TO FLAUTISTS.

THOMAS PROWSE 13 SHANWAY STREET,

BRATED CHARLES NICHOLSON'S FLUTES), takes this opportunity to inform the Musical Public in India and the Colonies that he now also manufactures Flutes on the principle of the talented Flautist, JosH, RICHARDSON; therefore all future orders should state whether a "NICHOLSON" or "RICHARDSON" Flute is required.

Those instruments possess a remarkable brilliancy of tone, and are perfect in intonation and tune in every key; the superiority of style in the finishing department leaves nothing to be wished for by the connoisseur, and the plan adopted only by T. P. of seasoning the wood for extreme climates renders these instruments far superior to any others now manufactured.

The prices are the same as for the "Nicholson's" Flutes, and vary, according to their number of keys, from 11 guineas to 30 guineas; and purchasers, to prevent their being imposed upon, will receive a certificate, signed by the approver and maker, thus-JosH. RICHARDSON and THOS. PROWSE.

All orders must be accompanied with a remittance, or by an order through their agent in London.

An extensive and modern Stock of Wood and Brass Instruments for Military Bands.

THOMAS PROWSE, 13, HANWAY STREET, OXFORD STREET, LONDON.

No connection with any other House in England.

VARICOSE VEINS, WEAKNESS, FRACTURES, SPRAINS, &c.

HUXLEY'S SURGICAL CAOUTCHOUC ELASTIC

STOCKINGS are now daily patronized by the leading members of the profession; their superiority over every other manufactured fabric, for artifi cial support, is admitted by all who inspect them; they afford an equal, comforting, and permanent pressure, on every portion of the limb, avoiding the excessive trouble of lacing; they are drawn on with the facility of an ordinary stocking, adding little or no size to the leg. The success that has attended every case submitted to them, through the profession or otherwise, has established the confidence of all the first practitioners. H. and Co. are therefore enabled to guarantee a comfort and support hitherto unknown in any other form of bandaging. It is remarkable that every kind of surgical stockings lately used have a tendency to impede the free and healthy action of the muscles, thereby producing relaxation and great diminution of the limb.

Only to be obtained at HUXLEY'S PARISIAN SHIRT WAREHOUSE, 5, Vere Street, Cavendish Square. Manufacturers of Patent Abdominal Belts. Directions for Self-measurement and the Articles forwarded by Post.

SARSAPARILLA.

BRIDGE'S SARSAPARILLA continues to be carefully

prepared by T. A. BRIDGE and Co., Operative Chemists, &c., 270, Regent Street, London. It is a pure Cortical Essence of Red Jamaica Sarsaparilla, and for many years has been extensively used as the best and cheapest preparation of this esteemed alterative Medicine. It has a large sale in INDIA and the Colonies, as well as in England, and the highest testimonials are inclosed with full directions with each bottle. A dessert spoonful is a dose, equal to half a pint of Compound Decoction of Sarsaparilla, as ordered by the London College of Physicians. In bottles:-Pints, 15s.; half-pints, 8s.; and quarter pints, 4s. 6d. Messrs. BRIDGE beg to caution the public against spurious imitations which are now being sold, and respectfully intimate that none is genuine without having the name of T. A. BRIDGE engraved on each bottle. Also T. A. BRIDGE and Co.'s QUINTESSENCE of JAMAICA GINGER, a celebrated remedy for Indigestion, Flatulency, Gout, Rheumatism, Spasms, Debility, and all nervous affections. The great inconvenience of taking ginger in powder is quite obviated by this preparation, which, by a chemical process, contains all the properties of the best Jamaica Ginger in the highest state of concentration, a few drops being a dose. It is recommended by the first medical men in the kingdom. During sea-sickness, and afterwards, it is most beneficial, in doses of twenty to thirty drops. Families going abroad should be careful to provide themselves with it.

NOT PAIR OF BRACES BUT BRACE.

THE EQUIPOLLENT TROUSER BRACE.

REGISTERED 6 & 7 Vict. cap. 65. GENTLEMEN

who study to dress well must use this Brace, which, being mathematically constructed, suspends the Trousers equally, behind as well as before; gives a controlling power over the back of the side-seam and straps (during riding and walking), as well as the front of the leg. Buckles and Slides are dispensed with, and it effectually suspends the Drawers. Naval and Military Gentlemen's attention is called to this Brace.

