ADAMS, Brev. maj. W. S. 28th N.I. to be maj. 3rd Eur. regt. fr. Nov. 15. ANDERSON, Lieut. C. G. 1st N.I. to be 15th lieut. 3rd Eur. regt. fr. Nov. 15. ANDERSON, Ens. H. T. 23rd L.I. to be lieut. fr. Nov. 15, v. Bowles, prom. ARMSTRONG, Lieut. W. A. 1st Eur. regt. fus. to be 16th lieut. 3rd Eur. regt. fr. Nov. 15. ATKINS, Lieut. F. W. Mc L. 20th N.I. qual. as interp. in Mahratta, Nov. 26. BAIGRIE, Ens. R. 8th N.I. to be 2nd ens. 3rd Eur. regt. fr. Nov. 15. BAINBRIDGE, Lieut. H. C. 24th N.I. qual. as interp. in Hind. BANNERMAN, Ens. P. W. 10th N.I. to rem. att. to 3rd N.I.; qual. as interp. in Hind. Nov. 26. BARNES, Ens. J. 1st N.I. to be 4th ens. 3rd Eur. regt. fr. Nov. 15. BARTON, Ens. L. C. 1st N.I. to be lieut. fr. Nov. 15, v. Anderson, transferred. BELL, Ens. A. 3rd N.I. to be lieut. fr. Nov. 15, v. Shaw, trans. BLAIR, Ens. T. H. 19th N.I. to be lieut. fr. Nov. 15, v. Henry, transferred. BOLTON, Ens. H. F. 12th N.I. to be lieut. fr. Nov. 15, v. Daun, transferred. BOULTON, Ens. C. F. 27th N.I. qual. as interp. in Mahratta, Nov. 26. BOWLES, Lieut. J. E. 23rd L.I. to be capt. fr. Nov. 15 v. Stock, transferred. BOWLES, Ens. A. A. L. 2nd Eur. L.I. qual. as interp. in Guzerattee, Nov. 26. BOWEN, Lieut. W. T. 16th N.I. qual. as interp. in Hind. Nov. 26. BRITTEN, Ens. T. E. 1st. Eur. regt. fus. to be 6th ens. 3rd Eur. regt. f. Nov. 15. BRUCE, Ens. M. R. 23rd L.I. to be lieut. fr. Nov. 15 v. Whitehill, prom. BUCHANAN, Lieut. W. 29th N.I. to be 18th lieut. 3rd Eur. regt. fr. Nov. BURNES, 2nd Lieut. G. J. H. right wing 1st Eur. regt. to be 1st lieut. fr. Nov. 15 v. Armstrong, transferred. CAMPBELL, Lieut. E. 28th N.I. to be 11th capt. 3rd Eur. regt. to rank fr. Nov. 15. CLAY, Ens. C. H. 21st N.I. to be lieut. fr. N. 15 v. Merewether transferred. ELEMENTS, Ens. J. 3rd N.I. to be lieut. fr. Nov. 15 v. Dyett, transferred. CLOSE, Ens. H. 27th N.I. to be lieut. fr. Nov. 15 v. Laing, prom. COLES, Ens. T. G. 15th N.I. to be lieut. fr. Nov. 15, v. Macdonald, transferred. COLEY, Lieut. J. C. 10th N.I. to be capt. fr. Nov. 15, v. Morton, prom. COLLIER, Lieut. C. A. 26th. N.I. qual. as interp. in Mahratta, Nov. 26. CRACKLOW, Lieut. col. H. to be lieut. col. comdt. on the augmentation, to be col. comdt. 3rd. Eur. regt. from Nov. 15. CRAWFORD, Capt. A. 3rd N.I. to be 6th capt. 3rd Eur. regt. fr. Nov. 15. CUMMING, Ens. W. G. G. 17th N.I. qual. as interp. in Guzerattee, Nov. 26; to be lieut fr. Nov. 15, v. Hodgson, transferred. DAUN, Lieut. G. 12th N.I. to be 1st lieut. 3rd. Eur. regt. fr. Nov. 15. DAVIDSON, Ens. F. C. to join his regt. DAVIS, Ens. A. P. 22nd N.I. to be 1st. ens. 3rd Eur. reg. fr. Nov. 15. DAVIS, Ens. L. M. 26th N.I. to be lieut. fr. Nov. v. Thorp, transferred.: DICKINSON, Ens. W. 8th N.I. qual. as interp. in Hind. Nov. 26. DOBREE, Ens. J. R. P. 10th. N.I. to be lieut. fr. Nov. 15, v. Schneider, transferred. DODD, Ens. 8th N.I. to rec. ch. of the detach. 1st co. sappers and miners, proc. to Bombay, and accompany the same to Poona. DOUGLAS, Ens. Hon. E. W. 17th N.I. to be lieut. fr. Nov. 15, v. Pogson, prom. DUNCAN, Ens. J. A. McN. 28th N.I. to be lieut. fr. Nov. 15, v. Campbell, transferred. DYETT, Lieut. W.-N. 3rd N.I. to be 6th lieut. 3rd Eur. regt. fr. Nov. 15. ETHERIDGE, Lieut. A. T. 23rd L.I. to be 3rd lieut. 