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ORIENTAL COMMERCE. [Mad** to Bengal. 



through Bengal, bears a resemblance to the Ganges, except that during the 

 last CO miles, before its junction with the Ganges, it forms a stream, which 

 is regularly from four to five miles wide, and but for its freshness, might 

 pass for an arm of the sea. In the channels between the islands in the 

 mouth of the Megna, the height of the bore is said to exceed 12 feet, and is 

 so terrific in its appearance, and dangerous in its consequences, that no boat 

 will venture to pass at spring tide. 



KEDGEREE is a small village on the W. bank of the river, where 

 the ships of war frequenting this river, usually anchor. The European 

 residents are the agent who has the care of the post-office, loading and 

 unloading the Company's ships, and another agent who supplies shipping 

 with provisions and other necessaries. The village is small, but the land 

 around it flat and low, and the situation considered unhealthy during the 

 months of July, August, and September, when the periodical rains take 

 place, and the heats are excessive. 



Provisions and Refreshments of all kinds are abundant here, and 

 very cheap. Fowls, ducks, geese, pine-apples, plantains, limes, shaddocks, 

 &c. are all extremely reasonable. 



DIAMOND HARBOUR is on the E. bank of the river. There is 

 a good carriage road hence to Calcutta, distance 31 miles. Here the 

 Company's regular ships usually remain to unload their outward, and the 

 greater part of their homeward-bound cargoes ; the remainder is taken in 

 lower down the river, in Sagor Roads, The Company have mooring chains 

 laid down, and warehouses, or bankshalls, for the reception of ships'* stores, 

 rigging, &c, ; and a regular market is held, where all sorts of provisions and 

 refreshments are to be procured in abundance, and cheap. The only 

 European residents are an agent, as at Kedgeree, the Port Master (who acts 

 as Post Master), and his assistant. 



A short distance above this anchorage, the bed of the river turns to the 

 left; and a little further is the mouth of a large river, improperly called 

 the Old Ganges, but its true name is the Roopnarain. The place 

 where it unites with the Hughley, is the most dangerous part of the 

 navigation of the river. 



FULTA is a short distance higher up on the right side of the river. 



The village is considerable, and has a bazar well supplied with pro- 

 visions, vegetables, fruits, &c. There is generally an European residing 

 here, who undertakes to supply the homeward-bound East Indiamen with 

 sheep, poultry, and other stock at reasonable prices. 



The settlements above Calcutta are the following : — 



BARNAGORE, a small village on the E, bank of the river, about five 



