INTERESTING INTELLIGENCE FROM THE BRITISH DOMINIONS IN INDIA, AND THE SETTLEMENTS IN THE EAST. SYRIAN CHRISTIANS. COCHIN. “THIS town is inhabited almost entirely by Dutch people. They amount to about twelve hundred. With but few exceptions they are extremely poor and without employment. They have no schools, either English or Dutch, except one in which an invalid serjeant, very imperfectly teaches a little English. "They have a large Church, but it is in a very decayed condition. A part of the pulpit and a part of the roof have fallen down. When the place was taken [by the English] this venerable building was converted for a time into a stable. Eight years ago their minister died. Since that time they have had no religious instruction, and as a natural consequence, many of them have turned Roman Catholics rather than lose entirely the name and appearance of religion. "Many of the inhabitants understand English sufficiently well to receive reli The following intelligence is the latest that has been received concerning this ancient community of Christians, long concealed, and lately re-discovered. We have given several articles of which it has been the subject; and may, possibly, attempt to form an orderly sketch of their history These extracts are from the Journals of the American Missionaries. Says Mr. Newell, in a letter to a friend, speaking of Cochin,It opens a door to an uncultivated re-gious instruction in that language. gion, and in the neighbourhood of this place are the Syrian Christians, who stand in great need of instruction, who would thankfully receive the instruction of prudent missionaries, if they did not attempt to withdraw them from their own church, and who might be made use of to immense advantage in spreading the Gospel in the south of India. On my voyage from Ceyion to Bombay I touched at Cochin, and from thence visited the Syrian Christians. I found among them none of that bigotry and jealousy, which characterizes the Church of Rome. They are indeed extremely ignorant, but they are willing to be instructed. They were about erecting two seminaries, in different parts of the country, for educating young men for the ministry. But they have noue among them capable of teaching. I asked the priests, with whom I conversed, whether they would like to have an European come and reside among them, to assist them in educating their young men. They seemed to be seusible of the advantage of such a measure, and expressed the utmost readiness to receive such a person, but observed at the same time that their poverty could not allow them to make any compensation for such services. "At a former period the principal Dutch inhabitants waited on the chief magistrate, represented to him their situation, and prayed, that if possible he would obtain a minister for them. To effect this he made repeated attempts, but without success.” The following particulars are from the Journals of Messrs. Nott and Hall; which contain a more formal Report, on the same subject. The date of these Reports is August 1814. | Steps have been subsequently taken, by the erection of a new and effective College, under the patronage of Major Munro, the Company's Resident at Travancore, for the instruction of priests and laymen: of this most laudable institution, we expect to be able to present further particulars. The following is the account by these gentlemen, of the Syrian Christians; whose (Old) College they visited Nov. 2, 181S. They saw Bishop Raymond; and were attended through the apartments by a priest, young and modest, lately arrived from Italy: these being Catholic Syriaus. "In the college are thirty-two students, twelve of whom are Syrian catholics, and pursue their studies and devotions in the Syrian language, without paying any attention to the Latin. The catholic and the Syrian cathole students have each a separate chapel, highly decorated with crucifixes, images, paintings and flowers. In their school rooms they have a very few books, and those are sadly mutilated and defaced. "We inquired for their public library; but they said that they had none at present, for the white an s had destroyed it. The magnificent public buildings are surrounded with the most miserable native huts. The people, both from their appearance, and from a representation given by their bishop, are extremely poor and wretched. But none appeared more so than about twenty Catechumen, who had advanced as far as the third sacrament, which they were repeating on their knees. Some were male, some female, some very old, others very young, and some were shockingly meagre and decrepid The bishop said their num ber of converts the last year was about five hundred. "At Cranganore they have another college with about thirty Syrian students. The Syrio-catholte Christians, they say, amount to eighty thousand, and their churches to eighty. In the college at Ve rapoli each student is boarded at two rupees per mouth, and all other charges are defrayed from public funds. "At Verapoli, as we were informed, they have a full sized image of St. John, which, on the 24th of June, they convey to the water, and three times immerse. In this part of the country they erect, in front of each church, a flag staff, on which they display a sacred flag on their festival days. "Wherever we go, we behold demonstrations of the unparalleled zeal and activity of the Pope's apostles. They have sustained labours, privations, and suffer ings, almost to a miracle; they have demolished idols and their temples; baptised, in the name of Jesus, hundreds of thousands who once were pagans, and have erected churches from one extremity