3rd Eur. regt. fr. Nov. 15. EVANS, Lieut. J. L. 16th N.I. to be capt. fr. Nov. 15, v. Landon, transferred. FERGUSSON, Ens. A. 2nd Eur. L.I. to be lieut. fr. Nov. 15, v. Tyache, prom. FINCH, Lieut. A. U. H. Eng. att. to do du. with corps sap. and min. at Poona to join Dec. 6. FORREST, Lieut. J. O. B. 12th N.I. to be 5th lieut. 3rd Eur. regt. fr. Nov. 15. FRASER, Eus. T. D. 15th N.I. to be lieut. fr. Nov. 15, v. Kane, prom. GOODFELLOW, Lieut. W. W. sap. and min. rep. fit for du. to join hd. qu. at Poona. GRANT, Lieut. C. F. 3rd N.I. to be capt. fr. Nov. 15, v. Crawford, transferred. GREEN, Lieut. F. G. 7th N.I. to be capt. fr. Nov. 15, v. Stockley, transferred. GRIFFITH, Ens. C. J. 17th N.I. to be lieut. fr. Nov. 15, v. Murray, transferred. GRIMES, Capt. G. R. 2nd N.I. to be maj. fr. Nov. 15, v. Jacób, prom. HAILES, Lieut. J. C. H., H. art. qual. as interp. in Hindustani. HALL, 2nd lieut. J. D. 4th N.I. to be 1st lieut. fr. Nov. 15. v. Ryder, transferred. HARDING, Lieut. G. W. 2nd N.I. to be capt. fr. Nov. 15, v. Grimes, prom. HARDY, 2nd Lieut. to vet. ch. of horses of battery at Nusseerabab. HAWKINS, Ens. C. Al. 23rd L.I. to be lieut. fr. Nov. 15, v. Etheridge, transferred. HENRY, Lieut. J. W. 19th N.Is to be 9th lieut. 3rd Eur. regt. fr. Nov. 15. HEATHCOTE, Ens. C. T. 12th N.I. qual. as interp. in Mahratta. HOBART, Ens. Hon. W. A. to be 19th lieut. 3rd Eur. regt. to rank fr. Nov. 15. HODGKINSON, Lieut. C. 28th N.I. to be capt. fr. Nov. 15, v. Ramsay, transferred. HODGSON, Lieut. H. B. 17th N.I. to be 12th capt. 3rd Eur. regt. to rank fr. Nov. 15. HOLLAND, Ens. T. J. 13th N.I. qual. as interp, in Mahratta. HOSSACK, Lieut. G. art. fr. 4th batt. to 2nd batt. to com the 2nd co. with No. 5 lt. field batt. to join. HUME, Maj. J. G. 10th N.I. to be lieut. col. on the augmentation, to be lieut. col. 3rd Eur. regt. fr. Nov. 15. INNES, Ens. G. 22nd N.I. qual. as interp. in Hind. Nov. 26.3 JACOB, Maj. G. Le G. 2nd N.I. to be lieut. col. 3rd Eur. regt. fr. Nov. 15. JOHNSTONE, Lieut. N. M. 1st N.I. to be capt. fr. Nov. 15, v. Price, transferred. KANE, Lieut. F. A. C. 15th N.I. to be capt. fr. Nov. 15, v. Rose, transferred. KENNEDY, Cornet R. C. 2nd L.C. qual. as interp. in Gazerattee. KERR, Ens. W. A. 24th N.I. qual. as interp. in Hind. Nov. 26. KNIGHT, Ens. G. 16th N.I. to be lieut. from Nov. 15, v. Miles, transferred, qual. as interp. in Hind. Nov. 26. LAING, Lieut. J. 27th N.I. to be capt. fr. Nov. 15, v. Liddell, transferred. LANDON, Brev. Maj. 16th N.I. to be 2nd capt. 3rd Eur. regt. fr. Nov. 15. LAWRENCE, Ens. T. H. P. 12th N.I. to be lieut. fr. Nov. 15, v. Forrest, transferred. LEATHES, Ens. G. G. 18th N.I. to be 8th ens. 3rd Eur. regt. fr. Nov. 15. LEWIS, Ens. C. M. 1st N.I. to be lieut. fr. Nov. 15, v. Johnstone, prom. LIDDELL, Brev. maj. J. 27th N.I. to be maj. 3rd Eur. regt. fr. Nov. 15. LYE, Lieut. G. L. 28th N.I. to be capt. fr. Nov. 15, v. Adams, transferred. MACDONALD, Lieut. J. A. M. 15th N.I. to be 8th lieut. 3rd Eur. regt. fr. Nov. 15. MALCOLM, Lieut. R. P. Eng., att. to do du. with corps sap. and min. at Poona, to join Dec. 6. MALDEN, 2nd Lieut. W. H.art. qual. as interp. in Hind. Nov. 26. MASON, Ens. W. H. 3rd N.I. to be lieut. fr. Nov. 15, v. Grant, prom. MAUGER, Capt. C. 17th N.I. to be 5th capt. 3rd Eur. regt. fr. Nov. 15. THE LONDON MAIL of November 8th arrived at Bombay December 8th (per Acbar). EXAMINATION OF SUBALTERN OFFICERS.