Calcutta.] 



ORIENTAL COMMERCE. 



255 



The Black Town is to the N. of Calcutta, and contiguous to it ; it is 

 extremely large and populous, with very narrow, confined, and crooked 

 streets, a few of which are paved. The houses are variously built, some 

 with brick, others with mud, and a greater proportion with bamboos and 

 mats. These different kinds of buildings, standing intermixed with each 

 other, form a curious appearance. Those of the latter kind are invariably 

 of one story, and covered with thatch ; those of brick seldom exceed two 

 stories, and have Hat terraced roofs. Most of the streets have a small canal 

 on each side, about a foot and a half to two feet wide. 



Fort William is situated about a quarter of a mile below the town, 

 and makes a noble appearance from the river. It was built by the English 

 soon after the battle of Plassey, and immense sums have been expended 

 upon it. 



The fort contains only such buildings as are necessary, such as the resi- 

 dence of the Commandant, quarters for the officers and troops, and the 

 arsenal. Exclusive of these, the interior of the fort is perfectly open, pre- 

 senting to the sight large grass plots, gravel walks occasionally planted with 

 trees, piles of cannon, bombs, balls, and whatever can give to the place a 

 grand, noble, and military appearance. Each gate has a house over it, 

 destined for the residence of a Major ; they are large and handsome buildings. 



Between the fort and the town a level space intervenes, called the 

 Esplanade. The Government House, and Chowringhee Road, a line of 

 detached houses belonging to Europeans, make a very interesting figure : 

 they are detached from each other, and insulated in a great space, the 

 general approach to whicb is by a flight of steps, with large projecting por- 

 ticoes, which give an elegant and handsome appearance. The Government 

 House is situated on the W. side of the Esplanade. 



The aforegoing account is probably a very imperfect picture of the 

 present state of Calcutta. Every year witnesses astonishing improvements 

 there, in the enlargement of old roads, the formation of new ones, the 

 erecting of churches and splendid public and private edifices, the removal 

 of nuisances, &c. Under the administration of Marquis Hastings, Calcutta 

 almost changed its aspect 



The population of Calcutta, which was formerly estimated at 700,000, 

 Was ascertained in 1822, during the new assessment, when the numbers were 

 found to be as follow : — 



Christians, 13,138; Mahommedans, 48,162; Hindoos, 11 S,203 ; Chi- 

 nese, 41 4 ; making a total of 1 79,91 7 only. Besides the resident population, 

 about 100,000 persons enter Calcutta daily, from the suburbs and opposite 

 side of the river. 



