620 
SPIRIT OF THE INDIAN PRESS. 
one period from their corps, deprived that 
country of the benefit of his services. All 
those who were acguainted with its condi- 
tion and its wants, felt at the time that 
it was an unwise policy, which made the 
greater object bend to the less, and re- 
gaided the welfare of a whole people 
as subordinate to the punctilious ob- 
servation of a very questionable rule. The 
former superintendent brought all his 
energies to bear upon the improvement of this 
interesting country ; but just at . the moment 
when he might reasonably have looked for- 
ward to the full realization of his benevolent 
views, he was snatched fiom this scene of 
usefulness, and buried in the dull routine of 
regimental duty. We offer him many apolo- 
gies for thus intruding this painful subject on 
public attention, without his permission ; but 
the exertions which he made to revive and re- 
animate Cachar are historical facts, and as 
such are in a measure public property ; and 
we may, on this ground, plead an excuse for 
this expression of sincere regret at the [pre- 
mature termination of his labours . — Friend of 
India, Februa ry 2. 
IMPORTANT TO MARINERS. 
The following is a translation of a notice 
issued by the French Government, and is highly 
important to Navigators. 
Notice TO Navigators. — Navigators fre- 
quenting the coasts of Coromandel are aware 
that there exists at Porto Novo 10 leagues 
South of Pondicherry, a smelting furnace, the 
chimney of which is very lofty and throws 
out from its summit a light so brilliant as to 
be taken at times for a light-house. 
They should be cautious of confounding 
this light with the one at Pondicherry, or by 
such a mistake they might touch the bank of 
Coleroon for want of water. 
At the northern point of the Bank, in four 
fathoms, the chimney bears W. 59° N. 
The best way of ascertaining whether they 
have reached Pondicherry as Porto Novo is 
after they have shaped their course to stand 
in boldly to the shore and keep the lead going. 
To the East and N. E. of the bank, the 
soundings diminish rapidly, in'some places a 
fathom at a cast. 
In the neighbourhood of Pondicherry on 
the other hand the soundings diminish gradu- 
ally and uniformly. 
The Bottom off the Coleroon bank is of 
sand and good for anchorage, if the sea breeze 
is not too strong. 
Ibid . (SignedJA. Henry, 
Lieut, of the Harbour Ship 
MR. NIGHTINGALE THE NATURA. 
LIST. 
We understand that Mr. Nightingale, the 
eminent n^tuialist, and Son of Sir John 
Nightingale, Baionet, who arrived heie in 
the Tigris, has proceeded to Kandy to prose- 
cute his scientific researches into the natural 
productions of the Island. Mr. Nightingale 
is well known to the British public as the 
Author of a delightful little volume “ Oceanic 
Sketches.” We are informed that the col- 
lection which he is at present making is in- 
tended to enrich the Cabinet of the Duke of 
Northumberland. — ColornboOhserver, Jan. 13. 
NOTICE TO CORRESPONDENTS. 
Scalpel’s communication will be very ac- 
ceptible ; it shall be printed across as desired 
and copies furnished. Mr. Hill’s communi- 
cation has been mislaid ; we shall esteem it 
a great favor if he will kindly send us a copy 
for our next number. We have just re- 
ceived Mr. Hodgson’s communication, In- 
dication of a new genus of Insessores. 
Dr. Forbes’ Topographical Report ofHid- 
gelee shall appear in the next Medical Jour- 
nal. Some valuable meteorological tables 
will also appear. 
To avoid double postage and the dis- 
agreeable necessity of having their copies 
returned to us, we shall feel obliged if our 
subscribers will, immediately on change of 
residence, inform us of their new address,. 
