"There was a sound of revelry by night" on Thurs, with the exceeding elegance and taste of the dresses of day last at the Town Hall, and fancy and fantastic Costumes were the order of the evening. At the commencement of the Ball the character dresses were very rare indeed, and the few who shone conspicuous in their spangled habiliments, were stared at like wild beasts by the surrounding crowd; but as the night advanced a sufficiently abundant variety of outre costumes made their appearance, and mimic specimens of every nation and country under the sun stalked to and fro, or treaded the mazes of the dance. We regret that it is not in our power to describe for the benefit of our Mofussil readers, each particular fancy dress whose rainbow colours dazzled our admiring gaze, and to explain with critical accuracy, the precise character which each was intended by its gratified wearer to represent. Unfortunately our knowledge of the science of costumology is somewhat limited, and we preferred | B— remaining unenlightened in our ignorance to incurring the risk of insulting our acquaintances by proposing the blunt and homely question-" Pray who are you?" We can conceive nothing more mortifying, more bar. rowing to the feeling,-nothing, indeed, more calculated to cloud the most beaming and radiant countenance, than the unfeeling announcement to the complacent wearer of some gorgeous and complicated garment, (the design and manufacture whereof hath cost him hours of anxious study), that the whole thing is, to every one except himself, an unintelligible mystery, which nothing but a label on his back could satisfactorily explain! Now it may be that our impressions are altogether erroneous, and that they result entirely from our deplorable ignorance of the whole subject;—but, Datheless, we honestly confess that some of the dresses on the evening in question did appear to us to fall within the category of the nondescript or miscellaneous class. One while might ye have seen a spruce cavalier, whose gay cloak of curtailed proportions, thrown ob liquely over his shoulder, plainly indicated the Spanish Don, but whose lower drapery corresponded but indifferently with his superior adornments, and cast some doubt upon the question of his nationality:-anon, your attention might have been attracted by a striking figure, with moustachios somewhat longer than the beard of a he goat, whose robe affected the simple elegance of the Grecian costume, but whose legs were encaused in something resembling Hessian boots, and whose head-piece might have done duty for a jockey's cap. But far be it from us to aver that there were not some dresses at once conspicuous for their elegance, and in admirable taste and keeping. The only Group which we observed was a Circassian Group, with costumes singularly handsome, if not perfectly appropriate and correct. This party consisted of Mesdames -p, H—————Ir -d D. d, and -y, and Messieurs B-n, H. Ir. d -d- -ne. We were so much struck

P

B

and

G

these Circassians and a Greek lady, that we were induced
to enquire what priestess of Fashion had presided over
their toilettes, and learnt that the Costumes were made
by Madame Frederick, at her emporium of fashion-The
Magazin de Modes. The only two whom we observed
attempting to act the character which they assumed,
were an itenerant pedlar, who looked and acted vul.
garity à merveil, and an Irish gipsy or crone, who made
a faint attempt to tell fortunes, but whose non national
modesty stood very much in the way. Mr. Wy
appeared in a very quaint dress as Gil Blas, and Mr.
B-f- -t, we believe, figured in a second edition of
the same, differently bound. The three Mesdemoiselles
S- he, attracted attention in very becoming
Albanian costumes, and the Misses D. -, appeared
in the simple but pretty dress of" Scottish lassies." Mr.
y looked majestically solemn in the
sombre but imposing habiliments of the" Master of
Ravenswood." Mr. and Mrs. H. M. P————————r wore
superb dresses of the French Count in Louis Quatorze's
day. There was a gentleman too (initials unknown)
very appropriately bedizened, with buckled shoes and
powdered wig, as an English gentlemen of the olden
time. Mrs. L- -P -t wore a very graceful
Greek dress; and Mr. G. -, we were fortunately
informed, was intended to represent a Java lady, though
our own private impression had previously been, that he
was a Chinese Mandarin. A Scotch reel was danced with
great spirit by the Misses D-
- in their costumes as
Highland lassies, and the Messieurs C-p-lls in
their braw tartan plaids. As soon as the sprightly reel
was commenced, a rush was made to the spot by the
whole population of the ample room, even like unto the
rush (often fatal in its consequences) which invariably
takes place whenever an unhappy skater is submerged
through an aperture of the treacherous ice whereon he
was previously displaying his graceful evolutions:-and
we felt by no means certified that similar disastrous
consequences might not ensue here when we beheld
half a thousand gaping folk wedged together in a space
about five yards square, when we called to mind too be
"rotten beam" of the Town Hall, and when our troubled
eye distinctly discerned the massy planks of the floor
undulating beneath the ponderous superincumbent
load! But no such mischance interrupted rudely the
harmony of the evening;-" all was merry as a marriage
ball." Perhaps the dresses were not quite so well" got
up" as the Victoria Fancy Ball last year; but every-
body and his wife seemed very well pleased with them-
selves and all the world, and the only troubled
countenances which we beheld, were those of the
fiddlers, whose wearied wrists had no cessation until
cockcrow. The music was good and the ices were good,
and the company separated not until the Cathedral
clock tolled the hour of four.

