EPISCOPALIANS, &c. The island of Bombay has but one church connected with our National Establishment: it is a handsome and commodious building, and in general well attended. Since our arrival in 1814, the Presidency has been constituted an archdeaconry. There is also a church for the members of the Kirk of Scotland; and a chapel belonging to the Congregationalists, or Independents, which is connected with the American Mission. The country contiguous to Bombay is fruitful, producing considerable quantities of corn and hay; for which a ready market is found in the capital. Cocoanuts and rice are also supplied in great abundance. The former grow chiefly in "the woods," a part so denominated from the number of cocoa-nut-trees which are planted together. The roads through these small woods afford pleasant retreats from the excessive noontide heat and a few convenient houses occupied by Europeans, and numbers of native huts, are scattered among them. : Each rice-field is surrounded by a bank, to retain the water with which it is supplied in the rainy season. An intelligent author has remarked, "The growth of this grain has a peculiarity not unworthy of notice as it loves a watery soil, so, to whatever hieght the water rises, it keeps pace with it, even to "Cacheck Arrakell, an recorded the following gratifying anecdote. Armenian merchant in Calcutta, when he heard of the King's (Geo. III.) recovery from illness in 1789, liberated all the prisoners for debt in the gaol of Calcutta! His Majesty, hearing of this instance of loyalty in an Armenian subject, sent him his picture in miniature. He wore the royal present suspended at his breast during his life; and it is now worn by his son, when he appears at the levee of the GovernorGeneral."—Ibid. eleven, and sometimes fourteen feet; the summit of the plant always appearing above the surface of the water." The Parell road, and a new road recently made along a most romantic part of the sea-shore, are the favorite fashionable promenades. The bazaars are well supplied with vegetables, beef, mutton, and kid; also poultry and fish in abundance. The fruits are very fine; especially the Mazagong mangoe, which partakes of almost every quality deemed gratifying to the taste. The oxen of Bombay are deservedly prized for their docility and speed; and perform much of the labour usually performed in England by the horse: they will travel with ease seven or eight miles an hour. The hump, a large fleshy substance, which is found between their shoulders, is frequently salted, and sent, as a delicacy, to various parts of India. The Fort of Bombay is a continual scene of business and bustle. It has but few houses in it suitable for the residence of Europeans. In those occupied by English gentlemen, the ground floors are used as warehouses, and the upper part for domestic purposes. The family apartments are often elegant, and sumptuously furnished, affording a striking contrast to the outside appearance of the buildings. CHAP. IX. Peculiar situation of the Author at Bombay-Native curiosity-Conversation with a Gentoo youth-Meetings for prayer, religious conversation, &c.-Extracts from Journal-Pleasing indications of usefulness-Visit from a Portuguese lady-Interesting and affecting conversation with some invalid soldiers-Portuguese studiesSentiments of a military officer respecting Christian MissionsConversation with a Gentoo physician-Chinese merchant at the prayer-meeting-Lieutenant Wade, his shipwreck, and death-The Author engages a passage to Ceylon-Various incidents during the voyage-Safe arrival at Point de Galle. THE suspicions which had been produced in the minds of the natives, and even of some Europeans, by the arrival of the Missionary party at Bombay, and the pledge I had given that the Island of Ceylon was the place of our intended Missionary labours, rendered my residence at the Presidency after the departure of my companions a period of painful anxiety. Though restrained by prudential motives from the public exercise of my office as a preacher of the Gospel, even my appearance in the streets excited considerable curiosity; and led the naturally inquisitive natives sometimes to enquire of me, in their broken English-" How long Master stop here?"—" When Master go away?"—"Will Master live here all days?"—" Master not go to other country?"—" What for Master stop in this place?"— To remain insensible to the anxiety which existed among the various classes of natives, as to my character and destination, was impossible; I therefore invariably endeavoured to satisfy their curiosity, and to subdue their apprehensions. The following extracts from my Journal will enable the reader to form a tolerably correct idea of the difficulties of my situation, and of the opinions of the natives respecting our character: "June 26, 1814.-On calling upon Pestonjee Bommanjee, a wealthy Persee merchant of Bombay, I was informed that he had retired to sleep, as is customary after dinner with the natives of rank. I was therefore requested to wait till he arose. A young Gentoo, who appeared to act as clerk to the merchant, came near to the place where I was seated; and, after many attempts to introduce a conversation, the following, in substance, and to the best of my recollection in form, took place:* Gentoo. What you be ?-a captain or a merchant? G. You be private gentleman then? M.-Yes. G.--You stay here-Bombay-or you go? G.-Where you go then? M.-Then I go to Ceylon. He fixed his eyes on me with evident curiosity, and deep interest, and proceeded― G.-There be three gentlemen go Ceylon-Missionaries—last week? M.-Yes; there were fire gentlemen-Missionaries-go last week to Ceylon. I am a Missionary; and when monsoon be done, then I go too. G.-I can't think-Missionary!-What be Missionary?—A Bishop ?† M.-No, no; he not be a Bishop: a Missionary be a man who give good advice to the heathen. * The broken English I had acquired during the voyage from England, by overhearing the conversations between the native seamen and their shipmates; and oa my arrival in India, I often found it a convenient medium of intercourse with the natives. + The real cause of the alarm which was produced amongst the natives by our arrival, arose, I apprehend, from their regarding the terms, Missionary and Bishop as equivalent. They had learned from the English newspapers, that the appointment of a Bishop for India had met with considerable opposition both in and out of Parliament; and among the most strenuous opposers of the measure, were gentlemen who had filled high official situations in India. Opposition from such G.-Give good advice, how-like one merchant he give advice to another merchant?* M.—No, no; I not make you understand. A Missionary-he give good advice. He tell men to be good; he tell men not to get drunk; not to steal; not to tell lies; not to say bad words; he tell how they may be saved: then they go to heaven when they die-that be a Missionary. G.—Oh! oh! that be a Missionary: I-not know what was Missionary. They be M.-They want a great many Missionaries in Ceylon. glad to have ten-twenty-thirty-forty-Missionaries: more than they can get. It cost much money for passage from Europe; and only a few persons like to come as Missionaries. G.-Some people they no like Missionaries? M.-Yes, it is so; some people no like Missionaries; they think they be very bad men. Other people think Missionaries be very good men. G.-I like Missionaries very well-I think be very good men. M.-You come to Ceylon, I be very glad to see you. G.-Oh! I pray great deal God Almighty; I no want come to Ceylon. M.-It is very good to pray to God Almighty; all good people pray to God Almighty. G.—Yes; very good to pray to God Almighty. He then went to another part of the office; but returned soon after, and re-commenced the conversation; which I insert, for the purpose of showing the strange conceptions which many of the natives entertain of distant countries. G.-Do you know Mr. B- and Mr. F? quarters naturally led them to the conclusion, that a Bishop would be very preju dicial to India. Missionary being a term to which they could attach no definite idea; and our arrival following so close upon the discussion of the Episcopal question in Parliament; we were regarded as forming part of that Establishment, which the fears of some led them to imagine was to coerce the natives into an abandonment of their religion, and a profession of Christianity! It affords me much pleasure to be able to state, that the enlightened liberality and Christian conduct of the Bishop of Calcutta, (the first Bishop sent to India from England) while they have silenced objectors, have confirmed the friends of the measure in their opinion, that incalculable benefit would result to that country from the appointment of enlightened and consistent clergymen, under Episcopal jurisdiction. He had misunderstood my meaning; supposing the word to mean a letter of advice! |