FOR

The Bentinck, with a mail, left Calcutta May 16th, Madras 21st, Point de Galle 26th, Aden June 8th, and arrived at Suez June 16. The Victoria, with a mail, left Bombay May 23rd, and arrived at Suez June 12th.

The Pottinger, with the China mail, left Hong-Kong May 6th, Singapore 15th, Penang 18th, and arrived at Point de Galle 26th ult.

The mails thus brought were taken on to Alexandria; they arrived at Malta June 22nd (per Candia), and Marseilles (per Valetta), June 25th.

The Candia, with the remaining portion, may be expected at Southampton July 2nd.

BURMAH, the British part of it at least, is quiet. But it has been visited by a fearful storm, which extended to Moulmein, and has done much damage. The Pluto steamer from Moulmein to Bassein, with about three hundred troops, was in great danger, and sustained much damage; but having thrown overboard everything portable, weathered the gale, and put back. She was reported to be lost, but arrived in safety at Moulmein. Great anxiety was felt respecting a fleet of thirty or forty boats proceeding with troops from Moulmein to Tonghoo, which were caught by the storm in the mouth of the Sitang river, and it is almost certain that some were lost. It is reported that an officer who had the good fortune of being on board one which got to Tonghoo in safety, saw several other boats go down. A party had reached Pegu, after much suffering; they of course could not know the fate of the whole of the boats; but their testimony was such as to warrant a belief of the worst. Some fragments of dress which had belonged to British soldiers had been brought in, and a Burmese reported that he had seen the bodies of two Europeans and several Indians floating in the river. Due allowance must be made for native exaggeration; but still there is justifiable cause for great apprehension. Measures had been taken both at Pegu and Sitang, to make effective search for any survivors of the calamity. Not a word is mentioned of the reported conflagration at Meaday.

The Delhi communications as to Russia and Caubul are this time remarkably tame and pointless. The latest of them is a letter of something more than a column, of which the following morsel is the only portion worth extracting, if indeed it be worth the process :

"I have no news from the Bokhara side, excepting that many Russians having embarked on board of ships (whence not mentioned), have landed and occupied the banks of the 'Talab' (perhaps the Sea of Aral) which is, I hear, five long stages from Hoorgunj, and one of that party was expected at Khiva by his comrade, with some fresh overtures for the Khan-i-Huzrut.' There has been a fall of the heaviest snow this cold season at Mushed and Heerat, which, as the report says, has prevented the Russian and Persian agents from quitting the latter place for Candahar. The roads are now free of snow, and there will be more frequent communications between this and Heerat as well as Bokhara."

At Calcutta the chief local event is the inauguration of Mr. Halliday as Lieutenant-Governor of Bengal. The arrangement which led to this ceremony is admitted, we believe, on all hands to be an admirable one, and there cannot be a doubt of its working well. The proceeding next in point of importance was the meeting which took place

to consider the best means of recognizing the services of Colonel Cautley, in connection with the Ganges Canal. It is true that its practical results were not of much consequence, but the bestowing of honour where it is justly due always affords pleasure to a well-constituted mind, and it is a deed which may stimulate others to follow the example set by the recipient of the honour, and lead them to emulate his merits. The resolutions presented nothing very distinctive. The first expressed admiration of Colonel Cautley's services; the purport of the second was to request the Colonel to sit for his bust, to be placed in the Town Hall, Calcutta ; the third announced the opening of a subscription, and the appointment of a committee; and the fourth provided that if any surplus should remain after the expense of the bust should be defrayed, it should be devoted to a piece of plate for Colonel Cautley. This last resolution was moved by a native, but the attendance of natives was very scanty. A work which will confer unexampled blessings on their country was not worth an hour of that attention which some of them would readily devote to a brawling demagogue-a fresh instance of their apathy, want of judgment, and want of public spirit. Colonel Cautley, who retires from the service, was to leave by the departing mail. Unusual honours were to be paid him. He was to proceed in the state yacht, duly accompanied, and to receive a salute of thirteen guns as the yacht passed Fort William. The Governor-General has issued a most complimentary general order on the occasion of Colonel Cautley's retirement.

"The most important news we have to mention in connection with Bengal," says the Bombay Times, "is the COMPLETION OF THE ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH BETWEEN BOMBAY AND CALCUTTA." This is indeed important. But the wire is but single, and not yet insulated. It affords matter for regret that Bombay should be far from healthy. The heat is said to be terrific; and this, with a scarcity of water, has occasioned great mortality. For the gratification of those who take an interest in Bombay localities, it may be worth mentioning that a new public drive is about to be made.

