though containing many hundreds of persons within its walls, every day from nine in the morning till six in the evening; one would sometimes think it is not at all inhabited, because there are so many passages and windings that extend to every part of the house, that a stranger sometimes in going through does not see a single soul, neither will he be able to find out his way without enquiring of some one he may happen to meet. In the Museum there are a great many curiosities, principally from India, China, and Burmah, consisting of paintings, ivory carved work, and other articles, models, illustrations of vehicles, and conveyances made use of in India, and trophies taken in the battles.

In one there is an extensive collection of stuffed Indian Birds, and beasts, and very beautiful specimens of butterflies and other insects. The library is full of works printed in the English and oriental languages, relating to India; there are also many Persian manuscripts and Chinese books; we saw this Museum two or three times, and were very much pleased and interested in viewing things and productions of our own country. This Museum is very liberally thrown open for the public inspection every week, and no gratuity is expected by the person in charge of it. This example is worthy of imitation in many other public places in London. In order to see the Museum on the other days of the week, a Director's order is requisite.

Before taking leave of the India House, we must endeavour to remove an erroneous impression under which many of our fellow brethren in India labour; we think we should be doing great injustice to our own feelings, and fail in duty to our country, did we not touch upon this subject. It is thought in India, that there is a disinclination on the part of the government to give offices of trust and emolument to the natives. We are quite prepared to say, that this is a great mistake, and we could by our own experience as well as what has passed in England before our own eyes, prove that no such feeling is in existence among the Court of Directors, or, we may venture to say, among the members of the several local governments in India; we have been in England a sufficient time to form an opinion on this point; we studied under the patronage and protection of the honourable company, and during the whole time we have been in England, have received from the Honourable Court of Directors, individually and collectively, uniform encouragement, kindness and facility, towards, accomplishing our object, and we can assert that there is every disposition to encourage native talent and genius—to give our countrymen situations of honour and trust, and to promote in every way the welfare of the nativesto prove it, we would point out our cousin Ardaseer Cursetjee, whom the honourable court appointed chief engineer and inspector of the steam foundry, at Bombay, in August last; we

think every native ought to rejoice at this, it will convince them that talent alone is recognized, without any regard to dress, colour, or religion.

We therefore assure our friends in India, that if they would only prove themselves capable and qualified for conducting any post of honour and confidence, their services will be cheerfully accepted by the government, and that they will meet with the just reward their conduct may merit.

CHAPTER XXVIII.

STEAM MANUFACTORIES IN LONDON.

During our sojourn in England we had the pleasure of becoming acquainted through our cousin Ardaseer Cursetjee, to the eminent engineers of London, Messrs. John and Samuel Seawards who are the manufacturers of steam engines particularly those for steam vessels. Our cousin studied the steam engine scientifically in their Foundery, and by the able instructions of these gentlemen he made himself qualified in a short time to carry on the duties of an engineer, and is appointed chief inspector of the Honourable East India Company's steam factory at Bombay.

During our relative's sojourn we often visited this establishment, it is situated on the north bank of the Thames about three miles from London Bridge and nearly opposite to Deptford. It is an extensive establishment, not inferior to any in London, and there are constantly employed upwards of five hundred workmen and boys. The machinery for turning, boring, planning, and other various purposes are worked by a steam

engine; they are very numerous and of the first rate description. The general arrangements of the shops for the different departments of business are very good, particularly the iron foundery in which large castings can be made with facility. The shop for fitting and erecting the engines previous to their being fixed on board the vessels is sufficiently extensive to receive eight or nine pairs of the largest size at one time, and a very fine smithy containing between twenty and thirty large smiths' forges. There is also a noble wharf attached to the works with a great depth of water alongside, in which steam frigates of 1100 tons burthen have remained during the shipment of the engines and machinery; on the wharf is fixed a powerful pair of sheers (a particular description of crane with three moveable legs) 80 feet high, capable of lifting the weight of 50 tons.

The boilers, which are made in large and heavy pieces are manufactured at a separate establishment belonging to the same firm, which is fitted with extensive machinery for that purpose.

Messrs. Seaward and Co., have made several improvements in marine engines, the principal of which is, the arrangement by which the moving power of the engine is placed immediately over the cylinder, doing away with the usual cast iron framing sway beams, side rods and cross leads. They are called the "Gorgon Engines" from their being first applied to the "Gorgon" Frigate