of India to the other." The St. John, so obscurely hinted at, is certainly John the Baptist, whose festival is fixed to June 24. The immersion of his image three times deserves notice, as it not only marks the character of the Holy man commemorated, but, as being a coincidence with the practice of the Disciples of John, a sect yet remaining near Antioch in Syria, who baptize infants at forty days old, by trine immersion. Quitting the Catholic Syrians, our travellers the next day, Nov. 3, went to Cadenade, about fourteen miles from Cochin, where the late Syrian Bishop resided. This village, in common with other Syrian villages, bears the name of " the Nazaraina much neater appearance than those of the Bazaar." The houses in this village are of lower order of natives in general. A large stone cross at the entrance marks it as a Christian village. These people seem to have suffered from their former subjection to the Catholics: in the front of their Church is an image of the Virgin, with mals, by way of ornament. The inside her son; and a strange assemblage of anialso much resembles, in its decorations, a Catholic Church:-but it is free from images. "By the priests' account, St. Thomas he birth of our Savior. He planted five came to this country fifty-two years after churches before his death, and he suffered martyrdom near Madras, and from his converts arose the Syrian church. churches; but sixty-three years ago, the They formerly had images in their bishop, on first arriving from Antioch, caused all the images to be destroyed. "Their number of churches is fifty-two and a half: the half church being one which vibrates between the Roman and Syrian church. Their clergy are about three hundred. None of them are mar ried; being, as they say, unable to suptenance from the people, than what arises port families They have no other mainfrom the perquisites at marriages, funerals, and special mass. inherit some sacerdotal blood, is eligible No one who does not fact we inferred the probability, of what a to the office of the ministry. From this comparison of features had led us to suspect, that the priests only are of Syrian origin, and that the people are the de scendants of native converts. "The ordinary service of the church is in Syriac, a language totally unknowu to the common people. 66 evening worship. The priests chanted the We were present at their morning and service in Syriac without much appearance of solemnity or care. During their devo tions they several times prostrated themselves, touching the ground with their forehead, and crossing themselves as they rose. The people bowed, and crossed themselves in like manner." These Syrians were forcibly united to the Church of Rome, in 1844; but subse. quently broke of from that Communion. Copy of a Letter addressed by the Nabob of Arcot, some years ago, to her Majesty; exhibiting the style and manner of Oriental most respectful gallantry. To the ornament of the veil of modesty and majesty, the enlightener of the canopy of chastity and magnificence, queen of the kingdoms of Europe, bright star of the constellation of glory and renown, to whom together with glory and prosperity, be health perpetual! rice from the husk for culinary purposes, after the grain is reaped, cannot be estimated at a sum inferior to one-fifth part of the value of the grain; whilst a similar operation can be performed in England, and in other European countries, at an expense not exceeding one-fortieth part of the value of the crop. Similar defects pervade every branch of Indian agriculture; and in no instances are their injurious consequences more manifestly exemplified, than in the general state of the cattle employed in the labours A of the field within these provinces. breed of strong and poweri black cattle is to be found in very few situations producing good pasture throughout the year; but the weak and inefficient condition of the cattle generally employed for agricul tural and other purposes, as well in Bengal, as in the upper provinces, camiot have escaped the notice of the most inattentive observer. Although a long time has elapsed since I have had the honour of giving that exalted personage an account of my health, whose known celebrity has been the cause of great pleasure and happiness to me; yet it is matter of great grief to me, that from the distance which separates us I feel myself withheld from personally presenting to that exalted personage, the tribute of respect and attachment which the writer and all his family cherish in their hearts for her; and therefore have taken the liberty to send by Sir Thomas Rumbold, a subject of her Majesty, a diamond seal-ring, in token of friendship, and I hope that as it is taken immediately from my own finger, to bemented in a considerable proportion by forwarded thither, her Majesty will conde- the introduction of many simple improve scend to wear it upon her's, as a mark of ments in the implements of agriculture, the pure and unchangeable fond wishes and in machinery, now in general use bear towards the English Queen, I intreat throughout Europe by these means, the the Almighty for the good health of her property of a large proportion of our me Majesty and children, as a cause of haptive subjects would be incre sed, and grapiness to the King, and of glory to the English nation-and may she be happy! INDIAN AGRICULTURE. The following remarks on the Agriculture of India, as it existed about ten years ago, may serve to shew that the most favoured climates are not always the most felicitous. Industry and intelligence, with the necessity for exerting them, may more than make