CASUALTIES BY DEATH IN THE ARMIES OF INDIA, REPORTED SINCE OUR LAST PUBLICATION.

H.M.'s TROOPS.-Major Henry Lloyd, H.M.'s 83rd, at
Cambay, May 6.

BENGAL.-Lieut. C. C. Bean, 25th N.I. at Calcutta,
May 2; Col. C. Coventry, 70th N.I. at Barrackpore,
May 7; Lieut. A. G. Sim, 7th N.I. at Berhampore ;
Lieut. A. Tollemache, art. at Umballah, April 28; Capt.
C. C. Scott, 32nd N.I. at Bordeaux, May 19.
MADRAS.-Lieut. W. T. Byam, 7th L.C. at Saugor, May 6.
BOMBAY.-Lieut. W. M. S. Bolton, 2nd N.I. near Maha-
bleshwur, May 6; Capt. R. H. Wardell, 5th L.I. at
Dharwar; Surg. W. P. Gillanders, 1st N.I. at Baroda,
May 4; Surg. W. J. Babington, at Bombay, May 10.

BURMA H. RANGOON.

:

The following extract from a letter, dated Rangoon, 1st May, has been kindly sent to the Hurkaru for publication "We have had a great storm here. On the 21st, 22nd, and 23rd April, there was almost incessant rain,-on the latter day blowing almost a hurricane. The horse-artillery stables and a number of trees were blown down-the leaves of choppers inverted, houses leaking, &c. The detachment of the 8th irregular cavalry, after getting on very well for four or five marches from this, were overtaken by the rain, and have had to return, the country being two feet under water. They report that on every rising ground there were swarms of snakes and scorpions; the suwars naturally went to these dry spots also, and it is wonderful that none were bitten. The losses by water are serious, it is feared; two or three small craft have been lost entirely, and two ships laden from this have been dismasted, and returned,—the wrecks towed up by the Bentinck river-steamer. Fears are entertained for a fleet of upwards of thirty boats on the Sitang river, with the head-quarters of 36th M.N.I., and a third of a European company of artillery. On the 26th, a havildar and six gun lascars reached the fort of Pegu in an exhausted state, saying they had been wrecked, and had lost everything except their swords. On 28th, a subadar and eleven men of 36th M.N.I. also got to Pegu, after wandering about for several days in the jungles without food. The subadar has one of the regimental colours with him. They say they cannot tell what became of all the others, as the waves were so high they could not see the other boats; that they had all separated in the gale.

"Tonghoo, which was stated to be the stronghold and great granary of Gounghee, and to capture which the late combined movement was made, turned out to be a place with only four or five dirty huts!

"General Steel has not arrived from Madras yet."

THE CYCLONE.-The cyclone which visited Rangoon with such extraordinary fury on the 23rd ult. has been productive not only of great loss of property, but unhappily, it is to be feared that the lives of many of our brave soldiery have been sacrificed to its destructive wrath.

On Saturday last despatches were received by the deputycommissioner from Pegu, reporting that a fleet of 40 boats, conveying the B. company 2nd battalion of the Madras artillery, and a large portion of the 36th regt. M.N.I. from Maulmain to Toungoo, had been caught by the hurricane in the mouth of the Sitang river, and that out of the 40 boats, 31 were entirely missing.

One subadar, one naique, and eight privates of the 36th regt. have arrived in an exhausted state at Pegu, but bearing with them their arms and the colours of the regiment; one havildar, six gun lascars, and one native, followers of the artillery, have also arrived

at Pegu.

A Burman has come in with two shell jackets and other articles of dress marked 36 MNI, and reports that he saw the bodies of two Europeans and six or seven Indians floating in the Sitang. Parties have been sent out from Pegu in all directions to search for of the survivors, and three boats have been despatched any from this by the deputy-commissioner, to coast along the right bank of the mouth of Sitang, and inquire at every village for intelligence. Similar steps have been taken by the assistantcommissioner at Sitang; and it is hoped that some of the missing officers and men may yet be discovered. Some portion, also it is most probable, have made their way to Sitang.

