The New York herald., 1869-06-14


sent an embassy to Rome. The island was favorite
| resort of the gods of the Hindoo mythology. The
cultivation of coffee plantations occupies the princ
pal attention of the planters In CeyOn. The num-
Der Of acres in cultivation Is reported at 1900
which, at valuation of .4o per acre, makes an in
vestment of 95,2oO, 900 in coffee plantations
The European population of Ceylon Is very small,
and Is classified as follows:-
Military 1314
Planters. .......................... $50
merchants, bankers, &C.. c..................... 400
Other Europeans. $50
Total. al................. 3114
The export OF cinnamon for 1868 was 1900, 900
pounds and the estimate for the present year pro-
misses to be not far short Of ZOO, 900 pounds.
The gathering Of pearl oysters was formerly an
important occupation Of the Singaese, but for some
unaccOuntable reason the pearl oysters have dsap-
peared and cannot be found any more III these
waters.
We had tickets from China home with the privi-
lege Of going via Bombay. For very small con-
sideratien the agent at Gale allowed to change
our destination TO Calcutta, and resume voyage
at Bombay by a subsequent steamer. This would
afford an opportunity Of passing through British
India-the gorgeous India, rich with the accumu-
lated wealth Of ages and interesting the history Of
our own times.
We accordingly transferred ourselves and small
portion Of our baggage to the steamer for Calcutta
and bade our homeward bound friends goodby.
The only stopping place between Gale and Calcutta
is Notwithstanding or harbor 1t cannot be called.
when we came to anchor in an open roadstead,
and were told that the roaring surf breaking on the
shore before US was the landing Of the great Rast
Indian city OF Madras IL did not ardor TO
visit that part OF India. The native boats soon came
OF to the ship for the purpose Of transporting pas
fA thn ShnrA TlA tAat1
strong very high at the PROV and stern each manned
by dozen or more black fellows, all calling at the
top OF their voices for passengers.
The boats have neither nail nor peg, as nothing
could be driven strong enough to Withstand the buff
fets they are subjected to In landing but the planks
are tied together with strings. We finally embarked
under the guidance OF one Sam or Sambo, who
spoke tolerabe English and promised 10 be our
guide and patron In Madras.
As we approached the shore the oarsmen leaped
overheard and the surf In carrying the boat as high
upon the beach as possible and then took the pas.
sengers on their shoulders and carried them to dry
rather, we could not ind the city at all, 1t was SO
scattered After visiting three hotels we managed
afterwards visited the markets, the geological gar.
dens, and then drove around the desolate looking
on board We @ did not Ike tie landing IN The tD snr
and concluded to try the peE The pier, built Of
stand the terrible surf At MADRAS sna MeA the md
die part had been carried away In q late storm.
This was remedied however. by suspendng wire
ropes the gap, upon which passenger car was
pulled to and fro by wndiasses and ropes. It was
the least OF the two evils and We rode safely
the chasm ~ the pier, and descending steps on the
end got into boat without being carried on the
shoulders OF the natives aud rowed OIL to the Ship
II there be any landing place than Madras Il
has not yet been my misfortune to be landed there
We saw very little OF the natives and that little was
nps sam oar guide proved faithful as an Asa
that is cheated as whenever he had q chance. In
little marketing one Of the party watcned the pay
ment OF the money, and, true TO custom, Sam re-
ceved his commission. An Asiatc servant would
consider himself cheated II any money were TO leave
into his own. We asked sam how he would ike to
accompany US 70 the land Of the free," &c. but
replied thai he was man OF gentle blood, aud tnat
were TO go abroad and mix with Deefeaters and
wine-biDbers.
the months OF the Ganges. The low dat country
along the banks was dotted with mud villages and
OF The sacred river. We Could not reach III the c,tS
before dark, and as the steamer could not safely
navigate IN The night we had to anchor In the cheer
less sluggish stream, amid the fog and malaria
which has sent SO many generations TO sleep in the
waters OF the Ganges. Early IN the morning we
brick Nlns on the banks on the eastern BANK we
suddenly came upon an oriental palace with doines
and minarets shining brightly in the morning sun.
This was she palace and the prison Of the ex. King Of
Dude, His deposed Majesty Is permitted TO reside
on the bank OF the sacred river and to keep up
miniature court upon q pension OF f13Oooo. fne
taste OF his architecture Is rather Raudy red,
yellow and blue predominate in the color OF his
palaces. IL IL said that his Majesty's dependents,
male and female, exhaust his income and keep him
continually In debt. His principal occupation Is
said TO be nyine Kites and rearing pigeons. on the
opposite side pile OF buildings In the English Uni
yersly STYLE known % a, as Bishop Hebers College.
On one side " the rtvef q deposed despot, sur
rounded by thousand idle dependents engaged In
nylng Kites and rearing pigeons; on the other seat
life among the racbs Of British India, After pass
lug some handsome vilas built In European style
and surrounded by gardens, In which she stately
Of the Peninsula and Oriental Company, at the
lower end OF the Garden reach. II about three
miles to the hotel that s-the principal hoIel In Cal
cu,.a-the Great Eastern As travellers sometimes
should not DO neglected IL Is kept, rather not
kept, by a company limited, and mo responsible
head could at any time be found. The
was called the steward, and this intividua
informed us that II we expected any attention
we must bring our own servants, the
hotel!company employed only dozen servants, and
guests of the hotel. hotel kept by q company IA
not the thing. visible, living, responsible landlord
Is necessary TO the health andcomfort Of the guests,
wards found u did not entirely mi our idea OF East
India epicureanism to have some tough beef, poor
mutton and greasy rice, seasoned with curry, and
modified with sauce which, thanks 70 the ameni-
-"H Fn months experience of East Indian cook.
cry IN various parts solved the mystery OF English
mortality IN Indi9 The climate may be very un.
the RAINY season fatal All these could be endured
upon good wholesome fare, but East Indian COOKERY
would break the constitution Of a Brahman bull.
We found the sun very oppressive IN Calcutta even
winter here, never any frost skating, and
hut for the ice that comes rom Berton, life would
be inoerspe. Az every step In india our admiration