Wholesale and retail by the Inventor, ROBERT METHAM, 2, Beresford Terrace, Walworth. Retail, price 5s. 6d., 7s. 6d., 10s. 6d., and 14s. each,-add 8d. postage for carriage.

ICE WITHOUT ICE.

TO Bess,

MERCHANTS, CAPTAINS, SHIPPERS, Resi

and every hot climate, are respectfully solicited to direct their attention to T. MASTERS'S PATENT APPARATUS for the MANUFACTURE of ICE (from spring water), Dessert Ices, and Cooling Wine, &c. at the same time. His Patent Freezing Decanters, Claret and Water Jugs, Butter and Evaporating Coolers, and Patent Cooling Filter: also his Patent Apparatus for Making and Cooling Lemonade and all other Aerated Waters, together with the patentee's newly invented Freezing Mixture, without the use of ice, shewn and explained daily, from 2 to 4, at 294, Regent-street, Oxford-street, and 7, Mansion-house-street, City. The process is so simple that eighty degrees of cold may be instantaneously produced in the hottest climate. A Bottle of Wine, &c. cooled at the trifling expense of one haltpenny.

N.B. Full and printed directions are given with every apparatus sent out, so that the most inexperienced person cannot fail; and every machine war

ranted.

MOUSTACHIOS, WHISKERS, or EYEBROWS, at

pleasure, by using GRIMSTONE'S AROMATIC REGENERATOR, for promoting and improving the growth of the human hair; the only known specific that will regenerate a new growth of hair. Sold by Sanger, Oxford Street; Barclay and Son, Farringdon Street; and all chemists and medicine venders, in bottles at 4s., 7s., and 11s. each, including a pamphlet of testimonials, and directions for using this essential spirit, drawn from aromatic herbs and flowers. By the application of a few drops to the crown of the head, it will remove the most violent head-ache in a few minutes. It is a delightful toilet perfume. On the receipt of money orders, a liberal discount to dealers is allowed. The 7s. contains two 4s., the 11s. four times the quantity of the 4s. Retail agents appointed on receiving money orders, to WILLIAM GRIMSTONE, Herbary, Highgate, near London.

IX FOR FORTY SHILLINGS.-B. NICOLLS'S superior-fitting REGISTERED SHIRT, with the best work and materials. The advantages gained in these Shirts are, that, whilst the body, neck, and sleeves are perfectly free, the front remains smooth, and during the time of wear retains its position without a crease, thus combining a perfect fit with ease. The cloth of which these Shirts are made is of a peculiar quality, and used alone by B. NICOLL, REGISTERED SHIRT-MAKER, 42, REGENT CIRCUS.

TO INDIAN SPORTSMEN.

HENRY TATHAM, GUN MAKER, 37, Charing Cross,

London, begs respectfully to thank his sporting friends at home and abroad for the great encouragement he is receiving in the sale of his Short Musket-bored Double-barrelled Rifle, with a pair of extra shot barrels to fit the same stock, if required, fitted up in a leather case, with the necessary apparatus complete, which are considered by all gentlemen who have tried them to be the most perfect.-Also a variety of new and second-hand Guns, with all the modern improvements.-Air Guns for shot and ball.

Orders, accompanied by a remittance, will receive prompt attention.

NOTICE TO THE PUBLIC.-BILIOUS & LIVER COMPLAINTS. ANTIBILIOUS PILLS. - No medicine

DIXON'S

ever offered to the public has met with such general approval as DIXON'S ANTIBILIOUS PILLS. For the last FIFTY YEARS they have been considered a safe and effectual remedy for complaints arising from affections of the liver and stomach, viz, indigestion, loss of appetite, heartburn, flatulence, spasms, costiveness, and the disorders caused from the want of a proper secretion of the bile. They are well calculated for those persons, and elderly people, who are obliged constantly to take some medicine in order to assist the action of the bowels, as they contain no drastic ingredients (or mercury in any shape), and their repeated use does not lessen their efficacy, or weaken the stomach. They have a peculiar effect in relieving headache, and all the disagreeable symptoms which arise from too much wine, or any excess of the table. As a medicine in warm climates, where bilious complaints are so frequent and alarming, they are an invaluable remedy, and strongly recommended to persons who travel, as they retain their effect for some years.

