CHAPTER XXXV.

TRANSACTIONS AT SURAT AND BOMBAY, AFTER THE EVACUATION OF BAROCHE, AND THE CESSION OF

THE ENGLISH DISTRICTS IN GUZERAT

TO THE MAHRATTAS.

1784.

"MAY not the pleasure of OMNIPOTENCE
To every clime some secret good dispense ?
Those who amidst the torrid regions live,
May they not gales unknown to us receive;
See daily showers rejoice the thirsty earth,
And bless the flowery bud's succeeding birth,
The various heaven of an obliquer sphere;
While by fix'd laws, and with a just return,

They feel twelve hours that shade for twelve that burn?
And may not those, whose distant lot is cast

North beyond Tartary's extended waste,

Where through the plains of one continual day,

Six shining months pursue their even way;

And six succeeding urge their dusky flight,
Obscur'd with vapours and o'erwhelm'd in night,-
May they not scorn our sun's repeated race,
To narrow bounds confin'd, and little space?"

PRIOR.

CONTENTS.

Striking the British colours, and final departure from Barochesituation of the civil and military servants on that establishment— arrival at Surat-double government of the English in that city— evils attending it—abolition of the nabob's authority and sole administration of the English-provision for the nabob-consequent happiness of Surat-gloomy aspect of the company's affairs in 1783 -hard situation of many exiled civilians from Baroche-resolution to return to Europe-late changes at Surat-decline of its magnificence and commerce-effects of a dreadful storm-devastations at Mahmud-a-Bhaug-pavilions in oriental gardens-oriental villas compared with Pliny's at Laurentinum-Elisha's chamber

summer parlour of Eglon-gardens at Zulam Bhaug-chief beauties in Indian gardens-amrah, the mango blossom-variety of custard apples-their sacred destination-oriental perfumes -Moguls and Persians at Surat-literary characters there— Gibbon's remark on eastern literature-character of Avyar, a celebrated female philosopher-morality and piety of her writingsher aphorisms and maxims-font at Belgram the Pierian spring of India-its reputed effects-general female portrait in Asiatic cities —oriental state insignia—necessity of preserving it—reflections in

consequence-revisit Pulparra-Hindoo superstitions there-immolation of Hindoo widows never practised at Bombay-infanticide prevented in Guzerat-introduction of vaccination in India-its blessed effects-encouraged by the brahmins-previously known in the districts of Benares; authenticity of that fact-general statement of medical practice in India—particular instances—liberal and scientific character of Serfojee, rajah of Tanjore—letter from that prince-cure of the opthalmia-practice of medicine among the Mahrattas-zodiac rupees, by whom coined and for what purpose-arrival at Bombay-great alteration in the style of life and manners at that presidency—final resolves of the emigrants from Baroche-increase of population at Bombay-increase of private expense and the public expenditure—increase of crimes and punishments among the natives in consequence—ungrateful and immoral traits in the Indian character-letter on the desertion of sepoyssummary of Indian depravity, by Sir James Mackintosh-excursion to the islands of Salsette and Elephanta-improvements at Tannah -further remarks and illustrations of the excavations in those sacred islands—atmosphere of Salsette-reflections on the summit of the

excavated mountains.

CHAPTER XXXV.

THE last chapter concluded with the evacuation of Baroche, Dhuboy, and all the valuable districts belonging to the East India Company in Guzerat. When the yacht on which the chief and council embarked from Baroche arrived on the southern banks of the Nerbudda, we had the mortification to behold the Mahratta flag waving over the ramparts. It was the first time the natives had witnessed that standard of oppression. Their tears and other expressions of sorrow on that sad occasion have been recorded; some of them accompanied us to Surat in hopes of procuring situations, under the English government, either there or at Bombay.

Thus were the civil and military servants on the Baroche establishment, obliged to leave that once happy settlement, in the midst of the rainy season, and to seek an asylum at Surat, until the navigation opened to Bombay at the breaking up of the south-west monsoon in October. The three months now spent there afforded but little novelty or interest to a former description in 1772, and several subsequent visits.

The double government which had then existed in Surat, from the conclusion of the treaty entered into by the East India Company with the nabob's father, Moyen Odeen, in the middle of the