Dulce est desipere in loco,-Hurk, Jan. 12.

MR. LINTON'S CONCERT.

Indisposition, unfortunately, prevented us from hav-, as having been effective and powerful, beyond any thing ing the pleasure of attending the performance of the we have been used to in Calcutta. A new Amateur CREATION on Thursday night, at the Town Hall, for the Tenor of finest quality, is particularly spoken of, who, benefit of our worthy organist, Mr. Linton. But we with Madame Ventura and Mr. Linton, ably sustained learn with exceeding satisfaction, from others more the beautiful Solo parts of the Oratorio. In the miscel fortunate than ourselves, that it went off with the great-laneous (second) Act, the Ryckmans are said to have est spirit and effect; and what is of more solid impor. surpassed themselves, and Madame Ventura's Recitatance on such an occasion, that it was extremely well tive and air from Pacini, is described as the most finishattended, and, therefore, likely to prove of that class of ed morceau, in her Italian style, with which she has benefits which are called remunerative, in contradistinction to those usually designated IRISH benefits, after the way of a Belfast Actor, mentioned by the Historian Josephus Miller, who gained a loss on a like occasion.

yet regaled the ears of our pensive public. We sincerely rejoice in the brilliant success which seems to have attended Mr. Linton's labours. We hope Delmar the younger will be encouraged to "try his luck" in the same line, during the ensuing month.-Hurkaru,

Every body describes the Chorusses in the Creation 'January 31.

THE CALCUTTA MECHANIC'S INSTITUTION AND SCHOOL OF

ARTS.

An institution under the above designation, is about and circulation, a reading-room, a museum of models, to be established, and a provisional committee, consis. a school of design, and ultimately the establishment of ting of the undermentioned gentlemen, has already been an experimental work-shop and laboratory, provided formed to carry into effect the preliminary measures with instruments and apparatus. The terms of admistowards the formation of the Society, viz. the Rev. sion are to be at as low a standard as possible, to suit Mr. T. Boaz, the Rev. Mr. W. Morton, the Rev. Mr. all. The prospectus then enumerated the officers Thomson, and the Rev. Mr. Campbell, F. Corbyn, H. H. Spry, M. Crow, W. H. Perkins, W. Rushton, G. Grant, H. Woollaston, J. M. Vos, G. Grant, and J. Morris, Esquires. Wale Byrn, Esq., Secretary.

which should be appointed. The institution, although denominated the Mechanics, would not be exclusively confined to any distinct or separate body; it would be. perfectly Catholic in its desing and application-it would be neither partial nor limited. It would be open to all, and all desirous of acquiring knowledge, are invited to partake of the benefits offered with an equal hand.

Three meetings of this provisional committee have been held at the Parental Academic Institution, at the last of which, held on Saturday, a prospectus, written by Mr. G. Grant, was read and approved. It set forth the usefulness and success of similar institutions in A Sub-committee has likewise been appointed to Europe, America, and other parts of the world, and draw up a code of rules for the Society, which, as well the desirableness of establishing one in Calcutta, by as the prospectus, is to be submitted for the considerawhich the value of mechanical science in a practical tion of a public meeting, intended to be convened at point of view, would be appreciated. It then entered the Town Hall on some convenient day, to be hereinto the state of moral and intellectual education among after fixed upon; when the Society will be formally the East Indians, their attention being hitherto devoted instituted.

