with Europeans, being Mussulmans, and, in many cases, very scrupulous in
the observance of whatever forms are ordained respecting viands,
contact, ablution, &c., it may be reasonably concluded, that they rather
deem themselves to be united according to a tolerated extension of the
foregoing licences, than as retained prostitutes. Therefore, when we
consider received opinions, and local peculiarities, we may admit, that,
even in what we term concubinage, there may be some traits exempting
individuals from being confounded among that mass of prostitution, of
which we are apt to form our judgments by what we see of that depravity,
from which it appears to be, among Europeans, nearly inseparable!
Without at all entering upon the defence of whatever may be inhibited by
the Christian religion, or be inimical to that superiority so justly
yielded by society at large, as well as by the legislature, to married
women, it may be permitted me to state a few matters which will, in the
minds of the liberal, appear to be some excuse for what might else be
deemed libidinous, or licentious. The number of European women to be
found in Bengal, and its dependencies, cannot amount to two hundred and
fifty, while the European male inhabitants of respectability, including
military officers, may be taken at about four thousand. The case speaks
for itself; for, even if disposed to marry, the latter have not the
means. It is easy enough to say, that if marriages were more frequent in
India, more ladies would adventure thither; but the impediments that
stand in the way of ‘a consummation devoutly to be wished,’ will not be
found to yield so readily to our desires. It should be understood, that
the generality of young ladies, though they may certainly comply with
the will of their parents, are by no means partial to visiting India.
The out-fit is not a trifle: no lady can be landed there, under
respectable circumstances throughout, for less than five hundred pounds.
Then, again, she should have friends to receive her; for she cannot else
obtain even a lodging, or the means of procuring subsistence. It is not
like a trip, _per hoy_, to Margate, where nothing but a well-lined purse
is requisite; and where, if you do not meet with friends, you may easily
form acquaintances. Further, some allowance must be made for the
climate; which by no means suits every constitution, and invariably
oppresses all whose minds are ill at ease, or who have not the means of
withstanding that influence, so particularly hostile to persons newly
importing from Europe.
Let us, however, suppose all these things to be done; and that some
worthy dame welcomes the fair adventurer to her house, with the friendly
intention of affording an asylum, until some stray bachelor may bear
away the prize. We have known some instances of this, and, in
particular, of a lady making it, in a manner, her study to replenish her
hospitable mansion with objects of this description; thereby acquiring
the invidious, or sarcastic, designation of ‘Mother Coupler’. But such
characters are rare; and it generally happens, that those who have the
will, do not possess the means, of thus rendering the most essential of
services to young women, who, we may fairly say, are, in this case,
transported to India, there to take their chance! That several have been
thus sent, or, have thus adventured, round the Cape, cannot be denied;
in any other country they would have experienced the most poignant
distress, both of body and of mind; but, such has ever been the
liberality evinced towards this class of unfortunate persons, that, in
most instances, prompt, and effectual, relief, has been administered. It
would be easy to adduce cases, wherein the most bountiful subscriptions
have been made in behalf of ladies; who, by obeying the summons of
husbands, or of parents, have, on arriving in the river, found
themselves to be widows, or orphans! Surely, where these distressing
events are by no means uncommon, there will ever exist a certain
reluctance, even among such as may have relatives in India: a reluctance
which will rarely be decreased by the additional consideration, that,
when the vessel may arrive, the parent, &c., though alive, may be full a
thousand miles distant from the metropolis, and be unable to reach it
under two or three months! Here we see formidable objections against a
lady’s proceeding to India; but one, not less powerful, remains to be
stated, namely, the immense expence ever attendant upon wedlock in that
quarter. Such is the encrease of domestics, of cloathing, of
accommodation and, particularly, in keeping a carriage, without which no
comfort can be expected, that it is utterly beyond the means of full
four persons in five to receive an European lady into their houses. Even
on a penurious scale, the difference will amount to full three hundred
pounds yearly; but if, as is certainly desirable, it be conducted on a
more appropriate footing, double that sum must be allowed. Add to this,
the peremptory necessity that exists, for sending every child to Europe
at a very early age; the expence of which is never to be computed under
a hundred and fifty pounds. To complete the difficulties attendant on
the occasion, it is a thousand to one, but, that, at the end of a few
years, the mother is compelled, by those peculiar infirmities
inseparable from her situation in that climate, to accompany her infants
to Europe; there to seek the restoration of health, and to console
herself among her little offspring, until the father may,
notwithstanding those heavy demands created by the wants of his family,
be able to save sufficient money to repair to the objects of his
affection. This is no exaggeration: it is to be witnessed annually; and
may be seen attended with the most distressing effects to most
meritorious individuals, who unfortunately allow love to walk in at the
door, without observing that poverty is treading upon her train.