-From the General Orders published in another column, it will be seen that the Commander-in-Chief has laid down the test of qualifications necessary for the command of a troop or company, in which an examination must be passed before any subaltern officer shall be in future considered eligible for such appointment. THE EX-AMEERS OF SCINDE.-The Englishman states that Government have offered the Ex-Ameers of Scinde to return and take up their residences at Hyderabad, provided they agree to do so permanently. SHIP BURNING.-The Bombay Times records another instance of an attempt at ship burning in the harbour. The British Queen, of Liverpool, laden with cotton, left the harbour of Bombay on the 16th November. Shortly after it was discovered that she was on fire. The flames were suppressed by the exertions of the officers, and the captain returned to the port. Five hours afterwards, the vessel was again on fire. The promptitude of the officers again saved the ship; three hundred bales of cotton were removed, and hot cinders found below them. The fire therefore was the work of an incendiary. We need not say the crew are lascars, or add that they will escape. MORTALITY IN BOMBAY.-The Bombay Gazette informs us, on the authority of a report from the Medical Board, that the deaths in that island during 1852 were 13,511. The proportion of mortality to inhabitants is about equal to that of London. The male deaths are to the female as 118 to 100. The greatest cause of mortality in Bombay is fever, which destroyed 5,847 persons. Then follow diarrhoea and dysentery, which slew nearly 3,000, then respiratory diseases (deaths 1,415), and lastly cholera (deaths 1,135). This, however, refers only to natives. Among Europeans, the number of deaths from disease of the alimentary organs are three times the deaths from fever. One-fifth of the deaths of European males spring from nervous disorders. LORD FALKLAND was at the presidency it was understood that he would leave India on the 28th Dec. LORD FREDERICK FITZCLARENCE was at Poona, where he daily manoeuvred the military camp which he has formed at the station. THE NEW MERCANTILE BANK of India, London, and China, which has been lately established in Bombay, held a meeting on the 30th Nov., when the report of the provincial committee was read, the deed of settlement approved of, and the directors and some of the officials of the new bank appointed. Mr. A. Anderson, formerly manager of the Commercial Bank, has been selected as London manager on a salary of 1,000l. MR. KIGHT, an aeronaut, made an ascent in Bombay on the afternoon of the 10th Dec., and had not since been heard of. Mr. Kight had about twelve months ago notified his determination of making an ascent, but failed to carry out his intention; the indignation which at that time was expressed, no doubt urged him to retrieve his reputation, and he went up on the above date, loudly cheered by the spectators, the balloon rising to a great height, so that it appeared a mere speck in the atmosphere. At about five o'clock the balloon was seen descending in the direction of Malabar Point, and the æronaut was observed to be throwing out ballast to check the rapidity of the descent, but it fell into the sea, about three miles distant from the land, descending as it approached the ocean with fearful velocity, into which it plunged with great force, and neither man or balloon have since been heard of, although no exertions that humanity could prompt have been spared to recover him. MILITARY. APPOINTMENTS, &c. ADAMS, Brev. maj. W. S. 28th N.I. to be maj. 3rd Eur. regt. fr. Nov. 15. ANDERSON, Lieut. C. G. 1st N.I. to be 15th lieut. 