Statham, in his "Indian Recollections," says, "At Allahabad where the streams of the Ganges and the Jumna unite, the country for miles around is considered sacred ground; and so great is the number of pilgrims, who resort thither for bathing, that the vizier has received in one year, half a lac of rupees for permission to enjoy the benefit of immersion in its sacred flood. Many lives are there sacrificed annually. The persons who usually fall victims to their superstitions are females, who come from all parts of the country to perform the tragic deed, and who show a firmness of purpose worthy a better cause. "Several of them, accompanied by the priests, embark in a boat, and proceed to the spot where the streams unite, when each of the victims in succession descends from the boat into the water, with a large earthen pan fastened to her body, and is supported by a priest till she has filled the pan with water, when the priest lets go his hold and she sinks to rise no more, amidst the applause of the spectators, while the Brahmins enjoy the[254] scene, and extol the fortitude of the last victim to her who is about to follow." The cow is an animal held sacred among the Hindoos, and the dung is used in the temples and other places as a species of holy ointment. The Ganges empties itself into the bay of Bengal by two large channels, and by a number of smaller size. On the river Hoogly or western channel stands Calcutta, the capital of British India, 100 miles from the sea. The length of the town is about six miles, extending along the banks of the river. As you approach Calcutta from the sea, it has the appearance of a vast and beautifully arranged city. Tall and elegant houses ornamented with spacious pillars and verandas meet the eye along the whole length of the town, and completely shutting out from view the "Black Town," or the native town of Calcutta, which is composed of low dirty huts, made of earth baked in the sun, placed along the narrow and crooked streets. Occasionally, however, a larger one is seen which denotes the residence of some wealthy native, yet this like all others is entirely devoid of neatness. We employed natives to discharge our cargo as they could better endure the sun's heat. Taking on a cargo of rice, we received orders to sail for Canton, and proceeded down the river, and passed Tiger island, so called, from the great abundance of tigers which are found there. They occasionally swim from the island to the main land, which is about two miles distant. A few years since a fire swept over the island and almost entirely drove them from it. Many were killed[255] by the flames, and in the general confusion many were drowned, while vast numbers were killed by the ships' crews, that were stationed around. The ninth day after our departure the pilot left us and resumed his station on the shoals to await the next ship that might require his services.