The proprietors of this excellent preparation, in consequence of repeated application, have been induced to offer a ONE SHILLING BOx, which is sold, wholesale and retail, with the former sizes, at their new establishment, 24, Conduit Street, Regent Street. None are genuine which have not GEORGE DIXON engraved on the government stamp, sealed with his arms; and wholesale by Messrs. Butler and Harding, Cheapside; Barclay and Sons, Farringdon Street; Newbury and Edwards, St. Paul's Churchyard; Sutton and Co., Bow Churchyard; Willoughby and Co., Bishopsgate Street; Dietrichsen and Hannay, Oxford Street; in Dublin by Messrs. Butler and Co., Sackville Street; in Edinburgh, Messrs. Raines and Co.; and retail by all dealers in patent medicines.

TOOPING of the SHOULDERS and CONTRACTION of the CHEST are entirely prevented, and gently and effectually removed in Youth, and Ladies and Gentlemen, by the occasional use of the IMPROVED ELASTIC CHEST EXPANDER, which is light, simple, easily applied, either above or beneath the dress, and worn without any uncomfortable constraint or impediment to exercise. To young persons especially it is highly beneficial, immediately producing an evident improvement in the figure, and tending greatly to prevent the incursion of pulmonary diseases; whilst to the invalid, and those much engaged in sedentary pusuits, such as reading or studying, working, drawing, or music, it is found to be invaluable, as it expands the chest and affords a great support to the back. It is made in Silk; and can be forwarded, per post, by Mr. ALFRED BINYON, Sole Manufacturer and Proprietor, No. 40, Tavistock Street, Covent Garden, London; or full particulars, with prices and mode of measurement, &c. on receipt of a postage stamp.

BOOTS FOR INDIA.

T. ANATOMICAL ROOT MAKER, No.

• Strand, London, begs to acquaint officers and gentlemen in India, that, by a new process in the preparation of leather, it is rendered most agreeably soft and pliable, and is not affected by any degree of heat; is also free from that disagreeable creaking noise, so often complained of. Bad fitting boots, however large, are not easy, but cause corns and swellings in the joints. T. TROY respectfully states that his anatomical knowledge of the foot enables him to combine ease with neatness, and that he only requires the measure and description of the foot to insure it. His prices are moderate, his goods of the finest quality.

DIRECTIONS FOR MEASURING.

1. The number of inches round the ball or joints of the foot. 2. The number of inches round the instep. 3. The number of inches round the heel to the upper part of the instep. 4. The length of foot when sitting and standing; or, if an old boot can be forwarded, nothing more will be required to insure a good fit.

Prices. Wellington Boots, of the prepared leather for India, 30s. per pair; ordinary, 25s.; Shooting Shoes to buckle, 18s. to 20s. per pair. Orders to be forwarded to T. TROY, 376, Strand, London.

WILLIAM FULLER, ICE PAIL MAKER to her

Majesty the Queen, the Queen Dowager, the Duchess of Kent and FULLER'S ICE CLOSET FOR MEAT, POULTRY, GAME, BUTTER, CREAM, FRUIT, &c. This closet will retain the same temperature from seven to eight days with once charging. Rough Ice is used.

Royal Family, 60, Jermyn Street, St. James's.

THE ICE PRESERVER, in which rough ice can be kept for several weeks, preventing the necessity of opening the ice house except occasionally.

THE FREEZING MACHINE, by which different ices can be inade in a few minutes; and from the constant agitation of the mixture during the process of freezing it is of the smoothest and finest quality.

THE ICE PAIL, for ICING WINE, WATER, BUTTER, &c., either with rough ice or by artificial process.

The above articles of scientific discovery may be seen at the Manufactory only, 60, Jermyn Street, six doors from St. James's Street.