3rd Eur. regt. fr. Nov. 15. ANDERSON, Ens. H. T. 23rd L.I. to be lieut. fr. Nov. 15, v. Bowles, prom. ARMSTRONG, Lieut. W. A. 1st Eur. regt. fus. to be 16th lieut. 3rd Eur. regt. fr. Nov. 15. ATKINS, Lieut. F. W. Mc L. 20th N.I. qual. as interp. in Mahratta, Nov. 26. BAIGRIE, Ens. R. 8th N.I. to be 2nd ens. 3rd Eur. regt. fr. Nov. 15. BAINBRIDGE, Lieut. H. C. 24th N.I. qual. as interp. in Hind. BANNERMAN, Ens. P. W. 10th N.I. to rem. att. to 3rd N.I.; qual. as interp. in Hind. Nov. 26. BARNES, Ens. J. 1st N.I. to be 4th ens. 3rd Eur. regt. fr. Nov. 15. BARTON, Ens. L. C. 1st N.I. to be lieut. fr. Nov. 15, v. Anderson, transferred. BELL, Ens. A. 3rd N.I. to be lieut. fr. Nov. 15, v. Shaw, trans. BLAIR, Ens. T. H. 19th N.I. to be lieut. fr. Nov. 15, v. Henry, transferred. BOLTON, Ens. H. F. 12th N.I. to be lieut. fr. Nov. 15, v. Daun, transferred. BOULTON, Ens. C. F. 27th N.I. qual. as interp. in Mahratta, Nov. 26. BOWLES, Lieut. J. E. 23rd L.I. to be capt. fr. Nov. 15 v. Stock, transferred. BOWLES, Ens. A. A. L. 2nd Eur. L.I. qual. as interp. in Guzerattee, Nov. 26. BOWEN, Lieut. W. T. 16th N.I. qual. as interp. in Hind. Nov. 26. BRITTEN, Ens. T. E. 1st. Eur. regt. fus. to be 6th ens. 3rd Eur. regt. f. Nov. 15. BRUCE, Ens. M. R. 23rd L.I. to be lieut. fr. Nov. 15 v. Whitehill, prom. BUCHANAN, Lieut. W. 29th N.I. to be 18th lieut. 3rd Eur. regt. fr. Nov. BURNES, 2nd Lieut. G. J. H. right wing 1st Eur. regt. to be 1st lieut. fr. Nov. 15 v. Armstrong, transferred. CAMPBELL, Lieut. E. 28th N.I. to be 11th capt. 3rd Eur. regt. to rank fr. Nov. 15. CLAY, Ens. C. H. 21st N.I. to be lieut. fr. N. 15 v. Merewether transferred. CLEMENTS, Ens. J. 3rd N.I. to be lieut. fr. Nov. 15 v. Dyett, transferred. CLOSE, Ens. H. 27th N.I. to be lieut. fr. Nov. 15 v. Laing, prom. COLES, Ens. T. G. 15th N.I. to be lieut. fr. Nov. 15, v. Macdonald, transferred. COLEY, Lieut. J. C. 10th N.I. to be capt. fr. Nov. 15, v. Morton, prom. COLLIER, Lieut. C. A. 26th. N.I. qual. as interp. in Mahratta, Nov. 26. CRACKLOW, Lieut. col. H. to be lieut. col. comdt. on the augmentation, to be col. comdt. 3rd. Eur. regt. from Nov. 15. CRAWFORD, Capt. A. 3rd N.I. to be 6th capt. 3rd Eur. regt. fr. Nov. 15. CUMMING, Ens. W. G. G. 17th N.I. qual. as interp. in Guzerattee, Nov. 26; to be lieut fr. Nov. 15, v. Hodgson, transferred. DAUN, Lieut. G. 12th N.I. to be 1st lieut. 3rd. Eur. regt. fr. Nov. 15. DAVIDSON, Ens. F. C. to join his regt. DAVIS, Ens. A. P. 22nd N.I. to be 1st. ens. 3rd Eur. reg. fr. Nov. 15. DAVIS, Ens. L. M. 26th N.I. to be lieut. fr. Nov. v. Thorp, transferred. DICKINSON, Ens. W. 8th N.I. qual. as interp. in Hind. Nov. 26. DOBREE, Ens. J. R. P. 10th. N.I. to be lieut. fr. Nov. 15, v. Schneider, transferred. DODD, Ens. 8th N.I. to rec. ch. of the detach. 1st co. sappers and miners, proc. to Bombay, and accompany the same to Poona. DOUGLAS, Ens. Hon, E. W. 17th N.I. to be lieut. fr. Nov. 15, v. Pogson, prom. DUNCAN, Ens. J. A. McN. 28th N.I. to be lieut. fr. Nov. 15, v. Campbell, transferred. DYETT, Lieut. W.-N. 3rd N.I. to be 6th lieut. 3rd Eur. regt. fr. Nov. 15. ETHERIDGE, Lieut. A. T. 23rd L.I. to be 3rd lieut. 