evidence ex-
cited applause ; and that of Mr. O'Halloran was given with
such knowingness, in such a brogue, in fact with such Irish-
ness, (if we may so express it), that the whole room was in a
roar—as the card of invitation imposed no necessity of coming
in character, many appeared in propria persona.
None of the Ladies were in mask, and only five in fancy
dresses ; one appeared in the becoming and handsome dress of
Mary Queen of Seots; made of white satin, with black trim-
mings, and I could almost fancy myself in company with that
beautiful and once happy woman; a second Lady was dressed
in the Swiss costume, and looked well ; two others in the habits
of country girls, with cottage bonnets. The exquisite simpli-
city of this dress, (which, I think, the prettiest I ever saw),
the ease and grace of the wearers, arrested the attention and
drew forth the applause of all; a fifth Lady appeared in some-
what of the Grecian costume, her hair being dressed in the true
lonian style, which is particularly becoming. All the other 1:a-
-dies were in ordinary ball dresses.
At about twelve, most of the maskers unrobed and re-
appeared in their usual dress; the dancing then commented,
and was continued with great spirit until two, when supper
was announced, and the company adj," " the King," " tohuernDedukteo teonfts,
yworhke;
they
theL sat downa die e repast. After supper, and
and " sir E. Paget," had been drank, the dancing was
carried ort with great vivacity until four o'clock, and the Ladies
departed Just before " old Titan's daughter tinged the eastern
sky"--mod the gentlemen returned to the supper table, there
they quaffed
" The claret smooth, red as the lip we preps
In sparkling fancy, while we drain the bowl ;
The mellow tasted burgundy ; and quick,
As is the wit it gives, the gay champaign ;"
• and it was not until Phoebus had " driven far his fiery steeds"
that all the guests retired.
On the whole, nothing could have gone off better than this
entertainment. I cannot describe to you the pleasure and satis-
faction which illumined every countenance : all appeared de-
termined to please and be pleased. Our worthy and respected
host was in the highest spirits : all was joy and delight ; there
the brow of the misanthrope (if any suck were present) soften-
ed down from, its usual asperity, and showed that he could sym-
pathise and participate in the joy of his brother men. There,
he whose temper had been soured and heart corroded by the
frequent " stings and arrows of outrageous fortune," forgot,
for the evening at least, the-cares which were wont to preyupon
his mind and lost himself in the general happiness which stir.:
rounded him. There it was that he found
" the heart must
Leap kindly back to kindness, though disgust
Hath wean 'd it back from waldings ;”
'But enough, I am at my old tricks again,—prosing.
Your's, &c. NEreo.
Nusserabad, Aug. 13, 1823.

THE KIDDERPORE ORPHAN INSTITUTION.
While allusion is occasionally made to the, more brilliant
movements of British power in the East, institutions whose obi
jects are unostentatious usefulness and plain benevolence are!
apt to be overlooked by the superficial observer. One of these!
" The Seminary at Kidderpore, for the orphan daughters.
" of British Officers." Understanding that the young people:
were to haie a dance last evening, we accompanied a party O[
friends to the scene of juvenile festivity. It -LS unnecessary toi
enter into. any particular details—suffice it, that To sego
the *cogs graol
calculated to afford satisfaction for various reasons.
many orphans happy was in itself a sufficient,tecorpince for

• • .
the trip. The Appearance of the rimy; /adieli and dip wanner
in Which they -conducted iesn the-t—reak•Ui -.6141it tv
the •Institution. and, to those who innnediatetyssiperintend and
controulit. We were-glad to. finage*e ralla4lo and gentle-
at
men present at speCtators,.besides the party whom we accona.-
partied: The presence-of 'reit ectable'vistmis must print berie,
ficial, as it evincetran interest taken in she Institution, and ope.+
rules also as an incentive to exertiqn.on the part of the pupils,
and a source of encourageinent to their preeep.tors. No person
is ddmitted•without a:card. 'Phis precaution is extremely:pro,
per, and we cannot also -ho consider-the rule of not admitting
gentlemen in white jackets in the same light, since the slightest
departure from what' is etitabli.shed etiquette on public tiCcst7
sions detracts from respeetabiliti. • • • •

' VESTAI46..
'An.aPplication was made' by the 'riierehants (Eurotlean and
.Native} of Penang, praying 'Government to establish 'Penang
a•free port like Singapor.e. This request, has .been deemed
inadmissible by the authorities of Penang ; but Some modifica
dons hirne been adopted in the mode of collecting the dinieS;
according to the•document that, . •-• • • •r
Noprlc.s..riox.—Notice is hereby given, that the Eon.
the Governor in Council lies been pleased to direct that all
dutiei-nowiel led on the' exportation of goods, the.produce or
manufacture of Great Britain •and Ireland, Foreign ,Europe,
America, China, and' British India, and on the exportation of
oil, ghee, hogs-lard, salt and tobacco, pursuant' to the fir/Mina
second efauseti: of the export, regulations of, 'Government;`aa
well as the duty to which. umber and planks imported from the
dominions of the King of Ava ate now liable, according to the
thirteenth' clause of the import regulations, shill be atisperirda
utitil•further orders from 'the Ist proi imo. '
• • • • • A.D. 111aixo Y, Acting Collector.
Custom-house, Prince of Wales' Island, July 22, 1823.