almost exclusively to the pen, whilst Europe and America provided various other fields for the employ. It has also been considered desirable, that in the ment of their people. The prejudice which in this infancy of the institution, a course of popular lectures country exists against mechanical pursuits, was also on the following subjects, be commenced with, viz., noticed, and this institution, it was said, would tend to remedy these evils, which attempt was likely now to be 1st-Introductory Lecture on the objects and ad crowned with success, in consequence of the interest vantages of Science, 2d-Practical Mechanics, 3dwhich the East Indians had commenced to take in the Electricity, 4th-Steam Engine, 5th-Astronomy. subject. The objects of the institution were the instruc- 6th.-Chemistry, 7th-Natural History. 8th-Geo. tion of mechanics in the principles of the arts they logy. 9th-Physics. practise, the general diffusion of scientific and useful, knowledge amongst the members of the institution, Another Sub-committee has been formed for the and by their influence amongst all classes of society. purpose of obtaining the aid of gentlemen to deliver The means of carrying these objects into effect, were lectures, and we understand that the introductory, and the establishment of lectureships on the different arts some of the other lectures, will be open to all, without and sciences. Distinct classes for scientific communica- any charge of subscription, in order to enable the pubtion, and arguing on the subjects of the lectures, or on lie to form a due estimate of the objects and characte given subjects, the formation of a library of reference of the institution.—Hurk., Jan. 14.

EXAMINATION OF THE BORAL SEMINARY.

Our readers are not, perhaps, aware of the existence his Lordship, the Archdeacon, the Revd. Mr. Allan of an English School, at the village of Boral, a few miles from Colly Ghaut. It was established about a couple of years ago, by some of the students of the Hindoo College. This seminary gives education to about 70 boys, and is supported by subscription, entirely raised amongst natives. On Saturday morning last, an examination of the pupils took place at the Bishop's palace. The proceedings of the day were conducted by

the Revd. Mr. McQueen, and Rajah Kalikissen
Bahadoor. His Lordship expressed himself highly
gratified that the native gentlemen, who founded and
conducted it, took so much interest in the cause of
education which will make those, who received the
benefits of it, obedient to God and dutiful to man.
The examination broke up at one o'clok ?.
M.-Hurkaru, January 21.

ADDRESS TO MR. ROSS..

TO THE HON'BLE A. Ross, Esq, &c. &c. &c. SIR-On the occasion of your departure from India, the Chamber of Commerce desires to convey to you the expression of the respect for your official conduct, which it so strongly feels.

To K. R MACKenzie, Esq.,

President of the Chamber of Commerce

Calcutta.

SIR,-I cannot but feel much gratified by receiving, It would be beyond its province, to enter into the before my departure from India, the expression, which merits of your Government in its political relations, you have conveyed to me, of the favorable opinion however cordially it concurs in the high estimate, of my official conduct entertained by so independent entertained thereof by the community; but in regard and so intelligent a body of Merchants, as that of to the commercial relations, of which the Chamber may, which you are the President. without arrogance, be peumitted to speak, it bears a warm and a grateful testimony to the wisdom and vigor of your administration.

You, Sir, have inyariable accorded immediate attention to every suggestion for the attainment of any public good, connected with this important branch of our local policy. Shrinking from no official difficulty, where a general benefit was to be effected, showing indulgence to no abuse, however ancient its standing, or high the quarter where it may have been found to exist; measures of improvements and redress of grievances following each other in rapid succession.

the man.

I have long been of opinion, that an increasing com merce and intercourse with foreign countries, is necessary to the improvement of the condition of the people of India; and that, without such intercourse and the knowledge which it is calculated to diffuse amongst them, the best efforts to promote their civilization, will be but slow in operation.

Holding this opinion, I have availed myself of every opportunity I have had, to advance the interests of the productive and mercantile classes, and it is satisfactory to me to know, that my endeavours have been approv ed by a body, so competent to appreciate them. as the Chamber of Commerce.