3rd Eur. regt. fr. Nov. 15. EVANS, Lieut. J. L. 16th N.I. to be capt. fr. Nov. 15, v. Landon, transferred. FERGUSSON, Ens. A. 2nd Eur. L.I. to be lieut. fr. Nov. 15, v. Tyache, prom. FINCH, Lieut. A. U. H. Eng. att. to do du. with corps sap. and min. at Poona to join Dec. 6. FORREST, Lieut. J. O. B. 12th N.I. to be 5th lieut. 3rd Eur. regt. fr. Nov. 15. FRASER, Eus. T. D. 15th N.I. to be licut. fr. Nov. 15, v. Kane, prom. GOODFELLOW, Lieut. W. W. sap. and min. rep. fit for du. to join hd. qu. at Poona. GRANT, Lieut. C. F. 3rd N.I. to be capt. fr. Nov. 15, v. Crawford, transferred. GREEN, Lieut. F. G. 7th N.I. to be capt. fr. Nov. 15, v. Stockley, transferred. GRIFFITH, Ens. C. J. 17th N.I. to be lieut. fr. Nov. 15, v. Murray, transferred. GRIMES, Capt. G. R. 2nd N.I. to be maj. fr. Nov. 15, v. Jacob, prom. HARDY, 2nd Lieut. to vet. ch. of horses of battery at Nusseerabab. HAWKINS, Ens. C. Al. 23rd L.I. to be lieut. fr. Nov. 15, v. Etheridge, transferred. HENRY, Lieut. J. W. 19th N.I. to be 9th lieut. 3rd Eur. regt. fr. Nov. 15. HEATHCOTE, Ens. C. T. 12th N.I. qual. as interp. in Mahratta. HOBART, Ens. Hon. W. A. to be 19th lieut. 3rd Eur. regt. to rank fr. Nov. 15. HODGKINSON, Lieut. C. 28th N.I. to be capt. fr. Nov. 15, v. Ramsay, transferred. HODGSON, Lieut. H. B. 17th N.I. to be 12th capt. 3rd Eur. regt. to rank fr. Nov. 15. HOLLAND, Ens. T. J. 13th N.I. qual. as interp. in Mahratta. HOSSACK, Lieut. G. art. fr. 4th batt. to 2nd batt. to com the 2nd co. with No. 5 lt. field batt. to join. HUME, Maj. J. G. 10th N.I. to be lieut. col. on the augmentation, to be lieut. col. 3rd Eur. regt. fr. Nov. 15. INNES, Ens. G. 22nd N.I. qual. as interp. in Hind. Nov. 26.3 JACOB, Maj. G. Le G. 2nd N.I. to be lieut. col. 3rd Eur. regt. fr. Nov. 15. JOHNSTONE, Lieut. N. M. 1st N.I. to be capt. fr. Nov. 15, v. Price, transferred. KANE, Lieut. F. A. C. 15th N.I. to be capt. fr. Nov. 15, v. Rose, transferred. KENNEDY, Cornet R. C. 2nd L.C. qual. as interp. in Gazerattee. KERR, Ens. W. A. 24th N.I. qual. as interp. in Hind. Nov. 26. KNIGHT, Ens. G. 16th N.I. to be lieut. from Nov. 15, v. Miles, transferred, qual. as interp. in Hind. Nov. 26. LAING, Lieut. J. 27th N.I. to be capt. fr. Nov. 15, v. Liddell, transferred. LANDON, Brev. Maj. 16th N.I. to be 2nd capt. 3rd Eur. regt. fr. Nov. 15. LAWRENCE, Ens. T. H. P. 12th N.I. to be lieut. fr. Nov. 15, v. Forrest, transferred. LEATHES, Ens. G. G. 18th N.I. to be 8th ens. 3rd Eur. regt. fr. Nov. 15. LEWIS, Ens. C. M. 1st N.I. to be lieut. fr. Nov. 15, v. Johnstone, prom. LIDDELL, Brev. maj. J. 27th N.I. to be maj. 3rd Eur. regt. fr.. Nov. 15. LYE, Lieut. G. L. 28th N.I. to be capt. fr. Nov. 15, v. Adams, transferred. MACDONALD, Lieut. J. A. M. 15th N.I. to be 8th lieut. 3rd Eur. regt. fr. Nov. 15. MALCOLM, Lieut. R. P. Eng., att. to do du. with corps sap. and min. at Poona, to join Dec. 6. MALDEN, 2nd Lieut. W. H.art. qual. as interp. in Hind. Nov. 26. MASON, Ens. W. H. 3rd N.I. to be lieut. fr. Nov. 15, v. Grant, prom. MAUGER, Capt. C. 17th N.I. to be 5th capt. 3rd Eur. regt. fr. Nov. 15. ** Should any delay or irregularity occur in supplying this paper, a communication of the fact to the Publishers will insure a remedy. ALLEN'S INDIAN MAIL, FRIDAY, January 13, 1854. COLONEL COTTON ON PUBLIC WORKS IN INDIA. ALL who have paid any attention to Indian matters during the last few years, must have become almost sickened by the clamour