"The Hugh Lindsay arrived on the 27th April from Madras, with two companies of the 25th Madras N.I., and left the next morning for Maulmain, whence she takes part of the 5th Madras N.I. to Munsoorcottah. She does not return to Rangoon. The C. troop of Madras horse artillery, and the 35th Madras N.I. are patiently biding their time here. It is about two months since they arrived from Prome, being sent down, it is to be remembered, before the 40th and 67th Bombay N.I., in a violent hurry, to admit of their being speedily transported to Madras, while Bengal steamers and transports that had come down for the two Bengal regiments mentioned returned empty. It will be well on in June, probably, before the Madras relief is completed. Orders have come down for the removal of the naval dockyard, with its patent slips, workshops, &c., to the Dalla side of the river.

"The troops continue to be generally healthy all over the province. An officer recently arrived from Shway-geen says, that of the detachment there, consisting of 160 men of H.M.'s 29th foot, never more than five men have been in hospital, and that when he left, there was not a single man sick. The active deputy-commissioner of that district has collected already nearly two lacs of revenue. The whole road between Shway-geen and Tounghoo is now studded with large thriving villages. It seems likely that the

Martaban province will beat the Pegu districts, if this state of things continues. General Steel has not yet arrived. There has been no hot weather to speak of. This season is very different to last year. The last batch of the 8th irregulars, with Captain Richardson, arrived yesterday (April 29), in the Berenice and Aga Bukhur. They are to be sent up by steamers and flats to Prome and Meenday, marching being now out of the question. Lieutenant Mackenzie's detachment, that marched ten days ago, very nearly had to return to Rangoon; but it seems that the rain ceasing, Lieut. Mackenzie had proceeded."

"May 3.-Since writing a few hours ago, the Fire Queen from Maulmain has come in, bringing a few particulars of the accident on the Sitang river. Lieut.-Col. Johnstone, who was proceeding to join his regiment at Tonghoo, being in a good boat, weathered the bore and the wind, and got safe into Sitang, where, however, he was robbed of all he possessed by the Burmese. He saw, it is said, ten boats with men in them go down: what has become of the other twenty-five boats is not known. The Pluto was the steamer seen in distress. She was on her way to Bassein from Maulmain, and was caught in the storm; she had to throw every single thing overboard,-guns, cargo, the soldiers' accoutrements and arms, and to put back into Maulmain. The Fire Queen, on leaving the mouth of the Maulmain river, picked up a man in a boat, who said his ship was in distress, fourteen miles off. The Fire Queen proceeded to the spot, and found the ship, and put a pilot on board her."

MAULMAIN.

HURRICANE.-On Sunday, the 23rd instant, Maulmain was visited by a most terrific storm. It commenced at about 2 P. M. in the direction of S. E., and gradually veering round, terminated in the quarter whence it took its rise, after a duration of about nine hours; but it blew with redoubled fury a little before its cessation. The river was in a state of dreadful commotion all the time, and the most serious apprehensions were entertained for the safety of the numerous vessels in it, which are said to have laboured very heavily at their moorings; but we are glad in being able to report that, up to this time, we have not received accounts of any serious disasters. Scores of old and stout trees were torn up by the roots, and hundreds were denuded of their branches and dense foliage; houses were rendered leaky and roofless, and even the tiles of the roofs of houses were blown away like chaff, and many persons who flattered themselves that their houses were perfectly stanch and impervious to the severity of the monsoon, were most disagreeably undeceived when they found themselves drenched to the skin without even a few yards of dry floor to stretch their carcases on; in fact, we believe that few, if any, houses in the whole country have escaped without being damaged more or less, and many were brought down to the ground altogether by the force of the wind. The great rise of water in the river floated away several boats and scores of logs of valuable timber; in fine, it is hardly possible to describe the disastrous effects of the visitation, or to estimate the immense losses of life and property caused thereby.

"Since writing the foregoing, we hear the schooner Amherstia grounded near Beeloogyoon Island, and that the crew, with Mr. Penha, senior pilot, in charge of the vessel, were obliged to abandon her in consequence of her disabled condition, and swim ashore. The whole party, we are glad to say, arrived here in safety yesterday, after travelling for nearly two days in a famishing state.

"The buoy vessel, with Capt. Tapley on board, is said to have put to sea during the prevalence of the storm. We hope to give further particulars in our next."—Advertiser, April 26.

