Hargīlas or Adjutants are numerous in the Fort, and so tame, that they will allow men to pass very near them and show no signs of fear; they stalk about the Esplanade, and rest in the most picturesque manner on the highest buildings in the city.
The officer, with his bearer holding a chatr, or native umbrella, to protect him from the sun, is watching some monkeys; and a griffin, as a young cadet is called for the first year, is amusing himself with teazing one.
PRINSEP’S GHĀT.
The audience are now requested to imagine they have embarked upon the Hoogly, off Prinsep’s Ghāt, the first landing-place of importance that is met with on approaching the City of Palaces. James Prinsep, Esq., died in 1840, and his fellow-citizens in Calcutta erected this ghāt to his memory, as having been one of the leaders of science in India, the promoter of every good work, a faithful and useful public servant, and a warm and true friend. The building in the distance is St. Peter’s, the garrison Church in the Fort, and the vessel passing up the river is complimented by a salute from its battery. Beyond the flag-staff is the Semaphore, or telegraph, a high tower from which intelligence is conveyed by signals.
THE WATER GATE.
The Water Gate of Fort William is now before you, and the horsemen are on the Esplanade,—a road extending by the river side, from Chandpaul Ghāt, to Garden Reach. This is the favourite ride and drive, during the early morning and in the cool of the evening, of all the inhabitants of Calcutta. A dinghī, a native boat covered with matting, is going up the river, filled with gharas, or jars of coarse, red earthenware, used for holding water.
The Governor-General’s pleasure boat, called the Sona makhī, or golden fly, is moored beyond; she has beautiful accommodations, and is perfectly suited to the river and the climate. From this point is seen the Government House: the edifice is a noble one, and particularly well adapted in its plan and interior arrangements to the climate. The external view is grand and imposing, and it is a fit and proper residence for the supreme ruler of our Indian possessions. Its two entrances or gateways are shown, and the line of houses, inhabited by Europeans, in Esplanade Row, in front of which is the Auchterlony Monument.
The long line of vessels so closely moored off the bank, are boats, called Budjerows; they are commanded by a native called a Sarhang or Mānghī, and carry 12, 14, 16, or 18 oars, and are generally used by persons going to the upper provinces.