While studying to supply the several desiderata left unnoticed by those gentlemen who have written on subjects relating to India, I felt it incumbent on me, both from a sense of delicacy, and from the conviction that they had already passed through more able hands, to avoid whatever topics had been abstractedly considered. Therefore, such of my readers as may seek for particular information regarding the religious tenets of the several sects, the languages of the East, the literature, &c., &c., should consult those eminent authors to whom the world is so much indebted. The whole of their works may be obtained by application to Messrs. Black, Parry, and Kingsbury, of Leadenhall Street, London, from whose ample catalogue I beg leave to cull the following, as being particularly applicable to the use of students laudably intent on obtaining the most valuable sources of oriental learning.
The works of Doctor Gilchrist stand pre-eminent, and, while they do honor to himself, are highly creditable to the discrimination and liberality of the East India Company, under whom he held a Professorship. In the purchase of the few volumes necessary towards the equipment of a gentleman proceeding to India, the whole of Doctor Gilchrist’s philological publications ought to be included. Dr. Wilkin’s edition of Richardson’s Persian Dictionary is equally indispensable to writers, who may be desirous to attain a proficiency in the Persian language, by which they become eligible for officers of the highest rank: but, to cadets, who do not wish to go to the expence of two volumes, quarto, the Abridgement, by Mr. Hopkins, in one volume, royal octavo, is particularly recommended. Dr. Wilkins’s Sanskrita Grammar will also be found eminently serviceable; while his translation of the Heetopades will afford much insight into the narratory idiom of the Hindus. Richardson’s Arabic Grammar, as also Sir W. Jones’s Persian Grammar, or Gladwin’s Persian Moonshee, and his Gulistan of Sady, should not be omitted. Sir Wm. Ouseley’s Essay towards facilitating the reading of Persian Manuscripts, will prove a substantial aid. Balfour’s Forms of Herkern, in Arabic and English, should be provided; together with Rousseau’s Dictionary of Mahomedan Law Terms. Mr. Colebrooke’s Digest Of Hindu Law, is indispensable; and I strongly recommend his Treatise on the Husbandry and Internal Commerce of Bengal. Sale’s Koran will supply the fullest information regarding the fundamental principles of the Mahomedan religion; and Reynell’s Memoirs, united with his Atlas, and Map, or Arrowsmith’s Map of India, on a larger scale, will prove the best guides in acquiring the geography, together with many local matters extremely interesting to persons travelling in any part of our territory, but especially in Bengal. The Ayeen Akbekry will shew what Hindostan was under the government of Akbar; and the Asiatic Researches, and Asiatic Annual Register, will be found to display an immense variety of subjects connected with natural history, &c. The Tour made, under the auspices of Marquis Wellesley, by Doctor Francis Buchanan, through the Mysore, Canara, and Malabar Districts, may be considered one of the most valuable productions of the age; inasmuch as it details, with philosophic consideration, and, in most instances, with alchemic precision, a variety of matters relating to the climate, the soil, and those various articles of produce, as well as the mode of manufacture, which cannot fail to prove highly interesting to those either engaged in mercantile speculations, or who thirst after useful knowledge. This work is published by Messrs. Black, Parry, and Kingsbury.
With respect to those regulations published for the control, or guidance, of persons proceeding to, or residing in, India, fluctuations must at times take place. Messrs. Black, Parry, and Kingsbury, publish yearly a Directory, under the immediate authority of the Court of Directors, the latest edition of which ought to be purchased in the first instance.
Soliciting my readers’ indulgence regarding any typographical errors, which may, notwithstanding the greatest attention in correcting for the press, occasionally appear, and anxiously hoping that he may at least be amused, if not instructed, by the perusal of my pages, I consign them to the consideration of a discriminating, just, and liberal public; trusting that my motives, at least, will be rewarded by its approbation.
THOMAS WILLIAMSON.
London, January 1, 1810.