"We beg to lay before our readers the following account of the late storm, and its disastrous effects at Amherst, communicated by a gentleman at that place :

666

"We had on Sunday last, from mid-day to midnight, the hardest blow that any one here has ever known, during which much damage has been done on sea and land. Capt. Tapley, in the buoy boat, and Mr. Penha, in the Amherstia, were out in all of it. The buoy boat lived through it, and that is all,-her masts and rigging, and bulwarks, are all gone; three times she was completely swamped. On Monday morning, Capt. Tapley succeeded in getting on board a ship in the offing, having fasted from Saturday night till that time. This morning it is confidently said that the Amherstia is in sight of the point of Beloo Island.'". Ibid. April 28.

The following extracts from the log-book of the steamer Pluto have been kindly placed at our disposal for publication. "Extract from the log of the H.C.'s steamer Pluto, from Maulmain to Bassein, with a detachment of the 30th N.I. "Saturday, 22nd April, 1854, P.M. Light breezes and cloudy with a S.W. swell, ship rolling heavily. 3 P.M. sighted the land from the mast-head about Barague Point, bearing W.S.W. distant

about 20 miles. 4 P.M. bar. 30, ther. 841, symp. 30 10,experienced a strong northerly current, moderate and cloudy weather, increasing swell from the S.W., pumped ship dry, set fore and aft sail. Sunset-gloomy threatening appearance, ship labouring heavily, prepared for bad weather, hoisted boats close up, preventive lashings on anchors and shrouds on funnel. 8 P.M.-Increasing breezes, dark gloomy weather with passing showers of rain accompanied with lightning, battened down hatches, bar. 29.90 ther. 84, symp. 30, 8-30. P.M.-Ship took a heavy lurch and started the deck baggage,-restowed it. 9 P.M. bar. 29-80, ther. 84, symp. 29 90, there being every appearance of a gale in the gulf to the S.W. of the vessel, altered course to S.E. with the view of clearing its track, in all sail, ship making little or no way, pitching heavily, gig swamped and washed away at stern davits, carrying away the port davit and bulwark. 10 P.M.-Rigged spare pumps, pumped ship dry-increasing breeze from the S.E. Midnight-blowing a gale from the S.E. with passing light rain and sheet lightning, bar. 29-90, ther. 83, smyp. 29-70, A. 29-60, ship labouring heavily, shipping heavy seas forward.

"A.M. heavy S.E. gale. Engineers reported that as the vessel had decreased the number of revolutions, the bilge-pumps could not keep the engine-room free, shifted one of the spare handpumps from the fore-hold into the engine-room, and set a party of artillerymen, under Lieut. Georges, pumping engine-room and forepeak. 4 A.M. bar. 29.40, ther. 841, smyp. 29.60. 4-30, sea increased, mountainous and confused, horizon at times no where visible from the height of the waves, ship labouring heavily. 5, the ship unmanageable, and taking in a large quantity of water in every direction, and in danger of foundering; threw overboard, with the assistance of Major Wheeler, Lieut. Georges, and artillerymen, the deck baggage, comprising sepoy's arms and accoutrements, officers baggage, &c. 6-30, ship much relieved, and much more buoyant, shipping less water, pumps going all the time. 7, experienced a lull of 15 minutes, resecured everything for a shift of wind, masts, funnel, &c.; bar. 29.9, ther. 84,59, S. 29,20, A. 29.10; observed the barometer rise, and fall one inch, much sheet lightning, saw sea-birds about the ship and the water effervescing alongside, served out an allowance of grog to artillerymen. 7,15, wind shifted to the N.W., and blowing with indescribable force a hurricane. Jolly-boat and first cutter blown away with quarter-davits and part of bulwarks, starboard paddle-box boat capsized inboard, and jammed against the bridge awning stanchions and paddle-wheel, and stopping the engines occasionally; lashed the helm alee, as the man at the wheel could not stand the violence of wind and spray.

"All hands under the lee of the weather bulwarks. 2nd cutter turned over and jammed against the davits, fore-yard carried away in the slings, found it impossible to move along the decks without crawling on all-fours. Barometer oscillating very much, and finally settled at 28-40; obliged to desert the pumps in consequence of the fearful violence of the wind; ship buried in the sea on her port broadside; foremast invisible from the funnel, in consequence of the spray caused by the wind cutting off the tops of the waves; all who were exposed felt it exceedingly cold during the height of the hurricane, and experienced a most painful sensation about the face, particularly the eyes; found it impracticable to throw the guns overboard, which would have relieved the ship greatly. Ten, occasionally moderating, the sea one mass of foam, wind and spray beating down the sea. Eleven, barometer rising, wind abating and shifting to the westward; manned the pumps again, found the water in engine-room entering the ash-pit; sounded, and found 2 feet 9 inches, sea rising, and ship labouring heavily. Noon, barometer 29.9, ther. 84.89, S. 29.40, weather moderating fast, cleared the decks of all broken spars, &c.; sea increasing, found the port after-sponson and starboard foresponson much damaged, caboose capsized and broken, ensign staff carried away, awning stanchions rent, main gaff carried away, &c. &c."

