437 



The island of Bombay should now no longer be considered as 

 a settlement, or separate colony, but as the metropolis (surrounded 

 indeed by a large moat) of an extensive domain. For this island, 

 only twenty miles in circumference, and almost covered with 

 houses and gardens, will soon become a city, similar to the outer 

 towns of Surat and Ahmedabad ; smaller indeed by eight miles in 

 its circumference than the latter in the zenith of her glory, and 

 much less than London at this present day. 



I am sorry to add, that as the Indian population of Bombay 

 increased, there was among the natives a proportionate increase of 

 crimes and punishment. This it may be alleged is a general hypo- 

 thesis, and a necessary consequence of increased population in 

 every country : there certainly are exceptions : — but wishing to be 

 impartial, and on all occasions to draw a true portrait of the In- 

 dian character, I cannot avoid adverting once more to the assertions 

 in some late publications respecting Indian morality in general, 

 and to the virtues ascribed to the servants in particular. One re- 

 spectable writer has thought proper to place the native servants in 

 a very superior point of view, to the same class of society in Eng- 

 land. I cannot subscribe to such general eulogy: with heartfelt 

 pleasure I have mentioned the fidelity and attachment of our own 

 family servants, and introduced several of their letters, received 

 since our arrival in England; yet I can neither coincide in the 

 preference given to the Asiatic over the British character, nor can 

 I sanction the circulation of such an opinion. On the contrary it 

 is well known, that notwithstanding the preference given by the 

 inhabitants of Baroche to the British government, and their affect- 

 ing exclamation on the tears of Heaven at our departure, that from 



