The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1853-1911, 1853-07-14

It is about mile in length, extending a.
long the shore of the bay. Out side of
the moat is broad esplanade, beyond
has grown up. The Notifications are use
! less as a means of defence, the water of
the moat breeds musketes and fevers,
and | do not understand why the walls,
+ should not have been leyeled long since.
;. The city within the fort is crowded to ex-
cess. Many Of the streets narrow, dark
and dirty, and as the houses are all of
wood, it is exposed to much danger from
{ fire. The population and trade of Bonn
bay have increased so much within the
last few years, that this keeping up of old
defences is great inconvenience. So far
are the old practices preserved, that at
one particular gate, where there was a
powder magazine twenty years ago, no
person is permitted to smoke. South
ward of the Fort is tongue of land,
formerly the island of Colaba, but now
connected by cause way-on which
stands the lighthouse. To the north west
beyond the city, rises Malabar Hill, a
long, low hight, looking upon the open
ocean, and completely covered with the
gardens and country houses Of the native
and European merchants.
The mainland is distant from Bombay
about fifteen miles, across the bay
Steamers run daily to Panwell, whence
there is mail-coach to Poonah, the old
Mahratta capital, about 20 miles distant.
Northward of the Island of Bombay, how
ever, lies the large Island Of Salsette,
which is connected with it by two cause
ways, and Salsette has lately been united
to the mainland by bridge, the strait,
at the northern point of the island, being
less than half mile wide. This bridge
was built by the East India Railroad
Company, who have already finished
thirty-fye miles of the great road which
is to connect Bombay and Calcutta. The
rails are laid as far as Tanna, and the
trains will commence running in a month
or two. The Engineers are now busy in
laying out that part of the line which
crosses the Ghauts, after which the con-
struction Of the road will be attended
with comparatively little difficulty. The
East India Company guarantees 5 per
cent. annually on the stock, for the per-
Iiods of twenty years, owing to which en-
couragement, without which, indeed, the
Undertaking were impossible shares are
now at premium.
During the few days | have been here,
| have made one acquaintance among the
English residents, to whom [ am indebt-
ed for much cordial hospitality. The
English in India are said to be the most
hospitable people in the world, even to
those who bring no letters of introduction.
The kindness of my friend, and especial
ly of Captain R. Baird Smith, Of the
Bengal Engineers, has supplied me with
letters for all the principal towns in the
interior, so that [ have double assurance
of friendly reception, L believe there
are no American merchants in Bombay,
nor even a Consul. Appointments have
been made, and Consuls have come out
here, but none of them seem to make any
stay. The last one appointed Mr.. Dos
sabhoy Merwanjee, one of the principal
Parsee merchants, his agent, but he has
no authority to act in Consular capacity.
The house of Dossabhoy Merwanjee &
Co., however, have been actively engaged
in American trade, most of the vessels
which come out from our ports being con-
signed to them [ am indebted to the
members of the firm for kindness and hos
pitality which I shall not soon forget
The only American residents at present,
are Rev. Mr.. Allen and other Missiona-
ries, who have established school and
church, and Mr., Moore, the agent of the
Boston ice merchant, and therefore a
man of some importancein this hot climate.
The ice is preserved in large stone ro-
tunda, and sold at the rate of four amas
(l2 cents) the pound. The consumption
is increasing, much use of it being now
made by the physicians, and with the best
effect.
My good fortune in making the ac-
quantance of Dossabhoy Merwanjee, and
other members of the celebrated Lowjee
Family, to which he belongs, has given
me some insight into native society here
an imperfect experience, 1T Is true, but
enough to satisfy me that in none Of the
English works on India which | have
read, has justice been done to the native
population. The Parsees especially, form
a community distinguished for its intelli-
gence, enterprise and public spirit. 1t
would be no exaggeration to say that
more than half the wealth of Bombay is
in the hands of this class, which coppri-
ses less than 10000 souls, out of a popu-
lation of 4OO,0O Sir Jamsetjee Jeejeeb-
hoy, the Parsee baronet, presents one Of
the most striking examples of CONNER
cial success to bo found in the history of
any country. This gentleman, whose
splendid beneyolence has imperishably
connected his name with his native city,
was the son of "a poor man, and common
ced his career in life as a buyer and sell
ler of empty bottles. BY prudence, econ
omy and intelligence, he rose from one
success to another, till at present his for
tune is estimated at three crores of ru-