"P.M. Wind and sea moderating. Barometer rising. 29.30, righted starboard paddle box boat, found port side of the boat destroyed by the paddle wheel. Bar. 29.40, symp. 30.0, ther. 83.3, Mr. Malcolm, 1st engr., reported a hole 13 inches by 1 inch in the port bunker, also three rivet holes letting in a large quantity of water. 3.30, set staysail and bore up, having ascertained from Major Wheeler, commanding troops on board, that he could not relieve the garrison at Bassein in the present noneffective state of the detachment on board, without arms and clothes. 4, set fore trysail, bar. 29.80, ther. 83, symp. 30.20, moderate breezes and cloudy. Sunset, ditto weather. 7, in all sail. 8, moderate and cloudy, pumping occasionally during the watch, bar. 29.90, ther. 82, symp. 30.20. 10, passing showers. Midnight, light breezes and fine. Bar. 30.0, ther. 82, symp. 30.20.

A.M., moderate and fine. 1-20, observed a vessel standing

THE LONDON MAIL of March 24th arrived at Calcutta May 2nd (per Bentinck). The subsequent mail of April 8th arrived on May 14th (per Oriental). The mail of May 24th left Suez for Ceylon, Madras, and Calcutta, on June 6th (per Bengal).

NATIVE LANGUAGES.-The Court of Directors has, on the recommendation of the Supreme Government, relaxed the rule regarding officers being compelled to pass in Hindustani before they can hold staff appointments, in favour of such officers as may be nominated to situations in the province of Pegu, where no Hindustani is spoken. They are, however, to pass an examination in Burmese within one year from the time they receive the appointments.

ADDRESS TO MR. HUME.-On Saturday afternoon, April 29, the principal assistants of the senior magistrate's office, accompanied by Mr. Burroughs, the interpreter of vernacular languages, waited upon Mr. Hume at Spence's. Mr. Burroughs, after a few preliminary remarks, explained to Mr. Hume the object of his coming with the assistants, and begged permission to read an address. The address being read and delivered, Mr. Hume, after a pause, made a very eloquent and feeling reply.

SIR R. HAMILTON.-Consequent on the increased work of agent to the Governor-General for Central India, Sir Robert Hamilton, the Governor-general of India in Council, has augmented his salary from Co.'s Rs. 40,000 to 48,000 per annum.

NEW POST-OFFICE RULES.-The Englishman notices, that on the promulgation of the new post-office rules, all the postmasterships will be bestowed on natives. They will be only deputypostmasters, and we suspect this will be found the weakest point in the new system. Seven inspectors are, however, to be appointed, on salaries of Rs. 300 a month each, and these officers will probably be filled exclusively by Europeans.

MESSRS. WHITE, LICHFORD, AND SMITH, LATE OF THE 48TH N.I.-The Calcutta Morning Chronicle reports that Messrs. White, Lichford, and Smith, who were dismissed from the 48th N.I. some three years since, are now captains of cavalry in the Turkish army. It will be remembered they were all implicated in the duel in which Ensign Huxham was a principal.

H.M.'S FORCES IN INDIA.-The electric telegraph announces that Colonel Markham is appointed adjutant-general, and Lieut.Col. H. Havelock quarter-master general of H.M.'s forces in India, Lieut.-Col. Lugard succeeding the latter officer as deputy adjutant-general at Bombay.

THE COLLECTORATE OF HOOGHLY. Government having sanctioned the erection of a new building for the collectorate of Hooghly, Mr. Voss, the architect, has already proceeded thither with a view to superintend personally its construction. Considering that it will take eighteen months to finish it, we suppose the building will be large enough to accommodate the whole of the public offices at Hooghly.-Bengal Hurkaru, May 12.

THE ORIENTAL LIFE AND MEDICAL INVALID ASSURANCE COMPANIES.-The Englishman mentions that the project for uniting the Oriental Life Insurance Company and the Medical Invalid Society has proved successful. The policies of the two offices, on the 1st January, amounted to Rs. 80,33,350. Since that period the offices have granted policies for Rs. 13,12,000 more; and it is expected that, by the 30th of June, the total amount will have reached a million sterling. The danger of the Oriental office, it is said, arose from the "mania for dividends" which had seized the shareholders.

