Page:The American Cyclopædia (1879) Volume III.djvu/578

 572 CALCUTTA low lands of the Sunderbunds can be detected. Nearing the city, which extends about 6 in. along the river and has an average breadth of about 2 m., the botanical gardens are perceived on the W. bank, stocked with many varieties of indigenous and exotic plants, and the Bish- op's college, a handsome Gothic edifice erected under the auspices of the society for the propa- gation of the gospel in foreign parts. The beau- tiful suburb known as Garden Reach, opposite the river anchorage, occupies the E. shore, with country seats surrounded by elegant gardens. Here stands the vast palace of the dethroned king of Oude, where he resides as a pensioned prisoner of state, receiving from the British authorities an annual income of 120,000. Its architecture is gorgeous and much admired. North of this is the Maidan or plain, a level open space not quite 2 m. long, 1| m. wide at its southern, and about f m. at its northern extremity. In the Maidan, nearly equidistant between these boundaries, and not far from the river, is Fort William, the citadel of Cal- cutta. The works are low and octagonal in outline, three sides facing the Hoogly. The fortress mounts 619 guns. A garrison of 10,- 000 troops would be requisite to defend it, and even 15,000 can be accommodated within the walls. Its heaviest batteries are on the river front. That portion of the Maidan lying be- tween the fort and the main body of the city is known as the Esplanade. Beyond the Mai- dan to the northward rises the " city of pal- aces," as Calcutta has frequently been called; and viewed from the river the appearance of the city is so magnificent as to justify the ap- pellation. A closer examination, however, casts a doubt upon its correctness. Opposite the town, the river varies in width from a quarter to three fourths of a mile, and affords anchorage for ships of 1,500 tons burden, in six or seven fathoms of water. Owing to the hurricanes which sometimes prevail, the road- stead is not a very safe one ; and it is usual to moor vessels to the shore, as a precautionary measure. The water front is bordered by a quay 2 m. long, called the Strand, at a level of 40 ft. above low-water mark, with ghauts or landing places at intervals along it. Calcutta is situated on level land, and is divided into a northern or native and a southern or Euro- pean district. In the quarter inhabited by the native population the streets are narrow and unpaved, with lofty houses loopholed in the upper stories, and occupied as shops or stores on the ground floor. There is much poverty and filth in many localities. The section of the city chiefly inhabited by Europeans is called Chowringee. The European houses are built of brick covered with stucco, are generally de- tached from one another, and have spacious verandas. There are several extensive squares in this quarter, each of which encloses a tank near the middle, with a planted walk sur- rounding it. A street 60 ft. in width inter- sects the city parallel to its greatest length. The Strand extends southward along the river border of the Maidan, here forming the favor- ite pleasure drive of the European residents and wealthy natives. The northern portion of the Esplanade contains the government buildings, fronting a park called the Eden gar- dens/ Of these, the viceroy's palace, known as the government house, is the finest edifice in Calcutta. It stands in a conspicuous local- ity, is of massive proportions, and consists of a spacious central structure surrounded with four great wings and surmounted by a magnifi- cent dome. The other government offices, the town hall and the post office, which is built on the site of the memorable black hole, are also in the Esplanade, which is ornamented with an equestrian statue of Lord Ilardinge. The monument of David Ochterlony, near the N. E. corner of the Maidan, is a lofty tower, commanding a view of the city and all the surrounding country. For the most part, the residences of the foreign merchants and offi- cials are E. of the Maidan, the eastern boun- dary of which is the Chowringee road. Many of these dwellings are palatial, some of the most elegant being in a range on a line with the government house called Esplanade row. In addition to those already mentioned, the principal buildings comprise the new Anglican cathedral, the mint, the numerous Christian churches, Protestant, Roman Catholic, and one Greek and one Armenian, the Jewish syna- gogue, the Mohammedan mosques, and the Hindoo temples. The Sikhs have a place of worship, as also have the Chinese. There are many educational institutions, secular and re- ligious, the university of Calcutta being the most important of the former. It was origi- nally the college of Fort William, and was de- signed for the instruction of candidates for the civil service of the East India company; its purposes are now more general, although its functions are limited to holding examinations and granting degrees. More than 800 students matriculated in 1807. Its lowest degree is be- lieved to indicate acquirements equal to those of the graduate of a European university. The Madrussa or Mohammedan college, the Hindoo college, the Sanskrit college, and the Anglo- Indian college are establishments also under government control. The Martiniere is an in- stitution for the education of the poor of both sexes, founded under the will of Gen. Claude Martin, who amassed great wealth in the East. The Bishop's college, established in 1819 by Bishop Middleton, trains students in the doc- trines of the church of England, for missionary work in India. Colleges are also supported by the established church, the Free church of Scotland, and the Jesuits. There are numer- ous hospitals, a public library, a theatre, and many literary and scientific institutions ; among the latter the Asiatic society, formed in 1784, through the efforts of Sir William Jones, stands preeminent. The medical college is distin- guished for the ability and learning of its fac-