MIDHURST, SUSSEX ENDOWED GRAMMAR

Head Master, Rev. Dr. GOOD ENOUGH BAYLY, LL.D. (late of New College, Oxford), Incumbent of Midhurst. Terms.-Board and Tuition in the Classics, Mathematics, Writing, Arithmetic, &c., French, Drawing, and Dancing, 52 guineas per annum (washing and medical attendance included). Each boy has a separate bed. Charge for children left with Mr. BAYLY during the vacation, 8 guineas per

annum.

Apply to Rev. Dr. BAYLY, Midhurst; or Capt. E. E. LUDLOW, E.I.Army Agent, 13, Clifford's Inn, London.

FOR

No. 86.]

EASTERN NEWS

SUMMARY AND REVIEW ОР

BENGAL:

The Kunchoora Fibre of Rungpoor.......

Miscellaneous Intelligence.... 579 Government General Order 580 Court-martial

Civil, Ecclesiastical, Military,

and Medical Establishments 581 H.M. Forces in the East...... 582 Probates and Administrations

to Estates ..

Domestic Intelligence..

592

592

[PRICE 18.

their curiosity by a sight of Lahore. British influence is everywhere in the ascendant, and sacrifices are voluntarily made to what are believed to be our wishes, which, some time since, would have been regarded as most improbable. The Governor of PESHAWUR has forbidden the holding of Sunday durbars, and the Lahore government have issued a prohibition of all labour on public works on that day. "It is not a twelvemonth," says the editor of the Bombay Times, "since we ourselves ventured on a similar measure in Bengal."

CONTENTS.

Marine Department..

....... 577

telligence

578

CEYLON

Domestic Intelligence.. Shipping and Commercial In..... 592 593

PENANG..

593

580

Shipping and Commercial Intelligence

MADRAS:

Miscellaneous Intelligence.... 584

ARRIVAL OF MAILS.

The Acbar, with the mails, left Bombay on the 31st of August, and arrived at Aden on the 10th of September; left that place on the 11th, reached Suez on the 18th, and arrived at Alexandria on the 20th. From this place the mails were conveyed by the Ariel to Malta, where they arrived on the 25th of September; the Marseilles portion being thence forwarded by the Volcano, and arriving at its destination on the 29th. The Tiger, with the remainder, was to leave Malta on the 26th, and may be expected at Southampton about the 8th inst.

The Honourable Company's brig Tigris, with the London mail of the 24th of July, arrived at Bombay on the 30th of August. The mail from Bombay was detained from the 27th to the 31st of August, for the arrival of the London mail of the 24th of July, brought by the vessel last named.

The Precursor, with the London mail of the 24th of August, left Suez on the 11th of September for Ceylon, Madras, and Calcutta.

Sir CHARLES NAPIER was certainly about to quit SCINDE -at last.

From NEPAUL there are further reports, the chief of which will be found in another column. The reader will receive it as he may please.

On the army, and the reductions recently made, the Bombay Times contains the following elucidatory remarks, which will be read with interest:

"The grounds of the apprehensions experienced by many from the large reductions making and being made in the army have been altogether removed; the hopes excited by the financial improvements procured by them have fallen short of the reality. The total augmentation which had occurred in the Company's army betwixt 1838 and 1846 amounted to above 100,000 men, with 834 European commissioned officers,-at an extra charge of about a million and a quarter sterling. This does not include Queen's corps, of which there were in 1838 eighteen regiments, costing 236,9301. and in 1846 twenty-six, costing about a million and a quarter, including war charges. The reduction proposed, or already completed, amounts to four, not six, Queen's corps, as formerly understood; and as three European regiments have within these seven years been added to the Company's army, this will leave us 4,000 more European troops than we possessed at the opening of the seven years' war. The total reductions, Queen's troops included, amount to about 47,000 men, leaving us still an army stronger by above 60,000 than in 1838. The reductions in all will save the State about 1,116,000l. a year. The list of officers remains as before-834 stronger than in 1838; while the extremely young, the invalid, aged, and inefficient, have been withdrawn,-leaving our army composed of picked soldiers, as perfect in discipline and appointments as any the world contains, and so strongly officered that it could be augmented to any amount our exigencies required, at the shortest possible notice. On the north-west frontier above Meerut we have a force of 50,000 rank and file, with 100 guns,-in which is comprised three regiments of dragoons, eight regiments of European infantry, and twenty-one companies of artillery-10,000 Europeans in all, in excellent health and the highest possible state of discipline. The utmost care has been bestowed in taking advantage of the cool and healthy stations our new frontier leaves at our disposal, so as to keep the men in the highest spirits and finest condition; our most popular and convenient cantonments being on the new line of defence. The Duke of Wellington could not have made our military arrangements more perfect, or devoted more heed to the civil condition of the country, than his favourite pupil has done. The total gain by recent arrangements is larger by much than was supposed. The military reductions amount, as already stated, to a million and a sixth; the Lahore tribute to 220,000F.; the revenue from our newly-acquired districts to 400,000l.; the in creased duty on opium gives 100,000l.; saving by the prevention of smuggling along our north-west frontier 120,0001.: or a grand total of precisely two millions sterling a year. Our net revenues have since 1838 increased by above two millions: our expenditure oug it scarcely to be larger now, unless on the account of Scinde and the

