260 Mr. Mansvacu’s Description of the Temple of Jaggannatha, &c. 
sheds constructed and kept up by the Government for the poorer order of 
pilgrims. Much is said against the Government countenancing such a system 
of idolatry ; but I solemnly and conscientiously declare, that I do not see 
how Government could with any propriety relinquish the control of the 
temple without subjecting its votaries to the most cruel oppressions, and 
which even the most efficient police would not be able to check. But I 
fear I have already said too much, and fear also that I have laid myself open 
to the charge of advocating my own cause, considering that I derive my 
daily bread in two hundred and fifty good full-weight sicca rupees per 
mensem for collecting the tax; but I trust, also, that you will believe me, 
when I assure you that I have not once thought of myself by writing these 
ideas down: and besides, what does my opinion signify ? and who, in the 
name of God, would even do me the honour to call for it upon such 
occasions ? 
The district of Cuttack* is generally considered very poor, and is perhaps 
the poorest of all the Honourable Company’s possessions ; and much industry 
is promoted by the pilgrims who come down here, each at an average 
spending ten rupees cash in the district, and thus, at the very lowest cal- 
culation, bring more than 8,00,000 sicca rupees into circulation annually, 
where perhaps under other circumstances scarcely one-twentieth part of 
that amount would be circulated. It may be asserted that this is only to 
bring the cash from one possession into another, and that nothing is gained 
thereby ; but I believe the political economists have been puzzled in finding 
out means to bring the coin into circulation, and that much is gained in the 
way of trade by the pilgrims, not only at Jaggunnd?ha itself but also on the 
way to it, is certain. 
I have once more to implore your indulgence with regard to the many 
errors, and no doubt numerous imperfections in this short sketch ; but the 
whole has been written in the evenings, by candlelight, and my eyes not 
being of the first order, and suffering from the glare of the sand during the 
day, frequently fail me in the evenings. 
Believe me to be with great regard, my dear Sir, 
Your very faithful and obliged servant, 
I. Manspacu. 
* Katak, a royal metropolis. ( Wilson.) 