OPIUM.-The following is the result of the opium sale, held May 8:

Behar Chests 2855 Average 795-7 Proceeds 22,71,075 Benares 1170 830 9,71,125 This exhibits an increase of Rs. 22 for the Patna, and Rs. 30 for the Benares drug. It is remarkable as an evidence how little the sales are affected by the ordinary laws of trade. The latest advices from Shanghai threaten disturbances, dangerous even to European traders, yet the price rises.

MR. G. S. FAGAN, of the Calcutta bar, has been appointed senior magistrate of Calcutta from this day, in succession to Mr. Hume, who has been compelled to resign the appointment, the state of his health rendering it necessary for him to return to England.

DR. GRANT, surgeon to the Governor-General, is now suffering from very severe illness, and will be obliged to go to Europe with as little delay as possible.

EXAMINATION OF MEDICAL OFFICERS IN THE VERNACULAR. -An order has been issued by the Governor of Bengal, directing that all medical officers, covenanted and uncovenanted, hereafter appointed to civil duties in the lower provinces, shall within twelve months of their appointment pass an examination in the vernacular of the district.

REDUCTIONS. The salary of the office of secretary to the Government of India in the foreign department has been reduced from Co.'s Rs. 52,200 to 50,000 per annum; the same to take effect from the date of assumption of Mr. G. F. Edmonstone, the recently appointed Secretary. The financial secretaryship will also undergo the same fate as soon as Mr. C. Allen, the present incumbent, ceases to be connected with it.

CHANGES IN FIRMS.-Yesterday (May 1) being the first day of the commercial year, the advertising columns of the Englishman announced many new mercantile arrangements, amongst others, the admission as partners of Messrs. J. S. Barstow and J. Dacosta in the firm of Ashburner and Co.; of Mr. G. Brown in that of Jardine, Skinner, and Co.; and the retirement of Mr. J. Forlong from the house of Tulloh, Seal, and Co.

ARMY OF OBSERVATION.-The Englishman says that it is whispered about town that, among the other exigencies of war, an army of observation is to formed on the north-west frontier, and conjectures that the intended journey of the Governor-General has reference to such an arrangement.

THE BANK OF BENGAL lowered its rates one per cent. all round on the 5th of May.

is to consist of a private secretary and two aides-de-camp, one of whom is, however, to be also the secretary, as is the case in the North-Western Provinces. All the territories hitherto under the control of the governor of Bengal are to be placed under the authority of the Lieut.-Governor, with the exception of the Tenasserim provinces, the government of which, together with that of Pegu, will continue to be administered by the Governor-General (foreign department); his Lordship also retains the governorship of Fort William.-Hurkaru.

THE BONDED WAREHOUSE.-The report of the directors of the Bonded Warehouse Association for the past half-year showed a surplus profit of Rs. 14,000. A dividend of eight rupees per share for the last half-year is declared.

NEW LIEUT.-GOVERNORSHIP OF BENGAL.-The following are some of the arrangements for the new lieut.-governorship of Bengal. In addition to his salary of a lakh of rupees per annum, and an official residence, the Lieut. -Governor is to be provided with a fitting establishment of attendants, the cost of which is fixed at Rs. 600 per mensem. The secretary and two undersecretaries to the Government of Bengal are to draw respectively Rs. 36,000 and Rs. 15,000 each per annum. The personal staff

Loss OF THE "ELIZA."-We have received from Capt. Smith, of the Powerful steamer, the following particulars of the loss of the ship Eliza, from this port bound to Melbourne:-The Eliza left with steam on Friday, and after getting across the James and Marys, the steamer had to return to town. The pilot worked the ship down to the Rangafulla Channel, and anchored for the night. There were on board, including cabin passengers, altogether about forty souls. On Saturday at high water, the ship weighed to work down on the ebb tide, and when some distance below Mud Point took the ground, and remained on shore till the flood was in at 10 p.m. After floating, they found the ship had three feet water in the hold, and the leak rapidly increasing; it was determined to beach her on Mud Point, and with this view sail was made on the ship, and she took the ground in the mouth of Channel Creek, about a quarter of a mile to the northward of Mud Point trees, and settled down fast. The boats had been previously got out, and the lady and two children put into the long-boat, but when the ship rolled over, the mainyard went through the boat's side and disabled her; the captain and chief officer, and one other man, had gone on shore in a small cutter, to obtain assistance by native boats to land the crew and passengers, but all their efforts were unavailing, and the whole of the passengers, pilot, and crew, including a lady and three young children, were in the rigging the whole night, and underwent great sufferings. At daylight this morning the captain returned with the small boat, and landed the whole on Mud Point Island, and as we were passing up, I observed them, sent my boats, and brought them, I am happy to say, safely to Calcutta. They have all lost everything they had on board, and they came on board with barely any covering. This is not the first time the natives have refused to render assistance in such cases; and although there were several tow boats in the creeks they all refused to go off to the ship."-Englishman, May 2. [Mr. Saunders, the pilot, is to be brought to trial before a Marine court.]