NEWS

greater magnitude of our army, than in 1838, or about 1,000,0001.: leaving an estimated balance available for public purposes, were the sword allowed to sleep in the scabbard, of nearly three millions sterling a year."

On the little JULLUNDUR disturbance noticed in our last, we find the following scraps of information in the Mofussilite:

"The Hindoos have not yet opened their shops; twelve days have now elapsed since they were first closed, and the greatest inconvenience would have been experienced by the community at large but for the prompt good offices of the Alovuala Sirdar, who at once (on the first occurrence of the disturbance) opened three or four grain shops in the new bazaar. A singular feature of this affair is the following:-One butcher, whose shop is such a béte noire to the Hindoos, is the son of an unfortunate individual, who many years ago was hung for killing cows near the city. Misr Roop Lall was then kardar, and at first refused to comply with the request of the city punchyat, that the offender might be hung. The punchyat, however, insisted on it-and afterwards went up to Runjeet Sing, and obtained from him a purwanah, to the effect that they were blameless. Some portion of their present discontent may reasonably be attributed to this circumstance. The appearance of the town is quaint. The doors of the buniahs' houses are locked, and on the threshold sit the disconsolate owners.

"We have heard also that the authorities ordered in grain from the districts, and thus helped to obviate the difficulties which otherwise would have occurred. The discontented Hindoos talk of sending deputations to Lord Hardinge and Goolab Sing."

Our readers cannot fail to be familiar with the name of DOONGHUR SINGH, the ABD-EL KADER of India. He figures in the last despatch, but it is only to inform us that he is not taken, but continues to pursue his brigand occupation without molestation.

The commercial report is on the whole good. We sincerely hope that the unfortunate state of mercantile affairs in this country may not affect seriously the trade of India. This, perhaps, is scarcely possible; but we trust the blow will be less severe than might be expected.

In our last we were obliged, from the extreme pressure of both Home and Indian matter, to omit no inconsiderable portion of that which was prepared for publication. So much of it as has not altogether lost its freshness will be found in our present number.

BENGAL.

THE KUNCHOORA FIBRE OF RUNGPOOR, AND ITS PROBABLE IDENTITY WITH THE FIBRE FROM WHICH THE CHINA GRASS CLOTH IS MANUFACTURED.

The following communications from Dr. Campbell, superintendant of Darjeeling, and Mr. T. F. Henley, regarding the Kunchoora fibre of Rungpore, were recently submitted to the Agricultural Society of India :-

THE SECRETARY, AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY, CALCUTTA. Sir,-In the Eastern Star of the 29th ultimo there is a very interesting article on the plant supposed to yield that fine fabric, the China grass cloth. The authority of Buchanan is quoted in support of the supposition that the plant is also a native of Dinagepore and Rungpore, where it is known and cultivated under the name of Kankura." As the Star is anxious to obtain further information on this plant, I beg leave to offer the little I know about it, and to tell you where and how you can procure additional and valuable particulars.

In the month of January last, when I was returning from the Bootan frontier, through the district of Rungpore, my attention was attracted by small patches of a green crop cultivated with much care, close to the villages, along the banks of the Teeshta River. I had never seen the plant before, and as winter crops are rare in that part of the country, it was an object of additional interest.

