308 BRITISH SOCIAL SYSTEM. 



interest, he has got the young Englishman completely in 

 las power, he begins to act as a master, insists on prodding 

 K = sircar or superintendant of the household, through 

 iE.se hands all Ins money must pass. This functionary 

 defrauds in even possible shape, acts in co lus.on W«1 b th* 

 different tradesmen employed, and often obliges his master 

 to incur dishonour by appoint^ urn to places of import. 

 ance and emolument. In short, the unhappy .youth sinks 

 deeper and deeper, tiU, when the time comes that he ought 

 to have returned to Europe, he finds himself overwhelmed m 

 hopeless embarrassment. . „„„„.„ 



As a capital, Calcutta differs in many important respects 

 from those of Europe. It has not a single place of pubhc 

 amusement-no theatres-no gambling-houses. I has no 

 galleries of painting or sculpture, very lew institutions for 

 useful or scientific purposes-only one literary society, the 

 Asiatic ; but we must add a fine botanica garden belonging 

 to the company.* This description applies equally to Ma- 

 dras and Bombay. Private theatricals, however, are com- 

 mon all over India, more particularly at the presidencies. 

 Masquerades are frequent, and often successful ; music W 

 much cultivated, and considerable encouragement bestowed 

 on professors. Some years ago, in Calcutta, a French family 

 of musicians having been unfortunate, a concert was got 

 up for their benefit. The performers were amateur ladies 

 and gentlemen, and the tickel ndred "f«» * 8 <J £ "» 



three days the sum received was upwards ofl 0,000 rupees 

 _ a splendid but far from solitary instance of benevolence 

 In European cities, the class of society who may be termed 

 the managers of social intercourse and amusement are inde- 

 pendent persons of no profession. In India there is no 

 such class, unless, overlooking (he difference of sex we 

 turn to our fair countrywomen, and perhaps it may not he 

 improperly said that they are the directors of social pleasure. 

 The habit of early rising is so essential to health and 

 comfort that few persons of either sex are found to prolong 

 their slumbers beyond gun-fire, which is the moment of 

 sunrise. To ride or dm e at this tune is peculiarly grateful. 

 As the gentlemen holding official situations seldom have 

 their offices attached to a private dwelling, they are neces- 



• See vol. in. p. H~- 



