CALCUTTA. 241 
yet at the end of November, 1803, there were three day's races at 
a small distance from Calcutta. Very large sums were betted, and 
of course were lost by the inexperienced. There are a few steady 
and practised gamblers, who encourage every species of play 
among the young servants of the Company, and make a consider- 
able profit by their imprudence. As tliose are marked characters, 
I wonder they are not sent away. 
The most rapidly accumulating evil of Bengal is the increase of 
half-cast children. They are forming the first step to colonization, 
by creating a link of union between the English and the natives. 
In every country where this intermediate cast has been permitted 
to rise, it has ultimately tended to the ruin of that country. Spanish 
America and St. Domingo are examples of this fact. Their increase 
in India is beyond calculation ; and though possibly there may be 
nothing to fear from the sloth of the Hindoos, and the rapidly 
declining consequence of the Mussulmau^ns, yet it may be justly 
apprehended that this tribe may hereafter become too powerful 
for control. Although they are not permitted to hold offices under 
the Company, yet they act as clerks in almost every mercantile 
house, and many of them are armually sent to England to receive 
the benefit of an European education. With numbers in their 
favour, with a close relationship to the natives, and without an 
equal proportion of that pusillanimity and indolence which is 
natural to them, what may not in time be dreaded from them? I 
have no hesitation in saying that the evil ought to be stopt ; and I 
know no other way of effecting this object, than by obliging every 
father of half cast children, to send them to Europe, prohibiting 
their return in any capacity whatsoever. The expense that would 
