MOORSHADABAD. 2^5 
The river was covered with boats ; many of those used for pleasure 
resembled coffins, being painted black, with bands, and ornaments 
of gilding. I beheld, with more satisfaction, the numerous merchant 
vessels, which nearly lined the shore on each side, and gave incon- 
trovertible proof of the flourishing trade of this Indian capital of 
Bengal. From the custom-house a boat came off with a book, in 
which we again inscribed our names. At six we entered a nullah, 
which is dry in the summer, but now has plenty of water^ and which 
leads to the vicinity of Mr. Pattle's house. It was formerly the bed 
of the river, but a peninsula was cut through at a considerable ex- 
pense, which has saved six miles of dangerous navigation. It has 
the appearance of a lake formed by Browne, with grass to the edge 
of the water, smooth as if fresh mowed, and covered with groves of 
mangoes, occasionally retiring a considerable way back, and leaving 
open lawns of the richest verdure. As there was no current, we did 
not reach the end till eight o'clock, when it was so late that we did 
not proceed to Mr. Pattle's, but slept in our boats. 
October 1 .—Mr. Pattle called on me at eight to conduct me to 
his house, where I took up my abode, after having been twenty- 
four days on the Ganges, during which time we made four hundred 
coss. The river was unusually low, or the current would have been 
stronger, and carried the boats at a much quicker rate. 
I sent my compliments to the Nawaub, and the Munny Begum, 
which were returned by them in the course of the day. Mr. Pattle 
has fixed on to morrow to accompany me to the palace, and has en- 
,gaged a proper suwarry to attend me. 
Oetober 2,, — His Highness chose to receive us to breakfast at the 
late hour of half after eight o'clock, which, on account of the heat. 
