The Town Hall, a fine building, is rendered conspicuous by its Doric portico; it was erected by the inhabitants of Calcutta in 1804: the Government Treasury succeeds it, and in the distance is the spire of St. Andrew’s Church, in the Lall Bazār. The Government House, the principal building in Calcutta, was erected about the year 1804, during the administration of the Marquis Wellesley; the architect was Captain Wyatt, of the Engineers. The entrances, or great gateways, are each crowned by a lion, and are continually the resting-places of the _Hargīla_, the gigantic crane, commonly called the Adjutant. The Column on the right was erected to the memory of Major-General Sir David Auchterlony, on account of his distinguished services. It is 160 feet in height, and stands on the Esplanade in front of the town. _Hargīlas_ or Adjutants are numerous in the Fort, and so tame, that they will allow men to pass very near them and show no signs of fear; they stalk about the Esplanade, and rest in the most picturesque manner on the highest buildings in the city. The officer, with his bearer holding a _chatr_, or native umbrella, to protect him from the sun, is watching some monkeys; and a _griffin_, as a young cadet is called for the first year, is amusing himself with teazing one. [Illustration] PRINSEP’S GHĀT. The audience are now requested to imagine they have embarked upon the Hoogly, off Prinsep’s Ghāt, the first landing-place of importance that is met with on approaching the City of Palaces. James Prinsep, Esq., died in 1840, and his fellow-citizens in Calcutta erected this ghāt to his memory, as having been one of the leaders of science in India, the promoter of every good work, a faithful and useful public servant, and a warm and true friend. The building in the distance is St. Peter’s, the garrison Church in the Fort, and the vessel passing up the river is complimented by a salute from its battery. Beyond the flag-staff is the Semaphore, or telegraph, a high tower from which intelligence is conveyed by signals. THE WATER GATE. The Water Gate of Fort William is now before you, and the horsemen are on the Esplanade,—a road extending by the river side, from Chandpaul Ghāt, to Garden Reach. This is the favourite ride and drive, during the early morning and in the cool of the evening, of all the inhabitants of Calcutta. A _dinghī_, a native boat covered with matting, is going up the river, filled with _gharas_, or jars of coarse, red earthenware, used for holding water.