1

ral individuals in this walk, have, of late years, adorned our philosophical Journals, and conferred on their authors a just and well merited portion of public approbation; but nothing comparable, in the general plan, to the systematic arrangement and scientific exposition of the copious and well defiued mass of materials, now ushered into the

INDIA.

sure in characterizing the work alluded to, in the highest terms of praise. Copies of the performance have been received at the India House; and we have inspected them, with some care, but not at leisure sufficient to venture an opinion on the merits of the book. We conceive, however, that the mere action of arrangement, and description of the articles, is no small service to science; and that much new and valuable information must be comprized in such a laborions undertaking. The history and application of articles attached to the Materia Medica, of the processes they undergo, and their uses in different states, interests European practitioners, no less than those of the faculty who may be called to practice in India, more particularly.

The following article is re-printed from
an ludian Journal, which has taken plea-world by Doctor Aiustie of Madras, had hi-
ever sources of knowledge in Medical prac-
therto made its appearance in India.--What-
tice or the Materia Medica were accessible-
either in the MSS. Volumes, Oral traditions,
Hindu Vaidayas-Mussulman, or Persian
or practical experience of the best informed
Doctors; they were resorted to by the Au-
thor with eager and animated research;
their various judgements and opinions were
impartially weighed, and the most consis-
tent and satisfactory conclusions, most of
them verified by his own experiments and
observation, were selected to illustrate the
Articles treated of. Near two Decades of
our fleeting years have passed over the
Doctor's head while engaged in this impor-
tant arduous pursuit the completion of
which has now been successfully accom-
plished.

The work is modestly enough entitled
Materia Medica and Agriculturists
Nomenclature

Foreign Literary Gazette.

The application of the ingenious in their several arts and trades, may afford valuable hints to our manufacturers. On the whole, we recommend the naturalization of this work, or of its principal contents among us :—but, at the same time, repeat our notice of the imperfect manner in which we have hitherto been able to examine it.

of Lower Hindostun :

though it embraces the Medical Substances and practices of a much wider range.

The collection into one body of the scattered facts, that are to be found in the writings and traditional practice of creditable Hindoo, and Mussulman Physicians for ages past, relative to the subjects comprehended under this title, cannot fail to form a Store-house of valuable materials, at all times of ready reference, and very often, of useful application in the pursuits both of professional men, and others, who are anxious to obtain a more enlarged acquaintance with the products and arts of this most anciently civilized portion of the Globe.

1

To the Botanical tourist, as well as to those interested in the commercial and agricultural prosperity of our Indian territories, it will form a most instructive Vade Mecum, in indicating topics of much curio sity, as well as sterling utility: frequently furuishing points of comparison-and thence suggesting modes of improvement most probably destined to augment the comforts, and promote the happiness of distant countries, and of ages yet unborn. In a work so generally replete with va

MATERIA MEDICA OF HINDUSTAN.

The circumscribed and indefinitive degree of knowledge hitherto acquired by Europeaus relative to the natural history and medicinal qualities inherent in the Vegetable productions of India, has for a long time formed a subject of regret, and excited among the literary world in general, and the medical tribe in particular, a laudable curiosity for the possession of more accurate ideas in this extensive and unexplored field; accordingly, from time to time various objects under the head of Desiderata, have been propounded for research and elucidation, and as tasks peculiarly incumbent on the medical faculty to undertake. The insulated labours of seve-luable matter, we shall only briefly advert VOL. II. Lit. Pan. New Series. Aug. 1.

2 E

Owing to some mismanagement, the palisadoes of the Arena were imperfect, in consequence of which, several tygers burst through them, and got among the crowd, but fortunately they did no further damage than scratching a few individuals.

Commercial Prosperity: Money scarce.

Jan. 7, 1815-The aggregate value, at prime cost, of goods shipped for England at the port Calcutta since August last, is estimated at nearly one crore and thirty lacs of rupees. It is, therefore, not extrapre-ordinary, that an unprecedented scarcity of cash should be felt, and that the difficul ties of mercantile establishments should have accumulated to an extreme degre These may be judged of from the following particulars relative to the existing state of money transactions. Company's Paper→ 14 per cent. discount; Private Bilis scarcely possible to be discounted, from the want di means, at 2 to 3 per cent. per month; Cash on deposit of Company's Paper, i to 14 per cent. per month, &c.

