The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1856-07-14

realize that the commerce Of Calcutta was 30 extern
sve that hundred pilots was not considered too
many to escort the worlds shipping up and down
the crooks and turns over the mud points and sand
shoals, and through the winding channels Of that
bugbear Of the foreign shipowner-the Eoogly.
Steamtug after steamtug-some with one some
with two or three deeply laden merchantmen-w
hourly passing out to sea; and London Indamen
and American clippers were continually heaving in
sight, mos. of them in ballast, bound in TO get
cargo and waiting for some steamer to come to
their assistance. counted no less than eleven
steamtug boats towing out during the morn
ing we passed up, and several ships were try
ing to get out without a steamer danger
GUS and doubtful economy, when they can
be obtained, for the time lost would fully
pay the tonnage. Almost all the way the leadsman
seemed busy wi ii the lead, and the"steady," "por
and starboard" OF the gold laced pilotall done by
hand motion from the paddlebridge- rs
continually Of the most difficult navigation Of the
river; but from the few ships that are lost here,
am led to suppose that either the pilots the best
in the world, that the navigation Is not so intr
cate is the general belief. The question Of open
ing another mouth Of the Ganges-the Motlah-has
lately been mooted, and nautical men, and the com
mercial community, are strong in recommending
it, while the pilots wage war of words in repeat
ing the dangers and difficulties Of the undertaking.
One side asserts that all that is required is the &C
ton Of the Honorable Company-only say the word,
say they and ships Of the largest tonnage, and
greatest depth Of water, can find their way along
the wide channel, even without pilot; and if the
monsoon is fair, without steamtug, 70 within
thirty miles Of Calcutta, where railway can be
constructed, or canal made, at trfing expense to
take the goods to and fro, thus doing away with the
never ending complication of the holy river, and
very much lessening the port charges on shipping,
which are now about i've dollars to the tom no matter
how large or how small the vessel The subject looks
60 well that the pilots begin to feel alarmed they have
held the monopoly 80 long, rs civil servants, that
they do not consider it necessary to be over civil to
those that employ them. For almost two centuries
they have ruled the channel, for think the estab
Of charges would seem to be dead letter, where
you have TO pay the pilot thai takes you
out bonus, or grataty, of from fifty to
one hundred sd,., and fifty dollars per ship
East India Company are accused by those who
do not understand the workings Of their system
Of chicanery, bribery and extortion. At the
moment you make the lighthouse, and get your
pilot you are painfully made aware that unless the
present or bond is given to the honorable pilot your
ship, when she is bound to sea, may be delayed o
week, and perhaps may touch the shore, simply to
remind the economical and administrative captain
how necessary it is to put his hand deep ia his
pockets, he wishes TO safely reach an anchorage
or TO get fairly out to sea. II the custom demands
It, and the rate Is too low to support nine briggs and
tarih, rather than have the addition come in the
| present humiating manner, both to the giver and
the receiver? Although only ITO miles from
day In steaming that distance saw little striking
| TO the fancy during the most Of the way. The
river narrows and widens every little while. and the
scenery on the banks Is low, fat and nninterest-
Inn nUI Inv
at their abufioos, or by the paddy fields few trees
now and thea shading quaint old Hindoo temple, a
village OF thetched uncomfortable looking native
huts, or the European bungalow Of the custom
nothing can be landed without the tax. Ships and
steamers in the river and ancient temples and Indian
reached the foliage covered banks Of the approaches
TO Calcutta Bungalows and beautiful trees Of great
size, reminded us OF our proximity to the city, and
when we passed the bend in the river, and garden
| by pensioned Rajahs and salaried officials, the
merchant and the professional agent, all Of which
buildings were almost hidden from sight by
trees and shiubbery; when we saw the castellated
| pile Of buildings, known as the Bishops College;
/ when we counted some six seven large steamer
laying alongside the p. and o. pier, aud coal sheds
quarter OF mile long; when the magnificent fleet
OF shipping, arranged In long lines by the Harbor
Master, reaching as far rs you can trace them the
masts towering high In air, as thick pines in the
Western forest and the city burst open t. view
| with its amalgamatcd mass OF European and native
dwellings. shops aud godowns, church stseples,
| monuments and public buildings, higher than the
rest or least conspicuous among the others when
| we began TO blow OF steam, and heard the words
"haf speed and stop her," given from the bridge,
We began to realize that our passage was drawing TO
close, and that the far famed City OF Palaces was at
last before u.s. and was anxious TO get ashore, for
| there seemed TO be some half thousand carriages
| driving up and down the banks Of the rver-a
perfect holiday Of gaiety.
| Boatmen are as importunate here as In China and
create the sare confusion each one clamors for a
fare; ard II you are no. careful, your luggage will
get into as many hands as IL would among the cab
| men ut Albsny. quarter Of a dollar l was told,
wa TOO much 10 pay he captain Of bis SIX cared
boat for taking three o. "a ashore; but res had
nor the cehscenee to give the poor naked devil less
Once DC sLJre se head, for Spence uo,el bu; had
TO Walk, az no carriages we're Ut hand After hot,
| dusty promcrate. escorted by ahoat twenty indl-
vGeels, who, as Esai ar could distinguish, wcre
perfectly willing 70 oatr is heir s.rvices for sn M
| Consideration We found spcnccs--an hotel OF Ina.
memo d.mcrsons and as little comfort IA could be
| expected.
diate departure and lord Cannlng's expected ar
rival had completely flled every private and public
house 10 the city and Obliged TO put up aith
coalhole Of room, la an ou'.ide wing on the
| ground ho0r, without window, OF even n SASH in
| the door vashbowl, chair or lurniturc, and
| musqrito cuItained b,d, that would have given
! well bred dog the hycrophobis, u was 80 upscan,
| lou may Imagine That my debgt ashore that night
some tAieIt FtxFpfe tbe tLFtEt1le f1pfts
sions Of the day; ard they did, FOR wiz slruady
| Disguised TIE next Gay however, | was better
natured, for after hal delivered M letters found
pleasant home, and n most comfortable suite Of
spartne cuts wee plaoeI ~ my disposal by one Of
Tie old merchants OF Calcutta Whose respected
firm has stood thc blasts "a Calcutta panic for a
quarter q century In few day. was slso made
al honorary member CT the celebrated Bengal Cib
which gives the eafrcs 70 the bvg. r,Uasis Of The
place; but the formally OF introducing. secondug
and voting consumed aim 1T all the time ! hal 20
spare lefore the -ailnr of tue fsteamer therefore
eorieesea yseH W.th lookNg ~ she turtles IN toe
tank, looking over the papers In the reading room
or CHANGING at the books and periodicals Epon the
table Even the usual Saturday evening dinne.-thc
grand affair Of tie week had n forego, for other
engagements chi,aca the promises which I had
mace.
The Nubia Is 10 leave on Sunday morning, the
9th, ead have paid soui hundred and City dollars
for my pessnge 20 Sucz and must, therefore, no.
lose moment OF my time in roaming through tn,
dill sn.inQ Alacca hu alc-,ta Erst 10 tn. Rnxai