BENGAL PAST AND PRESENT.
Bengal Past and Present. (Calcutta General Printing Company. Rs.2-8.)—This is the fifth number of the "Journal of the Calcutta Historical Society," a quarterly publication. The first article concludes the "Short History of Old Fort William," the scene of the Black Hole tragedy. It is not a little strange that such an event should not have been commemorated ; but it is a fact that the existing memorial is not older than the present century. The truth is that the site was forgotten. The following article presents us Bishop Wilson of Calcutta in the character of an energetic advocate of steam communication between India and England. It does not surprise us to see this fresh proof of his active and practical temper. Further on in the number we find an account of the "Opening of the East India Railway." This first of the peninsular railways was opened in 1851. It was hoped that six hundred and forty-seven miles would be completed by 1857. Dig alder visum. In 1857 the Mutiny came about. There are other matters of interest, not the least important among them being a Life of Hadji Mahomed Mohsin (1730-1812). He was a wealthy native of Hugh, originally of Persian origin, who left his property for religious and educational purposes. An annual sum of 1.8.57,000 is now used partly in supporting Madrassalis, where an orthodox Arabic education is given, partly in paying two-thirds
of the fees of Mohammedan students in Calcutta. At one time the money went to an " undenomination.al " College, but it was found that in twelve hundred pupils in the English aide there were thirty-one Mohammedans to nine hundred and forty-eight Hindus. This is a curious proof of Hindu energy. They lose nothing for want of claiming it.
Previous page