I trust this detail will convince, even the sceptic, that matrimony is
not so practicable in India as in Europe; and that, (unless, indeed,
among those platonic few whose passions are unnaturally obedient,) is
impossible for the generality of European inhabitants to act in exact
conformity with those excellent doctrines, which teach us to avoid
‘fornication, and all other deadly sins.’ There are certain situations,
and times, in which the law must be suffered to sleep; since its
enforcement would neither be easy nor wise: such is the instance now
before us. Should it be argued, that, rather than retain a concubine, it
were more proper to marry a native of India, I must then adduce the
great discouragement wisely held out by government against such a
practice; observing, that the Court of Directors long ago set their
faces against the transmission of native orphans, (_i.e._ those born of
native mothers,) and, that they allow no native of India to be taken as
a passenger on board any vessel proceeding to England, without a deposit
of 500 sicca rupees, or security to that amount, lest the party should
become a burthen to the Company. Further, no lady, native of India, even
though her father should have been of the highest rank in the King’s or
Company’s service, and though she be married to a person of that
description, is ever invited to those assemblies given by the governor
on public occasions. Hence, such women, whatever may be their merits,
come under the censure of public characters, and, of course, are in a
manner proscribed. This, however, does not extend to the European
soldiery, who are allowed to marry native women; many of whom conduct
themselves, when thus situated, in the most unexceptionable manner.
Whether married, or not, each soldier is generally provided with a
companion, who takes care of his linen, aids in cleaning his
accoutrements, dresses his hair, and sometimes proves no bad hand at a
beard! These doxies do, certainly, now and then, kick up a famous _row_
in the barracks; but, on the whole, may be considered highly
serviceable; especially during illness, at which time their attendance
is invaluable.
Very few European women are to be seen with the regiments in India; such
as adventure thither, soon fall victims to the climate, which nothing
but the most vigorous constitutions, backed by temperance and uncommon
prudence, can enable the sex to resist. Hence, the few that survive,
though they present rather a masculine appearance, find it expedient to
confine themselves much within the barracks; keeping out of the sun, and
avoiding the use of strong liquors. The children of such women usually
prove remarkably hardy; whereas, the issue of an European father by a
native woman, is usually of an effeminate, weakly constitution, and of a
disposition by no means entitled to commendation.
It is peculiarly unfortunate, that a very great portion of these
creoles, mestees, or what not, cannot be provided for in some manner
serviceable to the state. Their numbers are considerable, especially of
females, who are allowed to remain with the orphan institution, often to
a very mature age: some are, to be sure, disposed of in services, where
they become attendants, or ladies’ maids, in respectable families; but,
for the most part, no certain provision is made for them. Probably it is
owing to reflection, as much as to their arriving at puberty, that so
many of these unfortunate girls become insane. This does not occur among
the boys; who are either apprenticed to some good business, if of the
upper school, (in which only the children of officers are admitted,) or,
if of the lower school, (wherein the children of the non-commissioned
and privates are brought up,) are draughted, at a proper age, to the
several regiments, both native and European, there to serve as drummers
and fifers. While upon the subject, I shall offer to my readers the
outline of the Orphan Institution, now so intimately blended with the
military establishments throughout India, that the Company make it a
part of their regulations, for all persons admitted into their military
service, to become, _ipso facto_, subscribers to the orphan fund.
This charitable institution, which does singular honor to the Company’s
army, owes its origin to the assiduity of a few officers, who, in 1782,
framed a code, founded upon the result of voluntary subscription, for
making due provision for the children of such officers as might demise,
without leaving sufficient property to provide for their children,
whether legitimate or otherwise. Among the gentlemen who suggested this
undertaking, the present Colonel William Kirkpatrick was conspicuous: he
was at that time secretary to the late General Giles Stibbert, who then
commanded the Bengal army, and aided the institution by every public
means, as well as by his private influence and bounty.
The following were among the preliminary articles. ‘1st. That each
subaltern, and assistant surgeon, contribute monthly the sum of three
rupees; each captain, and surgeon, six rupees; and each major, nine
rupees.’
‘2dly. That, to prevent difficulty and expence in the collections, as
well as to secure their amount against all accidents, the officers do
consent, _irrevocably_, to the deduction of the specified contributions
from their monthly pay.’
‘4th. That a governor, deputy-governor, and twelve managers, be
appointed to conduct the business of the society.’
‘12th. That no orphan be admitted on the foundation, who shall be
possessed by inheritance, bequest, or otherwise, of a sum exceeding
5,000 sicca rupees.’ (£425.)
