New-York daily tribune., 1854-03-14
BAYARD TAYEOR'S LETTERS.
s,ALCUTTA-THE BRITISH EMPIRE IN INDIA.
Editorial Corresp ondence Of The Y. Tribune.
CAICTrrTA India Feb 26 IR13

GALCUTTA-THE BRITISH EMPIRE IN INDIA
Editorial Conesp Ondence of The N Y. Tribune.
CALCUTTA India, Feb. 20, 1853.
Nv STAY in Calcutta is necessarily so short that |
shall not attempt more than general description Of
fAe city. and the impression which il has made upon
me After the glowing accounts had heard in the
Provinces of its opuent social life and architectural
naenhcence confess to feeling of disappointment
II is the London or rather the Paris Of India and the
country magistrate after years Of lonely life in the
jupgles, in remote ca0tonment looks forward
to taste of its unsccustomed gayeties one of the
bright spots of his life of exile. But it by
deserves to rrogste to itself the title of the City of
~Palaces," as long Venice aud Florence, or even
Cadz and La yalletta remain in existence 1t is not
acty ofpaaces but-the European portion at lesst-a
city of large houses and the view of the long line of
mansions on the ChOwringhee Road extending north
ward to the Government Palace and the City Hail. as
seen from the banks OF the Hoogy, is certainly ar
ehitecural dorama which would not disgrace any cap
tai in Europe. Beyond this view, which, as it is the
frst that strikes the eye of stranger arriving by sea-
explains the unbounded admiration of many travellers
there is little to satisfy ones expectations Ii is fair
outside, fronspece of wealth and parade conceal.
ING the nsgnifcance and poverty of the interior Pene
trate the thin crust which hints Of greater spendors
behind IL, and you lost in winding, dusty ave
nues, lined Wild the and narrow dwellings Of the
lower classes of the native population.
The houses of the European residents and of the
wealthy native BabOOs, all built the most spa
cous plan The chambers very large and lofty, for
the purpose coOness and the Open arched yerandas
Of the exterior throw little grace around the large
blank masses Of building The material employed is
brick aud mortar only which is plasered and painted
white or cream cOlOrd On account of the damp hot
atmosphere of Bengal the painting must be renewed
every year, otLerwisen becomes mildewed The upper
stones DISPLAY great quantity Of windows, with green
laousies before them These mansions mostly fur
nshed in rich and elegant style though straw mating
takes the place ofcarpets and broad pHasas or
ING an artificial current of Sir) hang from the ceiling
large retinue OF servants-varyng from ten 10 thirty
move about in their long white gargents and fat
turbSnS hearing your commands with folded hands aud
profound inclination of the head The st,le of living
rs sumptuous, but rather toe CLOSELY modelled after
London habits. Perhaps there is no Euronas, COM
munity in the world who live in a le OF equal luxury
this being the headquarters of the General Government
and the seat OF msny of the best Offices in its gift
Calcutta has little to show, In the way Of architec-
ture The Government Palaceis said to be very cool
aud comfortable residence, which ia this climate CON-
peDsates for many defects; but picture to Yourself
Eve immense cubes of masonry, touching each other
precisely like five black squares chess board with
low dome over the central one and You have cor
rect picture of L. The City Hall, semi Greek struc
ture is 20 my eve the finest building in the place II
y
columns The Metcalie Hall with COrinthsn Por-
tico, the new Hospital, Hares hndoO College, the
Medical College and other eddces, proud teStnO
mails of the public spirit and hbcrai1 of the citizens
of Calcutta and their architectural excellence is mat
ter Of secondary Importance The new Cathedral,
however, which has lately been erected at cost Of
$50 OOO reflects little credit on its projectors II is
Gothic of an impure and disproPortonGte character,
and being planted at one of the most prominent points
on the Chowrnghee Road must be perpetual eyesore
10 such of the residents as cherish taste for Art;
Several ourshng colleges have been established Of
late wears for the improvement Of the native popua
tion That which was founded by the ste David Hare
Esq, ranks among the first. received yesterday an
invitation to attend performance oi HsDe IN Eng-
lish by company of HndOo students, within It's walls
Another phlanthiopic citizen has just completed col
lege for females the success of which is doubted as
the Hndoo girls are betrothed very early, ana after
that ceremosy kept in strict seclusiOn There two
mission schools under the patronage Of the Church OF
Scotland in each of which there more than thou-
Iand pupils j believe. however, that they have not