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the earth at the period of my birth, nor recount my early sayings and school adventures, much more wonderful than those of my companionsbut plunge at once in medias res, starting forth to the light a full-blown cadet, fitted out in Leadenhall Street with five times more traps than ever I found use for-and, "all the perils of the ocean past," arriving at the Sandheads, the entrance to the river Hooghly.

Never, perhaps, did a more perfect specimen of a griffin or freshman enter India. Fortunately, however, I had occasionally, during the voyage, deigned to lend an ear to friendly advice from an old campaigner, who, compassionating my extreme youth and simplicity, interested himself on my account, and this I afterwards found to stand me in good stead.

At the Sandheads we received on board the pilot, who was to conduct us thenceforward to our destination. We entered the Hooghly with a fair wind. It was the beginning of August, and the rainy season. The low island of Saugor

loomed dimly on the starboard bow. We ran along merrily with wind and tide till our arrival at Kedgeree, off which place we anchored.

The shore here would be remarkably uninteresting under any other circumstances than its forming the advanced post of the land of promise after a long voyage. As it was, we hailed it with delight. The lighthouse might have been an edifice raised by some good genius, (no doubt it was,) and the little fruit-boat that came alongside, with its black and almost naked steersman and paddler, his ministering messenger.

Fruit, eggs, and milk, we bought, and O! the luxury after so long confinement to ship-fare! This was one of the few golden hours of existence. The fruit was exquisite-the milk unfortunately was much smoked-and as to the eggs, they were mostly rotten. One of my fellowcadets, who had been an extensive purchaser, remonstrated with the salesman, and well he might, for he had paid a Spanish dollar for two cocoa-nuts, and two bunches of plantain,

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together, with his eggs, worth collectively about sixpence; but the sole satisfaction he obtained was, I believe, a not unusual answer to new-comers. Very good egg, master, no get -rainy season, hen no lay good egg-same as get in Calcutta, master-dry weather come, hen lay good egg-then master get.”

I shall not detain my readers long on this portion of the river; but I cannot wholly pass unnoticed the striking effect produced on a young mind by the beautiful scenery, especially after having had nothing but the ocean, in its various moods, to gaze upon for months. The rich and deep hues of the foliage on the banks of the river, during the rainy season, transcend the powers of my pen to describe. The shores are too thickly wooded in many places to admit of human habitations, yet the river teems with life. Ships of all sizes and nations are here to be seen, and innumerable small boats belonging to the country fly about like swarms of insects. As you advance higher, however, there are

sufficient signs of propinquity to a large city, in the form of European dwelling-houses, and native villages; and as each successive reach of the river gradually develops itself, these symbols increase in number and closeness, till Fort William appears in that attitude of tranquil majesty which displays, in a form not to be misunderstood, the power terribly to destroy, if aroused to wrath.

On the third evening, after receiving the pilot, we came to anchor off Chandpaul Ghaut, our vessel being an extra Indiaman of only five hundred tons burden, and consequently able to make its way in safety up to Calcutta.

Early the following morning we prepared to go ashore, i. e. the passengers who still remained on board; for some had previously quitted in native boats, such as boliahs, dingies, or whatever species of craft presented itself.

Great was the clamour and verbal warfare that arose amongst the various candidates for our patronage; to wit, the native boatmen, who

jostled each other out of the way in the most unceremonious manner. At last, as good luck and patience would have it, Milden (a brother cadet) and myself succeeded in effecting a footing on board a dingy, or small boat, and made way for the shore. But here another occurrence, the very counterpart of the last, impeded our progress. Numerous palkees for hire are constantly stationed at the ghaut, or landing-place; and the bearers of many of these ran so deeply into the water, as absolutely to dip the lower part of their conveyances into the stream.

therefore

The competition was great, and

"Their van the fleeter rushed"

to anticipate the fare. In this strife for victory I was almost, by force of arms, deposited in the 'tween-decks of a palkee two or three yards from the shore, whither I was speedily conveyed, and where my friend also arrived, after passing through the same ordeal.

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