It turned out to be the "Koonkoora," and is considered by the people to be a species of hemp. It is sown at the end of the rains, and cut or pulled in February and March. It is of a dark green colour, grows to three or four feet high, and does not particularly resemble any of the nettles I am familiar with.* The leaf is not unlike that of the black currant. It is cultivated with much care, principally by fishermen or others along the river banks, and

* The grass cloth plant is supposed to be a nettle.

exclusively for making fishing nets, for which purpose it is considered unequalled by any other kind of hemp. The fibre is wonderfully strong, and it stands wetting for a long time without injury. It is not used, I believe, in making any description of cloth, or for ropes. The preparation of the thread is similar to that of hemp.

When at the Durwany sugar works, about the same time, I learnt that Mr. Henley, of Calcutta, was very anxious to procure a large quantity of the "Koonkoora" for use in the factory, and that efforts were made to purchase a supply, but without success, as the people who had grown it for their own use would not sell it, and previously there was no extraneous demand for it. The fibre of the "Koonkoora" is extraordinarily tough, and would be highly valuable in rope-works, or for the purposes proposed by Mr. Harsfall, of Leeds, in the manufacture of cloth. I would suggest that samples of the Rungpore "Koonkoora" be procured through the manager of the Durwany sugar-works, Mr. Ahmuty, and submitted to the valuation of a competent person, and the price it is worth in Calcutta or England made known in the districts in which it is cultivated, with a view to producing a quantity of it for the English market. If the requisite information as to price can be obtained, I shall be glad to assist in communicating it to the people in the portions of Rungpore along the Bootan frontier. Yours truly, A. CAMPBELL.

Darjeeling, July 12, 1847.

Note by Mr. Henley.-In addition to the remarks of Doctor Campbell on the Rungpore Kunchoora hemp, the following memorandum contains the results of my own inquiries on the subject.

Feeling convinced of the excellence of the description of fibre in question, I endeavoured, when in Rungpore, to collect a quantity, and succeeded in procuring a moderate-sized bale of it, which has been forwarded to a house in London, requesting a report of some of the large hemp and flax spinners of Lancashire. This information may shortly be expected. It is difficult, in the present state of the inquiry, to ascertain the price at which it might be procured eventually, if the stimulus of advance of funds for its cultivation were made. It is now only procurable at very high and variable rates in small parcels, from the fishermen. Under any circumstances it appears to me that it must necessarily be a much more expensive article than either Sunn or Jute, inasmuch as a labourer can prepare from one and a half to two maunds of Jute per day's work, whilst of the Kunchoora, he cannot manufacture more than as many seers. The Jute and Sunn fibres are separated from the woody stems by the process called water-retting, in a similar manner to that employed in the preparation of the true hemp and flax,-a process by which the removal of the fibre from the stems is rendered of easy accomplishment. The above nettle, on the contrary, requires a tedious manipulation. The bark or epidermis of each individual stem must be carefully scraped off the fresh-cut plant-a most tedious and delicate operation. The natives declare that the fibre cannot be separated by the water-steeping process, and they are doubtless correct on that point. The scraped stems are then spread out in the sun and dried to a certain point, after which they are beaten carefully one by one, in order to facilitate the separation of the fibrous coat, which is now removed by being pulled off each plant, still operating one by one on the plants, and not in bundles, as is the case when operating on other fabrics. The fibres now require to be carefully washed, in order to separate the remaining impurities. This sketch will serve to shew whence it arises that a labourer employed in the manufacture of the nettle hemp can only prepare about one-fortieth part of what he could have accomplished with the Jute fibres. The plant itself is perhaps of easier cultivation and more productive from a given surface than Sunn, as it will yield several cuttings from one planting. It requires, however, a rich, free soil, and plenty of manure. The second and third cuttings produce a much weaker but a finer fibre -and it is not improbable but that the Chinese, in their grass cloth manufacture, select the after-crops for their purpose. Some experiments made by bleeching and heckling a portion of first crop Kunchoora did not produce so fine and silky material as that of the China grass cloth; but as the experiment was hastily and imperfectly made, it is by no means conclusive. As I have noticed above, also, it is probable that a very different result would arise from employment of the after-crop fibres, or by the selection of the young and delicate shoots, which actually do produce a much more flax-like material. It is possible that the Chinese, by adopting these means, may produce textile materials of very different qualities. The large stems, near the lower part of the plant, yield a very tough but coarse product, admirably adapted, however, from their immense strength, for many purposes.

a

Some comparative experiments were made with European hemp compared with the Rungpore Kunchoora-by loading small bundles (four picked fibres loosely twisted) of each kind to the

breaking point-and taking the average of several trials. These experiments shewed that the nettle fibre possesses about three times the strength of Russia hemp, the latter being of an excellent quality, imported into Calcutta for special purposes.

