68 SERAMPORE. 
that it occasioned was fully compensated by the coolness. The sides 
of the river were so flat, that we could see nothing beyond the 
groves of cocoa-nut-trees and mangoes, which bordered it on each 
side. The breaks from villas were but few : occasionally, huts and 
pagodas added a variety to the scene, which was certainly fine from 
the great breadth of the river, here expanding into long reaches, 
instead of the frequent windings we had observed below Calcutta. 
My servant with the palanquins and bearers soon joined us in a 
similar boat. We passed Barrackpore without calling, as Lord 
Wellesley had returned to Calcutta early in the morning. 
Serampore, the Danish settlement on the opposite bank, has a 
pleasing effect, as the houses are tolerable, andchunamed, like those 
of Calcutta. It extends for about two miles along the bank, and is 
perfectly surrounded by our territories. It has no fortifications, 
and only a small battery, for saluting. On the dispute with the 
Northern Powers, we sent a party of seapoys to take possession, 
which was of course done without the least resistance. The officer 
employed, requesting some of the Danish governors people might 
accompany his men, when they proceeded to some small place in 
the interior, lest there should be any resistance, was in reply as- 
sured, that even sending his men was unnecessary, as a hircarrah * 
would answer every purpose. Its breadth is very trifling ; yet small 
as is the territory, it is a settlement of considerable value to the 
mother country. When the East India Company took to them- 
selves the opium and salt-petre trade, to prevent any competition 
in the market, they agreed to allow a certain quantity annually to 
the French, Danes, and Dutch, at a specific price, on condition that 
* A foot messenger. 
) 