INSTRUCTION IN HINDUSTANI.-An ex-cadet, of Addiscombe, complains that the system of instruction in Hindustani pursued at that institution is a bad one; for that, though he had studied the language for two years there, he found, on his arrival in India, that he could neither understand a word that was said to him by the natives, nor make himself understood by them.

MILITARY On DITS.-Lieut.-Col. Fraser, of the engineers, is going either to the Cape or England; Major Abercrombie will act during his absence as superintending enginineer of the Bengal circle, and Captain Fagan take Major Abercrombie's place as officiating garrison engineer and civil architect.-2nd Lieut. Albert Tollemache, of the artillery, died at Umballa on the 28th ultimo. -Major Neville Chamberlain is to succeed Brigadier Hodgson in the command of the Punjab Irregular force, and Major McPherson gets the secretaryship to the Punjab Board of Administration.-The Delhi Gazette speaks of Lieut.-Col. Day, of the artillery, as about to retire.

GOVERNMENT GENERAL ORDERS. OFFICERS PUBLISHING THEIR OPINIONS ON PROFESSIONAL

GRIEVANCES.

Fort William, April 28, 1854.-The Hon. the Court of Directors having, in their military letter to the Governor-General of India in Council, No. 2, dated 8th Feb. 1854, called the attention of the Supreme Government to a letter addressed to the editor of The Times, Bombay newspaper, signed "John Jacob, Scinde Horse," in which the writer denounces as having ruined the efficiency of the native army, the regimental system established in the year 1796, the Articles of War framed under the authority of the Legislature, and the general system of discipline established by the orders of Government; and having intimated that, in their opinion, it is of great importance that an order should be issued to the army of the three presidencies, forbidding in the strongest terms all publications of the description now referred to, whether anonymous or otherwise; the Governor-General of India in Council is pleased to promulgate for general information the observations of the Hon. Court upon this subject.

"Any officer in the service is at liberty, and indeed in many cases is bound in duty, to communicate confidentially to the Com.-in-Chief of the army to which he belongs, the opinions he may entertain on points affecting the discipline or efficiency of the troops; but he is not at liberty to denounce publicly the system established by the Legislature and by the Government he serves. Such conduct is entirely subversive of discipline, is calculated to excite discontent and insubordination in the army, and we cannot express in too strong terms our disapprobation of the course which appears to have been taken on the present occasion."

In pursuance of the instructions of the Hon. Court, the Governor-General in Council hereby positively prohibits, under the penalty of the most marked displeasure of Government, the practice of officers publishing their individual opinions on professional grievances or censures, whether anonymously or with their names attached thereto, on the organization and efficiency of the army; on its regulations or discipline; or on the conduct of individuals composing it.

This order is applicable alike to the three presidencies.

RETIREMENT OF LIEUT.-COL. P. T. CAUTLEY.

Fort William, Home Department, May 11th, 1854.-Lieut.Colonel P. T. Cautley, director of the Ganges canal, has, in general orders dated this day, been permitted to retire from the service of the East-India Company.

In the practice of the Government of India, rules and precedents forbid that any special regard should be paid to officers retiring from the scene of their public service.

But rules may rightly be broken through, and precedents must stand aside, when they prevent a fitting expression of the gratitude and approbation which are due from the Government he serves to an officer of rare distinction, whose labours for the public good have brought lasting honour to the British name.

Resigning the direction of the Ganges canal, Lieut.-Colonel Cautley retires from the service of the Honourable East-India Company in the full triumph of his accomplished work.

Constructed over more than 500 miles within a period of eight years, broken by wars and encumbered with difficulties, the Ganges canal already stands unequalled among works of its class and character throughout the world.