about Public Works. But, as the subject is most important, the feeling of disgust must not be encouraged, although the subject, with many others of like nature, has for the most part fallen into the hands of persons alike incompetent and malignant. A work conceived and written in a better spirit, though not entirely free from one-sidedness, and the production certainly of a man well acquainted with that which he discusses, has lately made its appearance and has attracted, as it deserves, considerable attention.* The chief public works required in India naturally divide themselves into works of irrigation, and works for intercommunication. With regard to the former, there is scarcely room for any great difference of opinion, although it has been apprehended that such works would engender malaria, and it was, we presume, inferred that people should be sentenced to death from starvation, lest they should encounter death from disease. Colonel Cotton is an ardent, and we must add, a powerful advocate for extended irrigation, in which course we think all judicious persons must be disposed to concur with and applaud him. Whether his calculations be not over sanguine when he estimates the profit of such works at 70 per cent. upon the outlay, or more than that, is another question, on which we should say he has not furnished sufficient data to enable us to arrive at a fair judgment. But that extended irrigation is perhaps first among the great wants of India, is a point upon which few dissentients will be found. But then arises the question of questions, whence is the money to come? Colonel Cotton says, Borrow it ;-and if the return be that which he estimates it to be, or one-tenth of such amount, we should say so too. That man, however, would be a bold one-that Government would be a bold one, who should act upon this recommendation in the face of the clamour which such a proceeding could not fail to raise. Here, it would be said, is a Government borrowing money in a time of peace; it must be on the very verge of insolvency. We do not affirm that it would be unwise to disregard such clamour, we think it ought to be disregarded; but so sensible and well-informed a writer as Colonel Cotton must be well aware that Manchester would be in an uproar if such improvements were made with borrowed capital, although the men of that town have been bawling themselves hoarse because they are not made, or rather because these same Manchester men choose to say that nothing of the kind has been attempted. Colonel Cotton is of a different stamp. We have no doubt he writes "Public Works in India; their Importance, with Suggestions for their Extension and Improvement.' t." By Lieut.-Col. A. Cotton, Chief Engineer, Madras. London, 1854. Allen & Co. with perfect honesty of purpose, and we sincerely wish that the object which he so zealously presses may be carried out to an extent which may satisfy all his aspirations, and meet all the wants of India. On the other point, the multiplication and improvement of the means of transit, it is equally impossible not to agree with him generally; but in descending to details his views will not command equal unanimity. Thus, while he would subject the enjoyment of the advantages of irrigation to the payment of toll, he is favourable to the exemption of those using roads and canals from such charge. We cannot