AMOUNT OF TRADE THROUGH AFFGHANISTAN, 
361 
prove of the first Importance in elucidating the 
history of that part of Asia, Most of the coins 
are Greek— chiefly of the Bactiiau luonarchs 
There are also Itoinan coins, as well as of the 
native dynasties that have reigned in Caboo!.— The 
tope of Manikayala (a dratving- of which may be 
seen in Mr. Elphinstone's work on Cabool) opened 
by Mr. Ventura, gave the fiist impetus to the ex- 
anitnation of these curious buildings. 
We hope, at a future time, to be able to give a 
more detailed account of these curiosities which 
arc, it is said, far superior in interest to any of the 
same kind that have been yel brought to light, 
central ASIA DY WAY OF INDIA AND 
AFFGHANISTAN. 
We learn from the same source the amount 
of the trade in Biitish goods tlnongh Alfghaiiislan 
which has recently been ascertained to he very 
great. M. Massutr, who is considered unques- 
tionable authority, estimates that portion of it 
which passes through Caubul alone, as north no 
less than £;93,O00! 
, To extend this trade we understand it is propo- 
sed to establish fairs on the Indus like those of 
Leipsic and Novogorod, to both of which tiaders 
from nearly all Europe and Asia lesoi t; and C'apt. 
Buines has iieen required among other things, to 
asceitain the practicability of the stlieme. Unn- 
jeet Sing, it is also said, has been spoken to regard- 
ing it, and iias entered into it with eagerness. We 
still trust, therefore, at no disiatil peiiod,i() see a 
Considerable trade on the Iitdits, and advatitage 
takeit of the facilities that magitificeiii stteant is 
calculated to alford. — Already, itideed, cotuiiteice 
is extending in that quarter. The great obstacle 
to its advaitcement has always been the want of 
some staple commodity as a retitrti for iuvesiinents 
made iti Europe goods, &c. This however has at 
length been discovered ; attd wool fioin the liidtts 
is already an important article of trade here, 
though it has only been imported for two or thiee 
seasons. To what extent it may Ire procured 
we cannot say; but judging from the infancy of the 
trade, the rapidity with which it has extended since 
it was discovered that wool was a saleable cunimo- 
diiy in Bombay, and lire extent of tbe flocks of 
sheep in Caubul, Cnndabar and tbe adjoiiitiig coun- 
tries, it is not unreasonable to suppose it willsuoa 
rank high in tbe list of our exports. 
The rise and progress of this branch of trade de- 
serves to be nienitoned, showing as it does how 
much the resources of the country may be develo- 
ped by a little enterprise and encouragement. 
Theexports, since the trade commenced— three 
years since- have been as follows:— 
IS33 .... .s. .. ....... 106 bales. 
1334 439-,,- 
1635 2 , 290 -,,— 
This year 3,692 bales have already been export- 
ad, and the sbipmenis ate increasing daily. 
The accounts too from England are becomign 
more and more favourable as the wool becomes 
better known to the manufacturers in that country. 
THE SALT WATER LAKE OF CALCUTTA. 
Draining tbe Salt Water Lake of Calcutta was 
projected by Lord AVilliam Beiilinck, we learn from 
a minute in the financial and revenue department. 
It is believed that the lowest bed of the Salt Water 
Lake is at 2, that ihedepih isftom I J to 2 feet, and 
some where exceeds 2.\ feei, that the neap (ides in 
the Hoogiiiey in March arc 5 feet 4 inches and the 
lowest spiings in March 7 feet 5 inches below the 
lowest bed of the lake, in the one casegivin/r 3 feet 
4 inches, and in the oilier 5 feet 5 inches fall. It is 
evident from this, tbe complete drainage of the lake 
cither into the Hoogly itself, or into the Canal is 
perfectly practicable. 
The warping np of the lake is a still more easy 
and certain operation, in as much as in the nionibs 
of March, April and May, the springs in the Hoogley 
are ten feel higher than tlie lowest bed of the lake, 
and the highest rise of the liver in August and 
September, is between 15 and l6fe.et; vide daily 
register of tides in the Hoogley at Calcutta from 
1803 to 1828, by J ames Kyd, Esq. 
Nor can a doubt be for one moment entertained 
of the great snpei ioritv of a deep canal of fixed and 
even dimensions, with high hanks, set vitig as roads 
and tow paths, over a navigable shallow clianitel 
tlirough an open lake only to he kept open by the 
use of a dredging machine, and not having the bene- 
fit of a lateral embankment except it be made at a 
considerable expense. 
Thelake.according to Captain Prinsep’s estimate, 
contains 18^ square miles, equal to 12,090 acres or 
38.000 Bengal Digabs. The lowest rent of these 
lands near Calcutta is 2 rupees per Bigah the lowest 
amount of rent, as well as produce of the lowest 
value is taken; such lattd might leasonahly he 
expected to grow indigo, cotton, or sugar cane. The 
yearly produce at 2 rupees per Bigah would be 
72.000 or £7,200 or very nearly equal to the whole 
cost of the cut, Mr. Oanipier, the commissioner of 
the Similerbims, in whose jurisdiction the Salt vva- 
ter Lake is situated, estimates tbe quantity of bi- 
gabs at 60 000, and the rent at more than 2 rupees, 
but it will be safer to take Captain Prinsep’s esti- 
mate. 
Lord William thought that the general salubrity of 
this gieai city, aiidithe vast improvement to navi- 
gation by a good canal instead of a shallow channel, 
through the open lake,weie objects of such supeiior 
importance that he put all gain and profit out of the 
question. But it would be satisfactory at any rate, 
even without any prospect of collateral advantage, 
that so much good could he attained at so little cost. 
It is necessary to remaik that the Salt Water Lake 
has been disposed of in peipeluiiy, paying a rent 
of about 4,000 rupees to Government. The profit 
ihe zemindars, as he learn from the Commissioner, 
from the fisheries, from reeds, and from lands, from 
nliich the waters have] receded, amounts to above 
16.000 rupees ; he knrut from the some resource 
