436 



'* Toss'd through tempestuous seas, the voyage o'er, 

 " Pale, we look buck, and bless the trembling shore J" 



We found the population of* Bombay very much increased, 

 and constantly increasing. The troubles on the continent had 

 compelled many to seek an asylum from the calamities of war; 

 personal security and protection of property, under the British 

 flag, was another great inducement ; while a flourishing commerce 

 and many other causes allured a number of merchants to leave 

 their fluctuating situations in other places, for a more permanent 

 settlement on this little rocky island ; which to the higher tribes of 

 Hindoos has some peculiar inconveniences, and to the lower 

 classes of every description, must be far more expensive than any 

 part of the continent. 



The price of most kinds of provisions was nearly doubled since 

 I first knew Bombay; but there appeared no deficiency either of 

 European or Indian commodities. The shops in the bazar were 

 well stored with articles for luxury and comfort from all parts of 

 the world ; and every breeze wafted a fresh supply. But if pri- 

 vate expenses were thus increased, great indeed was the accumu- 

 lation of public expenditure since my arrival in India, and still 

 more so since my departure. According to Lord Valentia's esti- 

 mate in 1804, the monthly outgoings of Bombay amounted to 

 fifteen lacs of rupees, making one hundred and eighty lacs, or 

 upwards of two millions two hundred thousand pounds sterling 

 per annum ; although its whole annual revenue, including the 

 late cessions in Guzerat, did not exceed forty lacs, or five hundred 

 thousand pounds. 