amends for a smaller portion of fertility; and it cannot but give pleasure to every Briton, and to every British agriculturist, especially, to reflect on the number of advantages proposed to be conferred not on Britain, by India, but-on India, by Britain. The paper is part of an official record by the Governor General. Under the present system of Indian agriculture, with the advantage of a soil of uncommon fertility, and of a climate which yields a crop of some description to every season, the industry of a single ploughmau, however exerted, is insufficient to enable him to cultivate a greater extent of land within the year than seven acres; and the expense of separating the In the opinion of intelligent European gentlemen conversant with the subject, the profits of the landholder might be aug dually the comforts of affluence would be more generally diffused through the mast of the people. Adverting to the genius and habits of the natives of India, it cannot be expected that any attempts will ever be made by them to improve the system of agriculture practised for ages by their ancestors, u ess the example shall be given to 'hem by The government, and unless the personal advantages to be derived from such im provements, are found to succeed in practice, shall be clearly manifested to them. His Lordship proceeds to suggest improvements, by a better breed of black cattle-by a better system of husbandry➡ by the use of superior machines, by the introduction of the turuip husbandry,-by circulating the general systematic principles of the science, and by an experimental course of instruction, on a farm appropriated to the purpose. It is certain, that since that period the potatoe has been raised in India; but we are not aware that much more has been accomplished in favour of Indian Agriculture. Remarkable Death by the beak of a Bird. These were, among many other ResoAoroner's Inquest was held not long |lutions, passed August 6, 1814, at a Geago on the body of a young washer-neral Meeting of the Society at Columbo, man, who was found dead near Sir John Royd's house at Chowringee., On the in- His Excellency the Governor, President, quest it appeared that the deceased was in the Chair. They do equal honour to carrying a bundle of clothes on his head-both giver and receiver; and both are our that an adjutant [bird] called by the natives a Hürgerlah, or swallower of bones, darted countrymen in India. down on the deceased, and wounded the jugular vein, the loss of blood from which occasioned his death. The verdict was Accidental Death. Extract of a Letter from an Officer in Generul Martindell's Camp, at Nahun, dated 19th of May, 1815. Malabar Drama: Patriarch Job. Among other amusements lately presented to the company (June 4,) invited to the Kings House, at Columbo, on account of the rejoicings by which his Majesty's Birth Day was celebrated, was a Malabar From what Cazee Punt has informed us, play, given in compliment to the Moodethe Goorkhas are tributary to the Chinese: liars, and other dignitaries of the late Canevery third year they send Ambassadors dian Court. The chief character was the with several Lacks of Rupees as a tribute, great Hindoo Rajah, Arishantra, a most and this year they ought to have sent one. scrupulous lover of truth. His temptations This tribute originated in consequence of to utter a falshood, were the subjects of the the Goorkhas having attempted to seize drama. and the whole story bore a reBome villages, which were under the pro-markable resemblance to that of the Patection of the Chinese Government, and triarch Job. It was repeated a few days shewed an inclination to extend their con-afterwards to another company, and apquests in that direction. This conduct pears to be a popular performance. gave great cause of alarm to the Chinese.An army was fitted out and sent against these marauders. After several engagements, they were forced to retire into their own country-the Chinese followed them up so closely, that they were obliged to cry for quarter, and gladly entered into the terms offered them,-to pay a tribute of so many lacks of Rupees every third year. The Goorkhas finding they could not make any conquests in the Chinese direction, made an attempt on the opposite quarter, and in the year 1802-3 entered this country, and took possession of it, during the time the conquest of this territory was going on, the Rajah of Napaul was at Benares. CEYLON. Liberality of the Calcutta Bible Society, acknow ledged by the Ceylon Bible Society. Resolved, that the thanks of this Society be given to the Calcutta Auxiliary Bible Society, for the gift of 2000 copies of the Cingalese New Testament, and 830 copies of the Tamul New Testament, which their benevolent liberality has enabled this Society to distribute among the inhabitants of this Island, to whom the Scriptures in their native languages were almost unknown. Resolved, that the grateful thanks of this Society be offered to the Calcutta Auxiliary Bible Society, for their munificent contribution of 5000 Sicca Rupees in aid of the publication of the Scriptures in Cingalese. JAVA. Extracts from a The principle object of this discourse is, to detail the exertions made to acquire a perfect acquaintance with the country and the natives. Speaking of BANCA, says Governor RafAles, I have to report a collection of the most complete information regarding the position, geological structure and natural productions of that important island: the state of society has not been omitted in that investigation; and satisfactory data have been furnished, from which to estimate the present condition of for their