BOMBAY. 
213 
many are below, and very few above it, at the spring- 
tides. 
During the monsoons it is necessary to go from 
house to house in boats ; and for several months the 
unwholesome effects of these inundations are felt by 
the inhabitants. Formerly, the whole of that part of 
Bombay which at present forms the esplanade was 
covered with cocoa-nut trees; but now the whole 
space is cleared from the higher extremity of the 
island to Dungaree, a large town solely inhabited by 
the native population. 
The accompanying view is taken from the back of 
the island, behind the fort, which is seen on the pro- 
montory ; and Colabah lighthouse appears in the dis- 
tance on the right. The castle presents a regular 
quadrangle, with numerous works, especially towards 
the harbour. The fortifications of Bombay are consi- 
dered extremely strong, except on the land side, where 
they would offer but a feeble resistance to an enemy 
once landed and capable of making regular approaches. 
The town within the fort was begun by the Portu- 
guese, but has been finished by the British : the 
houses, however, which have at different times been 
erected, are built much upon the same construction as 
those raised by the Portuguese ; so that the town has 
still a mean appearance, compared with the presiden- 
cies of Calcutta and Madras. The sea washes the 
walls of the fort on three sides ; on the fourth is the 
esplanade. 
The town on the north side is inhabited principally 
by Parsees, who, though a highly enlightened race of 
people, are generally so filthy in their houses, that it 
