BOMBAY. 181 
given to the Arabs, particularly to the Imaum of Muscat, whose 
flag being recognised as neutral, his vessels sail to and from the Isle 
of France, carrying there provisions, and taking back prize goods? 
which they purchase at half their prime cost. The navigation-act 
with respect to them seems to be totally suspended in India: they 
enter their vessels at Bombay as English, and navigate from one 
part of the Peninsula to the other w ithout having an European in 
the ship, or one rupee of the property in them belonging to a Bri- 
tish subject. They have frequently a French protection also : so 
that they enjoy every privilege, and are French or English, as it 
suits their convenience. No wonder that their navy is rapidly in- 
creasing, while the English builders can hardly find sufficient em- 
ployment to keep their gangs together. 
Bombay has been said to receive its name from the Portuguese 
words bon bain, or good bay ; but this, I believe, is a mistake, as it 
was the original name of the island before the Portuguese possessed 
it, and was probably called after a goddess Bomba, who is, as I am 
informed by Mr. Duncan, at present worshipped there. The town 
within the walls was commenced by the Portuguese, and even those 
that have been since built, are of a similar construction, with 
wooden pillars supporting wooden verandahs. The consequence is, 
that Bombay bears no external resemblance to either of the other 
Presidencies. The Government-house is a handsome building, with 
several good apartments, but it has the great inconvenience of the 
largest apartment on both floors being a passage room to the others. 
Mr. Duncan, from system, avoids all parade ; and even admitting 
that the general principle w^ere right, which, I have before observed, 
I believe not to be the case, it is here certainly carried to too great 
