Colonial Institutions. 
31 
106. Amongst the buildings that ought, to satisfy a spirit in search 
of amusement, both Theatres take first place. The first was built in 182S 
by subscription amongst several Dutchmen fond of the stage, for ama- 
teur theatricals, a hobby that nevertheless soon got so absolutely tired of 
being ridden, that the building would remain quite empty were not a 
concert to fill its spacious flooring occasionally. The second was estab- 
lished as a private speculation whither North America incites its Thalian 
youth to cross the expanse of ocean in order to fan again, or continue 
aflame the taste for Dramatic Art now dead or dying in British Guiana. 
107. Two Turf-Club meetings — for where could Englishmen exist 
without them? — which usually take place at the beginning and middle of 
the year, were days' of diversion and enjoyment not only for the fashion- 
able world, because they always finished up with Balls, but also for the 
other classes of Georgetown residents. The' heyday however of these 
pleasures was already past, because in the spring of 1841 the Club was 
closed. 
108. Every other day there appeared for a time three local sheets, the 
Royal Gazette, as Government newspaper, the Guiana Times and the 
Guiana Herald. The life of the last one was but short — it went almost as 
quickly as it came. 
109. Scientific Institutions have been attempted it is true from time to 
time, bnt, they either perished while yet in infancy or, respited awhile un- 
der miserable circumstances, died at last from internal consumption — a 
cause of mortality otherwise quite unknown in Guiana. I might almost 
doubt whether one dare cast a more propitious horoscope for the three 
new Societies founded in 1841, the Agricultural Union,* the Astronomi- 
cal, and the Botanical Society, because the Colonists collectively show too 
little interest in scientific aspirations, this being completely absorbed by 
the racing and chasing after commercial and practical pursuits. 
110. Two Financial Institutions, a branch of the West Indian Col- 
onial Bank, and a local one, the British Guiana Bank, adjust money tran- 
sactions. The latter! is founded on shares, of which 6,000 issued at £50 
each are all in the hands of the Colonists: in 1830, 50 per cent, had al- 
ready been paid on them. The report for 1840 shows a favourable state of 
affairs: the profit on the original capital paid into it. amounted to more 
than 111 per cent., of which however, only 4 per cent, was divided half- 
yearly, the surplus being placed to tin* Reserve Fund. 
111. A Savings Bank was established a few years ago, and under the 
supervision of Governor and Executive, has already, in the short course 
of its existence, shewn excellent results. 
112. The current coins of the Colony consist almost only of Spanish 
whole, half, and quarter dollars. The Spanish dollar amounts to three 
guilders colonial money, which is divided into 3, 2, 1, 1, 1, and i guilder- 
pieces, and, for purposes of reckoning — no actual coinage — it is divided 
into 100 cents, or 4 shillings and twopence- According to our German 
money, the Spanish dollar is worth 1 thaler 10 silver groschen. Local 
gold or copper money is not in circulation. The current paper money 
in 1832 amounted to 2,199,758 Guilders, but is at present almost redeein- 
*The present Royal Agricultural and Commercial Society— (J.R.) 
f Now absorbed in the Royal Bank of Canada, (Ed,) 