On the march to Lucknow, great cautions were taken to baffle the attempt of the thieves who have hitherto invariably derived large booty from visitors of rank to that metropolis. We have not heard whether the precautions were completely successful, and still expect to hear of some losses, as these professional Gentlemen deem it a point of honour to allow no persons of distinction to pass to the Court of Lucknow without paying contribution. In this manner, they may be said to participate with the Nawab in the pleasure derived from the arrival and reception of strangers. The young ladies, the daughters of Lord Lake, on his first visit, were completely plundered of wearing apparel and the whole paraphernalia of their toilets; and few who have any thing of vaJue escape an assessment, proportioned to the extent of their means and their want of vigilant precaution.

The Doorga Pooja.

The annual Festival of the Doorg Pooja was celebrated lately with al the concomitants of tinsel, paint, glare and clamour commonly observed.

[This character of Lucknow merits observation, but Meerut is supposed to be the station most infested with thieves of any in We have heard it remarked by some, India, notwithstanding military patroles, that the splendor is less dazzling and the who wound, and even kill these wretches. expence less profuse every year, and the Houses are so constantly annoyed by rob- this decay has been gradual and very per bers, that a hired guard of several match-ceptable. This may be just; for as the lock men, besides Chokeedars, is deemed great families multiply, we have men, indispensable to every gentleman's bunga- houses, and fewer wealthy inhabitants low:-not seldom in vain.] That there is no diminution of hospitality, and that the desire to please which is t us the greatest attractiou, is not dim nished, we boldly aver; and judging b the distance travelled and the hours t which the company remained, many the principal gentry sought, and probab found, something worth going to see.

Since their arrival in Rohilcund, the gentlemen in his Lordship's retinue have been often plundered by thieves, whose depredations during the long dark nights have been daring in the extreme. Besides trunks and small articles of value, the rob

bers have in some instances carried away furniture and different parts of the tent and equipage.

The Governor General was encamped on 15th November at Kashepoor, on the route to Hurdwar. We are happy to say that the health of the Countess of Loudoun, who had been indisposed was completely re-established.

CALCUTTA.

Extensive Fire.

A fire recently broke out at the Dhur motollah, at the back of M. Le Frands stables, Calcutta, which burut till the neighbouring houses, 500 in number, were consumed.

COMMERCE.

A New Insurance Society is established in this city, denominated the "Globe Iusurance Office;" it commences operations m favour of the commercial world, on Ja. uary 1, 1815,

|

The great novelty was the performance of divers feats by a Kashmeerian youth and with a swo d and scabbard, turns. who exhibited with two drawn sword. round to the measured cadence of a tab The best description we can give of i. adroituess will be, to say, that he effects. all, while in motion, without the le giddiness, which an expert man we probably attempt while standing s He continued his gyrations for many nutes, and the form of his dress, the ma ments of his arms, and the noise, all com bined to persuade many who were perb... giddy at the sight, that he turned wi uncommon velocity: the fact however, that he did not revolve more than 50 time in a minute.

in weight. In the first place, wheresoever they fell a great dust rose from the ground, and after the dust subsided, a heap of dust (Chakri) was formed, and in that dust (Chakri) were found the stones, a piece of one of which is enclosed in this letter as a specimen. The particulars follow below:

In the district of Lank, seven stones were found.

In the district of Bhaweri dependant on Begum Sumroo, four.

In the district of Chal, belonging to the Pergunnah of Shawli, three. At Kabout, belonging to the Pergunnah of Shawlif, five. In all, nineteen stones were found.

The cause of this may be, that in the course of working (or of changes on) the ground, air being extricated, may have entered into combination and come near elemental fire, and from this fire received a portion of heat, that then it may have united with brimstone and Terrene salt, as for instance, saltpetre, when the mixture from some cause being ignited, the fire bestows its own property on the mass, and the stones which may have been above it are blown up into the air. God knows the truth. The fact being very surprising, I have sent you information of it.