I had the Kunchoora also employed for packings of steamengines, in which it proved quite efficient-the ordinary country fibres, such as Sunn and Jute, being totally useless for that purpose.

The question of the identity of the China grass and nettle fibre seems yet quite unsettled, and it is extraordinary that Mr. Fortune, during his botanical sojourn in China, should not have cleared up so interesting a point. I have now in my possession a couple of plants of the Rungpore nettle or Urticus tenacissima, which might serve for reference in any further inquiries on the subject.

It is hopeless to expect that the nettle fibre can be produced at so low a price as the other descriptions of textile materials of the country so long as the present laborious method of separating the bark and fibre is employed. I am, however, of opinion that mechanical arrangements could be made by which the separation and thorough cleansing of the fibre could be accomplished on large quantities with great facility and economy.-Hurkaru, August 18.

MISCELLANEOUS, LOCAL.

The

A STEAM RACE.-One of the prettiest sights that have, we think, been seen on the river of late years, was exhibited onSaturday last. The Megna government steamer, with the Sutlej accommodation boat in tow, and the Benares steamer, belonging to the Ganges Company, contested their rate of steaming. result of the race was such as might have been expected. The Benares, which was running single-handed, overtook the Megna very rapidly, and at length passed her a little above the town of Serampore, about 5 P.M. The Megna, being very close in shore, we fear once or twice too close, and encumbered by an accommodation boat as long and as large as herself, lost much way by having every now and then to sheer out into the stream in order to prevent her flat running foul of the boats at the glauts. Had the Megna been single-handed, judging from her performance on Saturday, we think the Benares would have found it difficult, if not impossible, to pass her. We should much like to see the experiment tried.-Friend of India, Aug. 12.

FRAUDULENT BILLS OF LADING. The commissioner of the Insolvent Court has justly reprobated the nefarious practice, of having bills of lading signed for goods which have never been shipped, and raising money on the shipping documents connected with them. In the case of Biale, Koch and Co. insolvents, it was proved in the Insolvent Court that money had been obtained in this manner upon these fictitious shipments; and it became necessary to put a stop to a practice, which strikes at the root of all confidence, and must create mistrust in England of all commercial bills drawn against consignments. Sir H. Seton denounced these transactions as fraudulent, and left the insolvent who had practised them at the mercy of the creditors, who are at liberty to lock him up in the jail for six months. The present exposure, and the fear of consequences, combined with the recent resolution of the Chamber of Commerce, are likely to put an effectual stop to the practice.— Ibid.

JUDICIAL TRANSFER.-The Hurkaru contains a communication relative to the transfer of the session trials in a number of districts from the Sessions Judge, who has much to do, to the Revenue Commissioner, who is said to have little to do. It appears that in consequence of the accumulation of civil duties on the civil and sessions judge, the speedy disposal of criminal charges is materially interrupted, and the humane arrangement of Government, which provided for a monthly session, and thus abridged the detention of witnesses and the anxiety of the prisoner, is in a great measure neutralized. In the districts of the 24. Pergunnahs, Hooghly, Burdwan, and Kishnagur, an additional sessions judge, who has been appointed to that office for more than eighteen months, can barely keep down the accumulation of arrears. The necessity of granting similar assistance in other districts has led to the correspondence we notice; but if the commissioners are once appointed to this duty, the probability is that the great bulk of the trials will be reserved for them, and as their circuit is only quarterly, we shall come back to quarterly sessions, to the great inconvenience, to say the least, of all parties.-Ibid.

