[ 48°] 
EMINENT PERSONS. 
—— ‘ 
BIOGRAPHY OF 
ACCOUNT OF M. D’ACOSTA, EDITOR OF 
“THE TIMES,” OF CALCUTTA; BY M. 
ALTONSE DENIS. 
Bee D’Acosta was born in Bengal, 
in 1785; his family name denotes a 
Portuguese extraction. He was re- 
moved, at a very early age, from the 
place of his nativity; and, for some 
time, he pursued his studies at Paris. 
The situation of his affairs recalling 
him to India, he quitted France alittle 
before the revolution. 
Young D’Acosta possessed a pene- 
trating genius, giving early proofs of 
the acuteness of his mind for research, 
and that he had beenactive in making 
improvement of his previous studies. 
Various articles of a scientific nature 
were introduced by him into the 
Gazettes of Calcutta ; but his attention 
was not exclusively devoted to philo- 
sophy and literature, and he discovered 
talents which might be beneficially 
employed upon other subjects. He 
soon became partner in a very cre- 
ditable commercial house, where his 
diligence, accuracy, and ingenuity, 
recommended him on every occasion, 
and his utility was immediately obvious. 
Success attended his speculations. 
But he had other subjects of his lucu- 
brations than merely that of getting 
rich; and a publication of his at 
Calcutta in 1807, on a plan of better 
insuring commercial ventures, shewed 
that he had a quick eye in discovering 
errors, and a lively fancy in devising 
ameliorations, in the local practices 
connected with the subject. The prin- 
ciples, &c. which he therein fully de- 
scribed and explained, appeared extra- 
ordinary in so young a writer, and the 
“‘reneral considerations” contained in 
it, especially towards the close, not only 
evince opinions of high importance, 
but prove, besides, that their author 
had attained a complete knowledge of 
his subject. 
Tn consequence of the failure of a 
house wherein M. D’ Acosta had vested 
a portion of his property, the disap- 
pointment and discouragement gave a 
different direction to bis pursuits. His 
inclination to literature acquired an 
additional incentive, and a larger field 
was opened for the expansion of his 
abilities. As he improved in a more 
critical knowledge of mankind, retreat 
and study seemed to offer a surer pro- 
mise of satisfaction than bustling in the 
Aug. t, 
busy world. Hence solitude and study 
became the asylum and employment of 
powers that had a natural turn to lite- 
rature. His reverses enabled him to 
judge better of men, inspiring him with 
more vigilance and solicitude to guard 
against cunning and insincerity. With 
such pretensions to the gifts of nature, 
no wonder that the incitements to com- 
merce, and the hopes of Incre, gave 
way to an exclusive passion for lite- 
rature. 
The English had then reduced all 
the remaining French establishments 
in India, and M. D’Acosta, who: lived 
retired at Chandernagore, was consi- 
dered as one of that nation. But, like 
others settled in Bengal, previous to 
the commencement of hostilities, he 
was not treated as a prisoner of war; 
and, in that respect, was more fortu- 
nate than many of his fellow-country- 
men, by adoption. According to his 
opportunities, and power of displaying 
it, his benevolent disposition flowed un- 
restrained to some persons whom he 
judged worthy of his esteem, and who 
had the difficulties of the times to en- 
counter. It was at that time he 
formed an intimate and durable ac- 
quaintance with M. Morenas, who has 
partly furnished me with the materials 
of the account here given. 
In 1821, M. D’Acosta, in conjunce 
tion with M. Morenas, brought out a 
periodical miscellany, entitled, “ The 
Calcutta Magazine.” Butjoining with 
a third associate, M. Tatler, though 
every thing conspired to give this pub- 
lication an eminent place among its 
brethren, a praise to which it had a le- 
gitimate claim, differenees of opinion 
produced a contest, which terminated 
in the discontinuance of the work. It 
contained some very curious articles, 
blended with information and remarks 
of a general interest. Discussions on 
Indian antiquities, in some parts of the 
work, were highly deserving of notice, 
as digested with considerable clear- 
ness, and illustrative of historical 
events, On such a subject, in lieu of 
conjectures, to produce remarkable 
and well-authenticated facts, is a cir- 
cumstance of no trifling importance. 
The immense erudition of Acosta 
enabled him to draw curious pieces 
and fragments of the elder times, from 
the temple of antiquity, and which he 
was capable of appreciating and dis- 
- playing. 
