158 IMPORTS CAUSES OF POVERTY. 



a considerable degree, though to a less extent than 

 formerly. The chief articles of produce and manu- 

 facture in this district are, Rice, Sugar, Indigo, Silk, 

 Tussur, Cotton piece goods, and Iron, &c. A consi- 

 derable proportion of these are exported. The prin- 

 cipal articles imported are, Salt, Spices, Tobacco, 

 Cotton, Potatoes, &c. Some of the exports have no 

 doubt had a beneficial effect on agriculture. This 

 district being more an agricultural than a commer- 

 cial or manufacturing district, the proportion of 

 people who have been thrown out of work by the 

 cheaper imported European cottons, though consi- 

 derable, is not so great as in some other districts. 



29th. Besides the Branch Society lately insti- 

 tuted here by Mr. Walters, there are no other in- 

 stitutions. 



30th. The natives of this country, it is well 

 known, have no great turn for improvement. Such 

 a spirit, I conceive, would be best excited, by con- 

 vincing them of the advantages. 



31st. The religion, ignorance, and general po- 

 verty of the natives are, I should think, among the 

 chief obstacles to improvement, and if such be the 

 case, these obstacles will no doubt be best removed 

 by endeavouring to teach them, and if possible, to 