Industrious and unostentatious, the possession of a The terms in which the Chamber has adverted to distinguished station seemed with you to be held, less the part which I took in the abolition of the Transit as an object of personal ambition, than submitted to, Duties, and the testimony which it has borne to the for the sake of the opportunity it afforded of doing good policy of that measure, are particularly gratifying extensive good, and the admiration, which was justly to me. Convinced as I was of the very pernicious effect due to the Governor, was even surpassed by esteem for of those duties, not only upon the trade, but also upon the agriculture of the country, I should have ill perThere is one executive measure, to which the Cham-formed my duty, when the Government of Agra deber cannot refrain from adverting. When Lieutenant volved upon me, had I not abolished them in that preGovernor of Agra, where men of less decision would sidency, by removing the Inland Custom Houses to have faltered, you seized the earliest moment boldly the frontier of our Territories. I rejoice that the meaand judiciously to abolish the odious burden of the sure caused not only the immediate abolition of the Transit Duties, an act of honest and enlightened policy, the abandonment also of the equally pernicious system same pernicious duties in the Bengal Presidency, but the beneficent precursor, if not the cause, of the prompt of Town Duties throughout the Provinces, both of abandonment of the system at this Presidency. Bengal and of Agra; and I earnestly hope, that the same full measure of relief will soon be extended to the Presidencies of Madras and Bombay.

Freed from these vexatious trammels, the trade of the country will now pursue its course with fresh energy, and we will long d well with gratitude on the remembrance of one, who has accomplish ed so much to ensure its prosperity.

With our earnest wishes for a pleasant and speedy passage to your native land, I have the honer to be,

(on behalf of the Chamber of Commerce,)

Sir, your most obedient servant,

K. R. MACKENZIE, President.

A general meeting of the subscribers to the second | The present value of a share in the Society, about to Bombay Laudable Society, was held yesterday, at the close, after carrying Rs. 31,677 to the credit of the office of the Secretaries, when it was determined to next one, is about Rs. 7,470, subject, however, to any establish a third Laudable Society, to commence on the variation that may take place in the price of Government 1st January, in succession to the present one about to securities when the accounts are finally made up, and close on 31st instant. It was agreed to adopt the Re- also to be reduced by any lapse of lives subscribed on, gulations of the second Society, with some modifications, that may occur before midnight of 31st instant, and the most important of which are the reduction of the which shall be ascestained before the 15th February maximum number of shares that can be held on any next. Those ascertained after that date are at the risk life from six to four, and the increase of the amount to of the next or third Laudable Society. be carried from the third to credit of the fourth Society, from ten to twelve per cent. on the amount of Subscrip-| tions received during the term of the Society.-A final On the whole, the affairs of the Society are in a dividend of the funds of the present society, is to be flourishing state, and the principles on which it was declared payable on the 20th February 1839. The established, have now been satisfactorily tested by the following gentlemen were unaminously elected Direc- experience of ten years. The value of a lapsed share tors of the Third Society :-Messrs, Lewis Grant, F. M. on the winding up of the affairs of the First Society, was Davidson, J. G. Frith, R. Smith, and T. W. Hen- Rs. 7460, but in that case only Rs. 999, were transderson. A proposition was submitted from one of the ferred from it to the credit of the second, while the Subcribers, suggesting a reduction in the rates of Sub- amount transferred from the present to the succeeding scription, but it was not deemed advisable by the meeting, society, amounts, as has been already stated, to to make any alteration. Rs. 31,677.-Bombay Times Dec, 22.

CIVIL SERVICE ANNUITY FUND MEETING.

H. M. Parker, Esq., also addressed the Meeting to the same effect, opposing Mr. Mangles's proposition."

A meeting of the Civil Service Annuity Fund was proposition before the Meeting be at once rejected. held yesterday, at the Town Hall, and was very fully This amendment was lost by a small majority. attended. JAMES PATTLE, Esq., in the Chair. The chairman read the requisition for convening the Meeting, as advertised in the newspapers; the accounts were passed; and the Managers of the past year were re-elected, but in place of Messrs. T. H. Maddock and Pierce Taylor, who are absent from the Presidency, Messrs John Trotter and J. H. Young, were elected.