see why. Roads and canals in England are not free. They cannot be made or maintained without expense; and nothing can be fairer, as it appears to us, than that those who use them should pay for the advantage. They increase the value of the land, and thus indirectly assist the funds of Government; but works of irrigation effect this object less circuitously; and if one class of works should be free, why not the other? Then, too, we are not sure that Col. Allen's opinions on the comparative value of different modes of transit are altogether sound. We cannot but agree in what he says as to the importance of improving and extending river navigation, but we are not at all convinced that in any case a canal is preferable to a natural river; nor that it can, to any great extent, adequately supply the place of railroads. The writer seems to think that canals in this country are still very flourishing concerns; but we suspect, that if he inquired, he would find that the dividends of canal proprietors have suffered greatly from the competition of railways. On this point, and indeed on some others, we must say that Colonel Cotton manifests a deference almost ridiculous for the authority of a person who some years since pronounced the passage by steam across the Atlantic absolutely impracticable,-a sentence too memorable to have been forgotten, had not its author subsequently attained a notoriety of a still less enviable character. Colonel Cotton seems almost to prefer common roads to railways. We regard the "iron road" as the great instrument for the renovation of India, and hope that it may be extended there far and wide. On the subject, too, of the kind of railway to be adopted, if any, we fear the author is heterodox. He is opposed to the railway as we have it here, and has a substitute in a sort of "post and rail" mode of transit, of the practicability of which we have some doubts, and of its safety still more. But enough has been said in the way of disparagement, and much might be urged in praise of the work. It is highly suggestive, and this is much. He who can set people thinking performs good service to society. On the subject of irrigation we go with Colonel Cotton heart and soul; even as to borrowing the money, not having much fear of ManchesThe bugbear of India debt is truly ridiculous, seeing how contemptible is its amount compared with the revenue of the country. While differing from some of the views advanced in this book, on the means of extending and improving intercommunication in India, the expediency of such extension and improvement cannot be questioned. In regard to the improvement of the navigation of the Godavery, the author enumerates several classes and bodies who are interested in the matter-the Company's Government, the Governments of Nagpore and Hyderabad, the manufacturers of Great Britain, the antislavery body, and the shipping interest. How comes it that ter. Per steamer Ganges (Nov. 28), from HONG KONG, &c.-Messrs. Field, Blair, Malcolm, and Cornforth; Maj. Lloyd, Lieut. Paul, Maj. Aston and servant; H. Young, Esq. and servant; Mr. Luard, Mr. Boid, Lieut. Peevor, I.N.; Messrs. Brockwell, Hackett, and Coslett; A. Tamojier, Pestonjee Jamsetjee and servant; Framjee Eduljee and servant. 2nd class - Mr. Pereira, Mr. Masters, 2 natives, and 18 Lascars. Per Owen Glendower (Dec. 2), from LONDON.