Glorious indeed is the prospect which faith unfolds of the Spiritland of the redeemed. "Wherefore," writes the Apostle in contemplation of its inexpressible glories, "Wherefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, immoveable; always abounding in the work of the Lord." THE ORPHAN CHILD. DARK spreads the night o'er the mountain tops dreary, Hoarse thunders mutter, the tempest is darkening, No mother's bosom those soft limbs are pressing, He through life's wilderness safe will direct thee, Thus the meek daisy the greensward adorning, And God's rich mercy unfathom'd, extending E. BOMBA Y. Ta juncture, when the attention of England is fixed with peculiar interest upon the affairs of her Eastern empire, a brief notice of one of the most important cities of that empire, and of the manners and customs of its inhabitants, may not be unwelcome to the general reader. By an authority, the weight of which, in matters relating to foreign travel, will be generally recognized, Bombay has been represented as presenting to the notice of the intelligent observer, an epitome of whatever is best deserving of attention in the Eastern world. In one of the attractive volumes of the late Captain Basil Hall, there is the following passage: "Of all places in the noble range of countries so happily called the Eastern world, from the pitch of the Cape to the Islands of Japan, from Bengal to Batavia, nearly every hole and corner of which I have visited in the course of my peregrinations, there are few which can compare with Bombay. If, indeed, I were consulted by one who wished, as expeditiously and economically as possible, to see all that was essentially characteristic of the oriental world, I would say, without hesitation, take a run to Bombay, and remain there a week or two; and having visited also the scenes in the neighbourhood, Elephanta, Carli, and Poonah, you will have examined good specimens of most things that are curious or interesting in the East." The Island of Bombay is situated on the western coast of Hindostan. North Latitude, 18° 56'; East Longitude, 72° 57'. It is in the province of Bejapore, and lies off the shore of Concan. It is now joined to the beautiful island of Salsette; a broad uniting causeway having been constructed in the year 1805, by the then existing governor. The fort and city of Bombay stand principally on a narrow neck of land at the south-eastern extremity of the island. The houses within the fort were originally built of wood, with verandahs after the oriental fashion; but many of them being destroyed by fire in 1803, new dwelling-houses, constructed of less combustible materials, were erected on a piece of land reclaimed from the sea; and the place has since become a populous and busy town. The principal buildings of the city, as the Cathedral, the Presbyterian Church, the Custom-House, the Mint, and the Town Hall, are European in their style of architecture, and by consequence, give to the place, 1855.] BOMBAY. on a first glance, a more familiar aspect than English strangers are prepared to expect. It presents, however, on a nearer view, features which sufficiently stamp it with an Eastern character. To say nothing of the strange costumes to be met with in the streets of Fort George, thronged as it is with foreigners from all quarters of the globe, the style of building in the older portions of the place has no parallel in the cities of Christian Europe. The houses are lofty, and the narrow streets are consequently gloomy, but the shade which rests upon them is felt in that "clime of the sun" to be agreeable. Some of these dwellings have an appearance of great antiquity, and are very singular in their architecture. Their projecting balconies, roofed over as a protection from the sun, are, in many instances, supported on pillars of wood, elaborately carved, and exhibiting, on shaft and capital, grotesque figures or other uncouth devices, bearing obvious reference to the Hindoo mythology. "Some houses," writes the author of "An Englishman's Life in India,” “have a winding staircase outside, so as to enable you to reach the flat roof without going through the building; or to ascend to an upper story, which, perhaps, may be occupied by another branch of the family. The rooms are generally large; but Some of the roofs are only tiled in part; very low, and badly ventilated. and the flat portion is covered with a fine cement, called chunam, which, when thoroughly dry, becomes very white, and polished. Here may be seen China vases, with flowers planted in them; stone seats in great variety; chairs and couches for the idler or sleeper." In conformity with a practice which is general throughout the whole region of the East, and of which the Scriptures give frequent intimation, these flat roofs are sometimes used in Bombay, as in other parts of India, as places of religious retirement. "These roofs," cbserves the author above quoted, "are much resorted to by Hindoo and Parsee ladies, who go up to pray, unseen by the busy world below; for they are supposed to lose caste if they appear in public; and are quite shut out from holding any intercourse with strangers; consequently their lives are passed in great seclusion from the world, and this is the only opportunity which they enjoy of looking occasionally upon the surrounding beauties of their fair country, and of contemplating the wonders of the starry firmament." These level roofs are also, like the lofty balconies which abound in the East, convenient places of morning and evening rendezvous for the enjoyment of the refreshing breeze from the sea. The numerous bazaars of Bombay are thoroughly oriental in their character. They present but little of outward show; and their *Vide Acts x. 9. |