A second Amendment was then moved by J. A. Dorin, Esq., second by-Cracroft, Esq., and lost by a majority of one-That before forwarding any further representations to the Honorable Court of Directors, we respectfully ask for replies to those which have already been submitted to them.

which not being seconded, was not put.
J. Trotter, Esq, proposed another Amendment,

The business of the General Meeting being now concluded, it was made Special, for the purpose of considering the propriety of memorializing the Court of Directors, that "the indulgence of retiring upon reduced Annuities now granted to Subscribers, who have been more than ten and upwards of fifteen years in the country, upon H. M. Parker, Esq., then put the following procertified inability from ill health to remain here, may be position, seco nded by D. Pringle, Esq., which was lost extended to all subscribers of that period of actual re- by a majority of one again :-That a Committee be sidence respectively who may wish, from whatever cause, nominated to determine whether the present proposition to retire." The Chairman read the proposition of the is compatible with the prayer of the Memorial addressed eleven subscribers; after which Ross D. Mangles, Esq., to the Honorable the Court of Directors on the 7th rose and directed the attention of the Meeting to the April, 1838. rough draft of a memorial he held in his hand, which he would read to them. After which it was proposed by him, seconded by C. Tucker, Esq., That the principle of the requisition be approved by this Meeting, and that a Committee be appointed to draw up a memorial thereon to the Honorable Court.

The original motion of R. D. Mangles, Esq., was then again put by the Chairman, but lost, it not having the requisite three-fourths of votes in its favor, as prescribed by the rules.

Ross D. Mangles, Esq.. then proposed, seconded by J. H. Young, Esq.-That the question of the Requisitionists be referred to the Service at large. This propo sition was lost, by the same rule as the preceding.

Aber. Dick, Esq., strongly opposed the proposition of the eleven subscribers for memoralizing the Honorable Court, on the grounds that it would be of no benefit to the Service, and decidedly injurious to the interests of the public: be therefore proposed, as an amendment to the above, seconded by F. C. Smith, Esq.-That the dissolved.-Calcutta Courier, January 2.

Thanks were then voted to the Chair and the Meeting

THE REGATTA.

The 4th Race between "Greenwhich Pensioner" and "Black Diamond," was excellent, the former winning by three lengths only. The veteran would have bea ten the" Diamond" farther, had not his propensity for grog tempted him to grasp at the bottle of strong waters which was suspended from the Madagascar's jib boom.

The old gentleman pulled at it hard, but, alas it was too well secured, and after stopping the boat and unshipping his hat and wig, and being nearly dragged over-board. "Black Diamond" was so close to him, that he was reluctantly compelled to let it go or loose

the race.

As soon as the Race was won, he returned to look for the dear bottle, but, alas, it was gone, and the Racers had dipped deeply into its contents.

The 5th Race was pulled by four dingies for the prize of a new dingy, upon an improved plan, to be given by the Club, the Richmond's dingy winning by three feet. The London's, however, disputes the point on the score of foul play having been committed by the former in mot rounding the station boats. This has yet to be decided.

The 6th class was a public challenge by "Jubberdustee" to the winning boat of the first class, viz. the Mary Ann Snooks," which was won by the latter in prime style-two of the "Water Lilley's' crew volunteered their assistance in pulling her. Hurkaru, January 3.

MEETING OF THE OCEAN MARINE INSURANCE COMPANY.

The Meeting of the Ocean Marine Insurance Company, was held this morning at the office of Messrs. Bruce, Shand and Co., and was very respectably attended; Mr. Kelsall, in the chair. The accounts of the Company for the past six months were approved and passed as satisfactory. The following is an abstract:

Amount of Premiums,.......... Rs. 1,15 445 8 10
Deduct, Charges, &c....

19,998 4 9

95,447 4 1

50,000 0 0

1,45,447 4 2

It is moved by Capt. Vint, and seconded by Mr Patrick, that further leave be given for the deposits not paid until next account day. Interest at 8 per cent. to be charged to the date of payment.

The Committee were then thanked for their past services and requested to continue them for another six months. Agents were appointed at Colombo and Liverpool. Thanks were voted to the chair and the meeting separated.

Great indignation was expressed by the members present at the meeting, at the lubberly manner in which the Captain of the " Duke of Northumberland" had run his ship on shore some time ago, at the Cape: this office had a considerable risk on the vessel, and the unfortunate occurrence of the wreck now prevented the office making its usual half yearly dividend at the present time. The ship, the Northumberland, has been a great loss to three or four Insurance offices in this city, and we trust due enquiry 50 845 2 6 will be made into the conduct of the Captain on his arri val in England, with respect to the wreck-Calcutta Courier, Jan. 5,