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(as has sometimes happened), he spies a tiger, who after his nightly 

 prowl has retired to one of these dark recesses to conceal himself 

 from the glare of day. From the summit of the highest moun- 

 tain he enjoys the extensive prospect of sea and land formerty 

 described; and finds himself lost in contemplative wonder at the 

 inadequateness of sublunary operations, and the vanity of all 

 human structures; since, in this astonishing scene, not even the 

 name of the founder, nor the intent of his undertaking, is known 

 to a single individual now existing ! 



In contemplating the extensive and delightful prospect from 

 the excavated mountain, and especially the gentler hills and ex- 

 panded vallies in the centre of the island, still in their wild state, 

 it appeared extraordinary that during the ten years Salsette had 

 then belonged to the Company, cultivation was not more ad- 

 vanced. I believe its improvement has been since more at- 

 tended to, and the growth of sugar, indigo, and other lucrative 

 productions attempted; with what success I cannot ascertain. 

 At all events Indian grain, in its great variety, would, accord- 

 ing to the nature of the soil and situation, be sure to thrive, 

 and, considering the immense population of Bombay, must there 

 always meet with a ready market. It was then I again adverted 

 to the Parsees; a people, who, if properly encouraged, might form 

 a valuable colony on Salsette. From the energy and spirit they 

 possess in so superior a degree to the Hindoos, (who only tread in 

 the footsteps of their progenitors, without even a wish for improve- 

 ment) much might be expected, not only in cultivating the waste 

 land, but by the introduction of the useful arts, manufactures, and 

 commerce. They are a very multiplying people, and must in 