progress and advancement in ciits inhabitants, as well as to deduce plans viiization and happiness. It is only during the late periods of the European establishments, that Banca has attracted notice. The discovery of the tin mines about the twelfth year of the last century, first gave it celebrity; but we can only date the commencement of scientific investigation, or European controul, from the time of its cession to the British government, in 1812. Dr. Horsefield has constructed the outlines of a map, on which are laid down the principal rivers, the mountains and ridges of hills, with the settlements of the Malays and Chinese, and the local subdivisions adopted by the original inhabitants. After completing a detailed geographical account of the island, and furnishing statistic tables of the population and produce, Dr. Horsefield proceeds to a narrative of the mineralogical appearances, as explanatory of the constitution of the mines, and of the geological history of the country. On the mineralogical constitution of Banca, he observes, that the direction of the island being from north-west to southeast, it follows, not only the direction of Sumatra and the Malayan peninsula, but | also the great chain of Asiatic mountains, one of the many branches of which terminates in Ceylon, while another, traversing Arakan, Pegu, the Malayan peninsula, aud probably Sumatra, sends off an inferior range through Banca and Billiton, where it be may considered to disappear. The elevated parts of Banca are observed to have the same constitution as the great continental chain, being composed principally of granite: after which occurs a species of rock which Dr. Horsefield terms red iron-stone, extensively distributed in situations of secondary elevation in single rocks, or in veins covering large tracts of country. Tracts composed of this rock are bounded by alluvial districts, which are! again subdivided into undulating hills, gradually rising on others of apparently prior formation, and such as are low and level, of recent origin, and bordering on the mouths of the rivers. Those districts which, occurring in juxta-position with the primitive portions, fill that space between these latter and the veins of red iron-stone, or, again, between those and the alluvial parts are stratified; and the strata uniformly horizontally arranged. of the ore. There is no necessity in Banca, as in countries where the metal lies concealed in deep veins, to have recourse to difficult operations, or expensive machinery; and the process, indeed, requires so little previous instruction, that it is mostly performed by persons whose only qualification is a robust constitution. A favourable spot being selected, the pit is sketched out, a caual conducted from the nearest rivulet, and then, the miners excavate the soil until they arrive at the stratum containing the ore, which is next deposited in heaps near the water, so as to be placed conveniently for washing: the aqueduct is lined with the bark of large trees, and, a stronger current being produced by the admission of more water, the heaps are thrown in, and agitated by the workmen; the particles of ore subsiding through their gravity, and those of common earth being carried away by the curreut. When a sufficient quantity of ore is thus accumulated, the process of smelting commences: this is also very minutely and accurately described by Dr Horsefield. It is unnecessary to observe, that almost all the operations connected with the process of mining and refining of metal are performed by Chinese. In his botanical pursuits, Dr. Horsefield has been peculiarly successful, his descriptions comprising a collection of upwards of five hundred plants, of which sixteen appear to be of doubtful genera. An account of the inhabitants, their mode of life and occupations, the state of agriculture, and the history of the different settlements, is introduced into this valuable report, which I hope will shortly appear in print, under the patronage of the EastIndia Company. The Inhabitants of Banca consist of Ma. lays, Chinese, and Indigenes, of whom the It is through these horizontal strata that latter are subdivided into Orang Gunung the tin-ore is represented to be disserui- (men of the mountains) or Mountaineers; nated; and as far as has hitherto been re- and Rayads or Orang Laut (men of the marked, it appears to be either immedi-sea) or sea people. The Malays are few in ately under the surface, or at no great dis- number, of a peaceable but indolent dispotance from it. Another section of the report contains a view of the tin-mines, exhibiting a general enumeration of those worked at present, or in former periods, with an account of the process of mining, and the economy of the mines. The process of mining in Banca is remarkable for its simplicity. It consists in an excavation of a square or oblong form, made by digging perpendicularly to the beds or strata containing the ore, and in a | proper application of the water to facilitate the labours of the miners, and the washing sition, and of little importance in the af fairs of the island. The Chinese in Banca preserve their original habits of industry, enterprise, and perseverance; they are the most useful among the inhabitants, and indispensable in the labours of the mines, The general character of the Orang Gunung, or Mountaineers, the original, and, perhaps, most interesting portion of the population, is rude simplicity. Dispersed over large tracts in the interior of the country, they live nearly in a state of nature, but submit without resistance to the general regulations which have been esta |