MISCELLANIES.

SIR.

be every

Method of long preserving Plaintains. To the Editor. Considering it to man's duty to communicate any little knowledge that he may have learnt, which can add to the comforts of life, I send some instructions for preserving Plantains, which will, I hope, prove useful to numbers going

from Lahore, in repairing his late losses, I saw that it was requisite to do something to save this little band of heroes, and being greatly irritated at the failures of the storming party, he turned to an officer standing by him, and said, "By God, I will take that fort, or die before it." He then gave some orders, and again addressing himself to Brigade Major, said "Now Sir, I am at your service," after this he went ou most gallantly waving his hat and cheering the men until he was shot through the heart, and did not utter one syllable.

and was actively engaged in collecting recruits from all quarters. He has thrown into confinement, an Astrologer of the name of Dulput Rae, who had predicted that the most complete success would attend his expedition.

Dulput Rae the astrologer, was released on the payment of 1500 rupees. A daily allowance of two rupees was bestowed on him, and he was attached to the Court of Judicature. Here, where divination is so often necessary, his talents may be advantageously employed; and clients consulting him may often avoid loss from the glorious uncertainty of the law. A fitter appointment was never before made in an Indian Court of Justice.

Difference of fees to the Priest, on occasion
of Marriage of Maid or Widow.
A Naeb Cazy told me, that when he
married any of the poorer class, he always
got as much as he could eat of the best
dish at the bridal feast, and frequently a
plateful was sent home to his family; and
he also got from four annas to one rupee
four annas in money; but if the bride had
been married before, beside the food, he
received a fixed fee of two rupees. Upon
my asking the cause of this difference, the
Naeb replied, cultivated ground was always
assessed higher than uncultivated.

I am &c.

...

Oude, May 1814. N. R. Particulars of some parts of the Country, and Places included in the MILITARY OPERATIONS IN NEPAUL. THE present article is not intended to relate any of the. military exploits, but, merely to convey some notion of the difficulties which oppose, at every step, the progress of the British troops in their expedi-was found impossible to make the smallest In penetrating towards Ramgurh, it tion into that country. To overcome the natural obstacles of the localities, is no small praise, independent of the necessary exercise of military prowess, and skill.

progress with the Ordnance, without the assistance of the Pioneers in cutting the road for each day's march. The first position occupied was a range of heights to the west of that in which Ramgurh is situated. But it was soon perceived that the place was absolutely inaccessible on that side, and accordingly on Nov. 19th, the detachment made a circuitous detour to the range of heights, fronting the east side of the defences of the enemy. The obstacles which the nature of the ground opposed to this movement, are described as exceeding all that had hitherto presented. After a toilsome march of 7 or 8 miles up and down steep acclivities, a pass of two miles of continual ascent, and so narrow as

The following is interesting, from the picture it presents of the ardour of a la*mented officer.

The officer who writes this account, says, he "was near him, and that he wished to speak, but the wo ds died on his ips. By this time, the ladders were brought up, and found too short by many yards, when Major Ludlow on whom the command dethroughout, very discreetly sounded the volved, and who had distinguished himself retreat, and returned to camp.

DEATH OF GEN. GILLESPIE.

Extract of a Letter from Poonah.-After the retreat had been sounded a second time, Major Ludlow took post in some ruined huts immediately under the fort wall, and considerable apprehensions were felt for him and his party, who were likely to be cut off. At this instant, the General

On entering the Fort of Kalunga, after it was abandoned by the Nepaulese, our people found minety-five slain; and many wounded remaining behind, depending on the humanity of the Company's officers. So fully is this confidence established, that a man who had lost part of his lower jaw by a shot, came down the breach to the batteries and camp in search of surgical aid. In return, the Goorkhas have restored the slain which fell into their hands, without stripping or maltreating them, contrary to their usual custom. On one occasion Col. Ochterlony of the 27th, received fortyfive dead bodies from the Goorkhas.

The operations against Rumgarh had not commenced; this fort is calculated to be nearly 5000 feet above the level of the 12 or 13 miles. This important place is Sutluj, from the bank of which it is distant the key to the table land towards the North-west.