CONTENTS
OF
VOL. I.
| PAGES | |||
| Instructions to Persons proceeding to India regarding articles to be provided, and precautions to be adopted | [1] | to | 30 |
| Matters relating to embarking, and the usual customs on board-ship, sea-sickness, fishing at sea | [31] | . | 60 |
| Foreign settlements, Brazils, crossing the Line | [61] | . | 68 |
| Religious character of sailors, funerals at sea, Cape of Good Hope | [69] | . | 88 |
| Of St. Helena | [89] | . | 109 |
| Island of Johanna, and the Comoro Cluster | [110] | . | 119 |
| Whale-fishery in the Mozambique Channel | [120] | . | 123 |
| White-squalls, passage round Ceylon, and up the Coromandel coast | [124] | . | 126 |
| Madras, masoolah-boats, debashes, bad meats, localities | [127] | . | 138 |
| General track up the Bay, cautions necessary to be adopted by pilot-schooners at the Sand-heads | [139] | . | 141 |
| General appearance of the coast, modes of getting up from the ship to Calcutta | [142] | . | 154 |
| Coins and weights in use, land measure | [155] | . | 160 |
| Taverns to be avoided, instructions and cautions regarding servants, women, &c. | [161] | . | 172 |
| Estimate of primary and current expences | [173] | . | 175 |
| Acquirement of the language, with advice regarding conduct in general | [176] | . | 178 |
| Reasons for retaining a number of servants, religious scruples | [179] | . | 185 |
| Classification of servants | [186] | . | 188 |
| The Banian, and Darogah | [188] | . | 192 |
| The Moonshy, the Jemmadar, the Chobe-dar, the Soontah-burdar, the Kansamah, the Sircar, the Cranny, specimen of style | [191] | . | 212 |
| The Khedmutgar, The Mosaulchy, the Hookah-burdar, the Hookah, the Kaleaun, the Goorgoory, and the Neriaul | [212] | . | 228 |
| Modes of carrying water, the Bheesty, Tatties | [229] | . | 236 |
| The Babachy, the Durzy, the Doby, the Mohout, the Mate, and the Surwan | [236] | . | 253 |
| The Syce, the Grass-cutter, the Mauly, mode of drawing water | [254] | . | 266 |
| The Aub-dar, the Compadore, the Hirkarah, the Duftoree, the Fraush, the Mater, the Dooreah, mode of keeping and feeding dogs | [267] | . | 280 |
| The Kalashy, the Manjy, the Goleeah, and the Dandy | [281] | . | 287 |
| The Berrairah, description of sheep, and mode of fattening | [288] | . | 293 |
| The Chokey-dar, curious system of vigilance in the upper provinces, expert thieves | [294] | . | 298 |
| The Durwan, the Cahar, insolence of the Ooreah bearers | [298] | . | 310 |
| Hints regarding the lading of cattle | [310] | . | 311 |
| Umbrellas, punkahs, liveries | [312] | . | 313 |
| The mahanah-palanquin, the boçhah, the taum-jaung, the bangy | [313] | . | 324 |
| The r’hunt, the g’horry-waun, fine bullocks, the g’horry, the hackery | [325] | . | 333 |
| Cautions against engaging European servants, either male or female | [333] | . | 336 |
| The Portugueze Ayah, ridiculously vain of their genealogies | [337] | . | 339 |
| The Hindostanee Ayah | [340] | . | 341 |
| The Dhye, domestic secrets | [341] | . | 346 |
| Domestic manners and customs of the natives, with details of the state of society among them | [347] | . | 408 |
| Flying kites, great dexterity, natives peculiarly tenacious of privacy in their dwellings | [408] | . | 411 |
| European polygamy, characters of women generally domiciliated by Europeans, ordinary expences | [412] | . | 416 |
| Dress and ornaments of a Hindostanee lady | [417] | . | 431 |
| Scented oils, mode of extracting the attar of roses, with calculation of expences | [431] | . | 441 |
| Unctions in general use, bathing, alligators | [442] | . | 448 |
| Invitations, visiting, female nomenclature, loud music | [449] | . | 451 |
| Reasons for Europeans retaining native women, and impediments in the way of marriage | [451] | . | 458 |
| Orphan Institution | [459] | . | 468 |
| Vaccination in Bengal, mode of inoculating in use among the Brahmans, and among the Pahariahs, making capons | [469] | . | 475 |
| The Native Hospital at Calcutta | [479] | . | 482 |
| Style of building among the natives, mode of thatching, domestic furniture, the beetle-leaf and plant | [483] | . | 498 |
| Cheroots, women smokers, imitations of native manners, dress, &c., and vice versâ | [499] | . | 502 |
| Mirza Alu Taaleb Khan, his ingratitude and vanity, comparison of his poetry with that of Hafiz and Yuqueen | [503] | . | 509 |
| Precautions against fire, heavy rains, protection against them | [509] | . | 514 |
| Bungalows, bricklayers, carpenter and smith, houses smeared with cow-dung, mindy applied to hands and feet | [514] | . | 520 |