It is to Lieut.-Colonel Cautley that the British Government mainly owes the accomplishment of this gigantic enterprise. His genius conceived the design, and his skill and energy and perseverence have chiefly contributed to its rapid and successful

execution.

For this great and memorable service, the Governor-General in Council desires to offer to Lieut.-Col. Cautley the assurance of his highest and most grateful approbation.

That Lieut.-Col. Cautley may quit the shores of India with every mark of public distinction, the Governor-General in Council requests that he will embark on board the Governor-General's yatch from Chandpal Ghat, on Monday the 15th inst., at 6 A.M.; and directs that on his way to the packet, he shall receive, as he passes, a special salute of thirteen guns from the ramparts of Fort William.

The Governor-General in Council is very sensible that these are but poor honours to render for such deeds. But while his Lordship in Council regrets that the Government of India has neither honours nor decorations in its gift, he feels assured that Lieut.Col. Cautley will ever find the richest reward of his public services in the consciousness he needs must enjoy that his name will be famous through future years in the land which his skill will have fertilised and enriched.

EXAMINATION OF MEDICAL OFFICERS IN NATIVE LANGUAGES.

Notification.-The 27th April, 1854.-The most noble the Governor of Bengal has been pleased to resolve that all medical officers, covenanted and uncovenanted, hereafter appointed to civil duties in the lower provinces, shall within twelve months after their appointment, be required to pass an examination in the vernacular language of the district, such as shall test their ability to converse with the people and to be understood by them.

The standard of examination will be the same as that prescribed for military and medical officers, under the orders of the government of India in the military department, dated the 1st March, 1844.

NEW FURLOUGH RULES.

Head Quarters, Simla, April 29, 1854.-With reference to general orders of 23rd February last, his Ex. the Com.-in-Chief is pleased, under instructions from Government, to notify that, pending an elucidation by the Hon. the Court of Directors of the new furlough rules, officers who apply for leave to visit Calcutta or Bombay preparatory to preferring an application for furlough to Europe on private affairs or medical certificate, are permitted to defer declaring whether they wish to avail themselves of the regulations promulgated in the order* noted in the margin, or to abide by the old rules until they shall ultimately submit their application for furlough, on the understanding that the preparatory leave will be granted under the old rules.

2. In all other cases the course directed in para. 12 of the Hon. Court's despatch, published in the government general order above cited, is invariably to be pursued.

THE LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR OF BENGAL.

Fort William, Home Department, May 1, 1854.-The Hon. Frederick James Halliday has this day taken the prescribed oaths, and assumed charge of the lieutenant-governorship of the Bengal division of the presidency of Fort William, under the usual salute, in virtue of his appointment thereto by the orders of the most Noble the Governor-General in Council, dated the 28th ultimo.

THE COUNCIL OF INDIA.

Fort William, Home Department, May 1, 1854.-A vacancy having occurred in the Council of India by the resignation of the Hon. Frederick James Halliday of his seat in council, John Peter Grant, Esq., has this day, by virtue of his appointment by the Hon. the Court of Directors, taken the oaths and his seat as third ordinary member of council, under the usual salute from the ramparts of Fort William.

CIVIL.

APPOINTMENTS, &c.

ALLEN, C. to offic. as sec. to gov. of India, home dept. until further orders, May 1.

ANNAND, A. S. to offic. as mag. coll. and salt. ag. of Pooree, and asst. to supt. of tribut. Mehals.

BENNETT, J. R. B. to be post-mr. gen.

BEST, J. R. to offic. as mag. and coll. of Ghazeepore, dur. abs. of Thornhill.

BLACKALL, A. K. extra asst. in the Punjab, to ch. of treasury, at Huzara.

BRANDRETH, J. E. L. to be dept. commis. 2nd class, in the Punjab, April 28.

BRERETON, H. to be dep. commis. 2nd class, in the Punjab. CARNAC, W. J. R. to be dep. commis. 1st class, in the Punjab. COLVIN, B. W. to offic. as jun. asst. comm. of Kumaon, dur. abs. of Hay.

COOPER, B. H. to conduct duties of mag. of Pooree, and asst. to supt. of tribut. Mehals, till rel. by Mr. Annand.

COUPER, G. to be under-sec. to gov. of India, foreign dept. but to continue to act in home dept. May 1.

DENISON, C. B. to be dep. commis. 3rd class, in the Punjab.

* G. G. O. No 110, of Feb. 1, 1854.