-Mrs. Dickenson and child, Mrs. Cowper, Mrs. Vining and child, Miss Miller, Miss Rainsford, Miss Crozier, Lieut. W. N. Dyett, 3rd regt. B.N.I.; Lieut. C. C. G. Cow per, Sth regt. B.N.I.; Lieut. T. L. S. Aldersey, H.M.'s 10th regt; 2nd lieut. Alex. Finch, Bombay eng.; W. N. Bruce, I.N.; Mrs. Cook and 3 children, Mrs. Bayley and child, Miss M. Bayley, Miss. F. R. Bayley, Miss K. Linton, and Maj. T. W. Bayley, 20th regt. M.N.I. Per steamer Acbar (Dec. 8), from SUEZ.-Miss Antonette, Miss Louise, Mrs. Selby, Lieut. col. and Mrs. Brett, Mrs. Skinner, Miss Birch, Miss Elphinstone, Miss Leitner, Mr. and Mrs. Barton, Mrs. Scott, Mrs. Price, Miss Ross, Mr. Winteringham, Mr. Baddington, Mr. Nasserwanjse Ardaseer, Capt. Jones, Mr. Shekleton, Mr. Hawthorn, Mr. Bennet, Capt. Harvey, Mr. Preston, Mr. F. Hawkes, Mr. C. J. Hawkes, Mr. Fraser, Mr. Thompson, Mr. Kleinbenecht, Mr. Kawman, and Mr. Veuttle. IMPORTS (Bombay, Dec. 13).-Sales have been effected to a considerable amount, but they have been mostly forced, and at unremunerative prices. The goods chiefly in request are grey shirtings, under 7 lbs., grey jaconets and madapollams. Copper has improved in value 1 to 1 rupees, and is in fair demand. Iron, Swedish bar, Rs. 52 to 54 per candy; Steel, in tubs, Rs. 12; Faggot, 10 to 11 rs.; English bar, Rs. 38 to Rs. 40; Square Nail Rod, Rs. 35; Round Nailrod, Rs. 50 to 51; Sheet, Rs. 7 to 8; Hoop, 7 to 8 rupees. Lead, Pig, Rs. 103, Sheet, 14 to 15 rupees; Spelter, Rs. 14 to 144; Tinplates, 14; Quicksilver has declined to Rs. 49 to 50. CEYLON. THE LONDON MAIL of November 8th arrived at Point de Galle, December 13th (per Oriental). The Pottinger left on the same day with the Mails for Hong Kong. BIRTHS. DALZIEL, wife of John, s. at Colpetty, June 12. HARRIDGE, Mrs. P. s. at Colpetty, Nov. 30. MOTTAN, wife of A. W. d. at Colombo, Dec. 4. OHLMUS, wife of G. J. d. at Colombo, Nov. 30. MARRIAGE. LAMBERT, G. to Miss Jane Jacobs, at Ceylon, Nov. 30. DEATHS. ERFSON, P. W. at Colombo, aged 71, Dec. 3. OORLOFF, J. C. at Colombo, aged 50, Dec. 4. WILLIAMS, T. at Colombo, aged 44, Dec. 2. Per Lady Mary Wood.-Mrs. and Miss Baylis and child; Lieut. Stokes, E.N., Messrs. D. H. Johnson, J. Bowman, T. A. Mudge, R. C. Antrobus, E. H. Samson, G. Barnett, A. Head, Mugford, A. Burnes, W. Crampton, P. S. Burn, E. Marsh, Ladhakhahe. Per steamer Erin (Nov. 27), to SOUTHAMPTON.-Mr. R. Aspinall, and Lieut. J. A. Wilson. For ALEXANDRIA.-Baron Waldemar de Bodesco. For BOMBAY.-Mr. K. R. Camajee, and Messrs. B. R. Mody, R. Pestonjee Cupunuch, M. N. Pochajee, and D. Byramjee. For SINGAPORE.-Mr. A. E. Mackay. COMMERCIAL. China, Nov. 26, 1853. EXCHANGES AND BULLION. On London, Bills, 5s. 2d. to 5s. 3d. On India Company's Accepted, Rs. 245 to 24 6 doll. Sycee,per cent. pm. Gold, 21 to 60 doll. per tael. FREIGHTS. To England, £2. 10s. to £3. To America, 10 dollars (nominal). IMPORTS (Canton, Nov. 24, 1853).—The import market is reported upon favourably. Longcloths alone falling twenty cents. a piece in one day; there has however been a temporarily favourable reaction. HOW IS INDIA RUINED?-The decay of our Indian manufactures is a subject frequently discoursed upon by Indian reformers. There is but one auswer to be given to it. "Settle that with Mr. Bright." It is the rapacity of Manchester, not the rapacity of the East-India Company that impoverishes the Indian Artizan.Calcutta Review. |