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Calcutta, April 20, 1840. ,—The weather has till yesterday been quite delightful these last three weeks. I really am not joking, but the storms, which are unpleasant at sea, save all our lives on shore, and I could not have believed that Bengal could have been so cool at any time of year. On Monday and Tuesday I had a good thick shawl to go out in. I am afraid it is hotting up again now, but in the meanwhile we have got over a great bit of the worst time of year without any suffering.

All our gentlemen, who have been quartered up the country the last few years, are astonished at the pleasant weather compared to the hot winds. I look upon it as another sign that we are certainly to go home next year, and that India means to leave a favourable impression.

George went yesterday on his way here to give the prizes at the Medical College, and he did. Five of the students received their diplomas to practise as surgeons, &c., and when he gave them