THE DIFFERENT RAČES OF INHABITANTS SETTLED IN

CALCUTTA.

Calcutta, March 1797.

THE group of inhabitants that meets your eye in paffing along the streets of Calcutta, is a multifarious mixture of adventurers of every complexion, and from almost every nation in the world. Even the mercantile part of the community confifts of individuals from almost all the countries of Europe and Afia.

THE Armenians are the most refpectable, and perhaps the most numerous body of foreign merchants in this capital. They carry on an extenfive trade from China, and most of the fea-ports to the eastward, and to the weft, as far as the Perfian Gulph. Their information from all these different quarters, is deemed the moft accurate and minute of any body of men in their profeffion. They are attentive, re

gular,

gular, and diligent in bufinefs; and never think of departing from their line, and indulging in diffipation, even after a competency has been acquired. Their houses are, therefore, of old standing, and many of them are poffeffed of large capitals. As fubjects they are 'perhaps the most peaceable and loyal to be found in any country: as members of fociety they are polite and inoffenfive.

WHEN the convalefcence of his Majefty, after a fevere indifpofition, was publicly notified in Calcutta, a general expreffion of joy was made by all the inhabitants. But the moft confpicuous and brilliant illuminations were difplayed by an Armenian merchant: because accompanied by an act of charity.

His loyalty did not escape the notice of Lord Cornwallis, who on interrogating him what particular intereft be felt in the life of his Britannic Majefty, received this reply: " "I have, my Lord, lived under his government for near thirty years; it has never injured me; but on the contrary always afforded its protection and this, with industry on my part, has enabled me to accumulate a very plentiful fortune." This speech is not, perhaps, the most eloquent; but, I confefs, that to me it has conveyed a more advantageous idea of his understanding, than if he had compofed volumes of our political sophistry.

WHEN thefe circumftances were reported to his Majefty by the Governor-General, the Armenian

was

was prefented with the miniature of his Sovereign, which he continued to wear till his death; and his fon now wears it in honour of his family.

SOME of the more refpectable Armenians are commonly invited to the public balls and entertainments given in Calcutta where they invariably behave with all that decorum and correctnefs which a knowledge of mankind generally produces. A few priests of their perfuafion, are maintained by them, not only in affluence, but in fome degree of fplendor. In their fondness for fhow and elegance, the Armenians approach nearer the English than any merchants here they are, however, more guarded in their expence; for they are feldom feen difplaying their equipage till they are fully able to defray its charge.

THE Mogul merchants are the next body of ftrangers, if they ftill merit that title after fo long a refidence in this country. They have thirteen different mercantile houses of confiderable note, befides many other counting houfes of inferior importance. Some individuals among the Moguls are very wealthy; and are only inferior in riches to fome of the native Rajahs, Banians, and Shroffs: fome of these are more opulent than the firft noblemen in England. A million fterling, or even half of that fum*, which feveral

*

Among others are Dadee Naffir Wangee, Ramdofs, and Rajah Nopkiffen. Mr John Briftow, a civil fervant of the

Com

fereral are faid to poffefs, yields a revenue of three times the annual amount of any capital in Britain, from the exorbitant rate of intereft at which thefe people lend their money.

A Hindoo, of whatever fortune, ftill retains his narrow ideas, and parfimonious habits. His pious contributions, and the expences of his Zenana, are the greatest drains upon his income; in his dress and table there is little devoted either to the purposes of elegance or magnificence, The notches, marriages, and religious festivals, feem to be exceptions from this remark; but thefe ceremonies are under the direction of the Brahmins; and according to the ideas which thefe fpiritual guides have formed of his wealth, must the otter, rofe water, and other perfumes, and fweetmeats be, ferved in veffels of gold, under a large canopy illuminated with beautiful luftres, to many hundreds of guests of all ranks and denominations. The Hindoo on fuch occafions, is gratified with the appearance of a large company; and deems himself particularly honoured by the attendance of Europeans.

THOUGH the Notches are intended to do honour to fome deity, who prefides over the festival; yet they feem of all inftitutions the leaft calculated to excite

Company, is the richest fubject in his Majefty's dominions; his income is above 200,000l. fterling per annum.

excite religious ideas. Part of the ceremony confists in listening to the mufic of the finging girls, who drawl out their monotonous ditties with a nonchalance and dullness, which can only be equalled by the fluggish dance, and inanimate gestures with which they are accompanied. Of all entertainments, an Hindoftanee Notch is probably the moft infipid: they are fometimes accompanied with pantomimical performances of no delicate nature. Yet as fuch invi. tations are given from politenefs, it is proper that they should be accepted, with at least an appearance of fatisfaction.

THE number of Greek merchants in Calcutta is not confiderable. They however maintain one clergyman, who performs religious worfhip according to the rites of that church. He is a very agreeable and well informed man; a native of one of the islands in the Levant.

PORTUGUEZE houfes of agency are, in point of number, next to those of the English. A very confiderable number of the defcendants of that nation, by native women, refide in Calcutta. No people in Europe feem to have affimilated so closely to the manners of the country. In refpectability of character, fome of the lower ranks are little fuperior to themselves; they feem to have retained with more fteadiness the vices than the virtues of either line of their ancestors. By many they are deemed the most despicable class in India; with every vice of the na