‘l3th. That the trustees, or guardians, of all orphans making
application for their admission on the foundation, be required to make
affidavit, before a justice of the peace, touching the true amount or
value of the monies, or estate, which they hold in trust for such
orphans; to the end, that the management, besides being satisfied that
they are proper objects for the institution, may be enabled to judge
what assistance they will need from the society, when, their education
being completed, the period shall arrive for settling them in the world:
these affidavits to be transmitted to the management, along with the
application for admission.’
‘15th. That all orphans now in the country, coming under the description
set forth, be admitted on the foundation, so soon as the management may
judge the state of the fund equal to their maintenance.’
‘19th. That the orphans be assembled together at the presidency, either
in one or more houses, as the management shall find necessary; and, that
proper servants be appointed to attend them.’
‘25th. That, on the female orphans attaining the age of twelve, they be
placed apprentices to creditable milliners, mantua-makers, stay-makers
or otherwise, as the management, or their agents, shall determine; and,
that, after serving their time, they shall obtain from the society the
necessary help towards enabling them to set up in business. That should
they, at the period of their engaging in business, be disposed to enter
into the matrimonial state, they shall be further entitled to receive
such marriage portions, or dowries, as the management, or their agents
in England, (whose approbation of the connexion shall be previously
yielded,) may think proper to grant.’ In the year 1789, it was resolved,
that ‘when the orphan daughters of officers, under the protection of the
society, are addressed by persons in independent circumstances, such
persons be required to make a settlement, as a condition; without which
the managers’ consent is not to be given, even if the offer should be,
in other respects, unexceptionable.’
Notwithstanding the institution was placed under the guidance and
control of men highly respectable, and perfectly qualified for the
charge, and that the whole of the officers, (with the exception of, I
believe, not more than six,) subscribed towards its support, the object
would have been defeated, had not the Company contributed liberally
towards its efficiency; and, after all, it would most certainly have
been subject, either to diminution, or, eventually, to bankruptcy, about
the year 1796, had not the army been newly modelled, and an immense
addition been made to the funds, by an unprecedented promotion and the
ascent of the superior ranks to subscribe in proportion to their pay:
otherwise, all above the rank of major would have been exempt. The
Company had, in former times, allowed for each child born to an European
soldier, the sum of five rupees monthly; but that indulgence was, at one
period, wholly done away: afterwards, when the institution was extended
to the non-commissioned and privates, three rupees were allowed monthly
for every child retained with the parents, according to the liberty
granted of retaining them until completing their third year; after
which, they were peremptorily taken to the lower school, where they were
at first allowed for by the Company at the rate of three rupees, but
subsequently at five rupees each, per mensem. It is not easy to describe
those affecting scenes which present themselves, when the children are
taken from their parents, in order to be sent to the foundation! It is
true, the latter know full well that every justice will be done to their
offspring, and they cannot but express their sense of the kind intention
of their benefactors; but, to part from a child, whatever may be its
complexion, is a most painful struggle between duty and nature! I have
repeatedly witnessed the distress of mothers, on such occasions, and
lamented that the case admitted of neither consolation nor relief!
The good policy of making some provision for the children of the
soldiery, is indisputably good; they could not, with propriety, be sent
to Europe, both because the expence would be disproportionate to the
means of their parents; and, that, in time, a very extensive importation
of persons of color would take place among us. The boys are now amply
provided for; but the situation of the girls is truly lamentable. It is
wonderful, that the Society have never established any factory, in which
their minds, as well as their hands, could be employed, while their
maintenance would be paid for by the produce of their industry. The only
argument I ever could hear urged against such a measure, was, that the
price of labor being so cheap throughout India, there could arise but
little profit from the exertions of the orphans. My opponents forgot,
that where labor is cheap, provisions must be cheap also; consequently,
that, under proper guidance, enough might be earned to defray the
expence of provision for the whole establishment. I am confident, that,
if the refuse, or _ferret_ cloths, manufactured for the Company, were to
be handed over, in such quantities as might be in demand, to the female
orphans, for the purpose of being worked up into wearing apparel, such
as shirts, under-shirts, drawers, pocket-handkerchiefs, neck ditto,
upper and under waistcoats, small-cloaths, &c. there would always be so
extensive a sale, especially among the lower classes of inhabitants, the
sea-faring people, and the fresh arrivals from Europe, that no stock
would remain on hand. It is a notorious fact, that if raw silk, after
being wound off from the _cocoons_, or pods, were to be given to the
orphans to finish, and to reel properly for the Europe market, there
would be an immense saving both of the article itself, and of the
expences in every part of the adventure; while the institution could not
fail to derive the most solid advantages. To prove this, look at the
number of mills established in various parts of England, for preparing
raw silk for the throwster, &c.: in all these, a portion of refuse is
found; on which, however, as well as on the perfect quantity, a very
heavy duty has been paid, whereby the commodity is considerably enhanced
in price, without being a benefit to the merchant; who is, indeed,
rather injured, by the necessity he is under of demanding more for his
fabrics, and thus, either deterring purchasers altogether, of enabling
the traders of other countries to under-sell him.