NATIVE DISTRIBUTION OF HONOURS. - The Calcutta Star states, that a native gentleman is distributing honours and honorary dresses to the native gentlemen of Rampoor Bauleah. We suppose the allusion is to some connection of the King of Delhi, who is now travelling about the country. But it is twenty years since our Government ceased to recognize the

right of the king to be considered as the fountain of honour. "On Lord Amherst's visit to Delhi, in 1827, a final settlement took place of the relations in which the British Government in India stood towards the King of Delhi. It terminated the im

plied vassalage previously rendered, or was supposed to exist towards the royal family, by the British Government. This was the first instance of our openly and decidedly asserting the independence of the British power; it was generally stated that the crown of Hindostan had been transferred to the British nation."-Ibid.

MONEY MAKERING.-The Englishman states that the five per cents are once more at par, after having been at a discount for the last two or three months. Our contemporary has heard that applications are recommencing at the Treasury. But the discount on any description of Government security does not always regulate the transmission of cash to the general treasury for investment in that particular description of security. We were led to suppose that as the four per cent. paper was at a discount from the time the five per cent. loan closed in January 1843 to the re-opening of it in October 1846, no deposits were made in the treasury at four per cent. ; but we are very credibly informed that during this period of nearly four years, a sum equal to about two crores and sixty lakhs was subscribed to it.—ĺbid.

ON DITS.-It is said that Mr. Commissioner Harvey is about to apply for leave of absence, and that Mr. R. Torrens, the Judge of the 24 Pergunnahs, is to officiate for him. Mr. Mytton the magistrate will act for Mr. Torrens. Who is to be in Mr. Mytton's room, we have not heard.—Hurkaru, Aug. 16.

ACCIDENT ON THE RIVER.-On Saturday last a dinghee containing four Europeans was upset on the river, owing to the violence of the freshes. The boat had just left a ship when it capsized, and the passengers and native crew were thrown into the river, and carried down the stream a great distance, before the ship's dinghee sent to their relief could overtake them, The whole were fortunately saved.-Ibid.

EXTENSION OF ORDER OF THE BATH. India, we naturally suppose, will come in for its share of the civil honours of the Bath. Of those who have been instrumental by constructing and improving the institutions of the British empire in the East, which have conferred no less honour and advantage on the mother country than comfort on the inhabitants, none but those on the very highest step have ever received any personal decoration. And, in general, their share in these improvements has been limited to the approbation of the labours of their subordinates; the genius which elaborated them has been left in total oblivion. The honours which have been conferred on the chiefs who have successively ruled this empire, or its component parts, have, moreover, been usually given for great political and diplomatic services, or they have constituted a portion of the distinctions which the ministry considered proper to bestow on its members, or adherents-in few cases can we trace up these honours to eminent success in the civil administration of affairs. In the day of enterprise, the military officer has won his ribbon, while the services of those civil and military functionaries in the East, who have passed a life endeavouring to promote the happiness of the people, to render those possessions valuable to the Crown, and the British Government a blessing to the country, have remained without the smallest acknowledgment. Government will now be enabled to redress this injury, and to hold out to those who are employed in civil duties those distinctions which are prized by men in exact proportion as they are felt to have been earned. They will now be enabled to set the stimulant of honours before those who are entering upon the career of the public service, and thus secure for the interests of the empire the exercise of the highest zeal and devotion.Friend of India.

MOFUSSIL.

ALLAHABAD, Aug. 4.-Mr. Scarlett, the great ex-engineer of these provinces, has set up a shop and livery stables. His cattle are good, terms moderate, and his funds inexhaustible, and it is well worth the consideration of officers coming to this station, how far it would pay hiring a buggy for one rupee, per diem, or buggy and horse for three, as occasion may require, or purchasing and keeping up their own.-Delhi Gaz., Aug. 7. BENARES.-Saturday, July 31.-The Soane, troop-boat, in tow of the Nerbuddah steamer, arrived at Rajghat last evening, and proceeded upwards at day-break this morning a detachment of troops on board.

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The Assam steamer, having the Auckland flat in tow, arrived to-day and proceeded up.

The Kaleegunga cargo-boat, in tow of the Damooda steamer, passed the ghaut yesterday, in progress to the presidency. Thermometer 98 degrees; very hot; no breeze, and no rain.