The cow is an animal held sacred among the Hindoos, and the dung is used in the temples and other places as a species of holy ointment.
The Ganges empties itself into the bay of Bengal by two large channels, and by a number of smaller size.
On the river Hoogly or western channel stands Calcutta, the capital of British India, 100 miles from the sea. The length of the town is about six miles, extending along the banks of the river. As you approach Calcutta from the sea, it has the appearance of a vast and beautifully arranged city. Tall and elegant houses ornamented with spacious pillars and verandas meet the eye along the whole length of the town, and completely shutting out from view the "Black Town," or the native town of Calcutta, which is composed of low dirty huts, made of earth baked in the sun, placed along the narrow and crooked streets. Occasionally, however, a larger one is seen which denotes the residence of some wealthy native, yet this like all others is entirely devoid of neatness.
We employed natives to discharge our cargo as they could better endure the sun's heat.
Taking on a cargo of rice, we received orders to sail for Canton, and proceeded down the river, and passed Tiger island, so called, from the great abundance of tigers which are found there.
They occasionally swim from the island to the main land, which is about two miles distant.
A few years since a fire swept over the island and almost entirely drove them from it. Many were killed by the flames, and in the general confusion many were drowned, while vast numbers were killed by the ships' crews, that were stationed around.
The ninth day after our departure the pilot left us and resumed his station on the shoals to await the next ship that might require his services.
The weather proved unfavorable indeed, and obliged us to beat about, making but little progress.
Taking a fine breeze and a leading wind, we were soon in the straits of Malacca, which separate the peninsular of Malacca from the island of Sumatra. Those straits are infested with pirates of a most desperate character, seizing upon every opportunity for plundering vessels, and oftentimes are not satiated until all of the crew have fallen victims to their murderous cruelty.