But, in Calcutta, a city carrying on so large a trade, surely there must
be an infinite variety of speculations open to the choice of the
management: the lighter classes of sails for the shipping and small
craft, the making of hammocks, beddings, &c., dresses for patients in
the hospitals, sheets, pillow-cases, book-binding to a certain extent,
and a number of other employments, might be peremptorily claimed, as
exclusive privileges for the orphans. Let it not be said, that such
would interfere with the natives following similar professions; on the
contrary, let us endeavor to have our whole establishment, of every
description, exempted from their aid, or interference. I would have
every cartridge-case, and the greater part of the army cloathing,
together with all, excepting the leather, and heavy canvas-work of
tents, performed at the orphan school; the Company making due
remuneration for the work thus performed. The fact lies in a nut-shell!
If, with such extensive concerns, requiring so much manual labor, the
Company do not give employ to five or six hundred girls, from three to
twenty years of age, the fault must assuredly lie rather among the
management than with Government; to which the making some provision for
the maintenance of that portion of the establishment dependant entirely
upon the Company for support, must be a desideratum: it can only require
to be pointed out, to insure both acquiescence and encouragement.
The Court of Directors very prudently objected to some of the original
articles, wherein the founders appear to have been rather too sanguine,
and to have waived several considerations of a political nature. Thus,
the Company declined to warrant admission into their service of such
boys as might appear eligible as cadets; the measure was incompatible
with the patronage of the Court; and, being indefinitely expressed,
would have subjected the Company to a pledge, that even the sons of the
native women might be considered eligible. It was, therefore, prudently
resolved, that ‘the children to be sent to Europe for education, should
be the legitimate offspring of European parents only.’
The salaries of the several persons employed in the charge of those on
the foundation, are munificent. The house at Kidderpore, about a mile
and a half from Fort-William, is paid for at the rate of £675. per
annum, and the monthly disbursements for school-masters and mistresses,
with their assistants, and the several servants employed about the
premises, in various capacities, amount to full £l2,000. yearly. The
children are boarded at the following rates: The sons of officers at
about £14. yearly, on average; the daughters of officers at about the
same rate; the master and mistress having, respectively, always a
certain number daily at their own tables. The children of
non-commissioned officers and soldiers are maintained at an average
expence, for diet, of about £5. each. The secretary is allowed £450. for
salary, house-rent, candles, and, other petty charges.
With respect to making provision for the sons of officers, there seems
but little doubt: the great encrease of mercantile establishments in
Calcutta, and in general throughout the country, has opened a wide field
for the employment of numbers conversant with the Hindui and Bengallee
languages, (which the orphans acquire habitually,) and with common
accounts. It is to be lamented, that so few, if any, are sent on board
the pilot-schooners, according to a clause in the original institution,
or as mates on board the country-traders. They certainly would be far
better qualified, for such situations, than Europeans, who are totally
ignorant of the vernacular tongue, and whose constitutions are by no
means so well adapted to the climate. With respect to placing creoles of
any description in authority, whether civil or military, there can be
but one opinion; since their admission, into either the one or the
other, could not fail to lessen that respect, and deference, which ought
most studiously to be exacted, on every occasion, from the natives of
every rank.
The expences attendant upon sending children from India to Europe, are
very considerable: few commanders of Indiamen will take a child for less
than 800 sicca rupees, equal to £100.; and, even then, some attendant
must be provided, whose passage will probably amount to as much more.
The best mode is, for several parents to hire a small cabin between
decks, and to send a woman in charge of their united families, to the
number, perhaps, of five or six little ones; all of whom may be thus
duly attended, at far less expence than if each were sent under a
separate charge. Few Europeans’ children are kept in India beyond their
third or fourth year; and it is generally an object that the small-pox,
or vaccination, the measles, and the hooping-cough, should have been
passed previous to embarkation; lest infection should take place on
board, in consequence of the seamen, &c., having been among persons
laboring under those complaints. It is, indeed, likewise a matter of
policy, considering the heavy expence, and the trouble attendant, to
have all those dangerous diseases out of the way, previous to shipping
the children for England; where they might else, on landing, be carried
off by them, thus rendering all their parents’ anxiety, and possibly
their ill-spared disbursements, of no avail.