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.
The Governor-General’s pleasure boat, called the _Sona makhī_, or golden
fly, is moored beyond; she has beautiful accommodations, and is
perfectly suited to the river and the climate. From this point is seen
the Government House: the edifice is a noble one, and particularly well
adapted in its plan and interior arrangements to the climate. The
external view is grand and imposing, and it is a fit and proper
residence for the supreme ruler of our Indian possessions. Its two
entrances or gateways are shown, and the line of houses, inhabited by
Europeans, in Esplanade Row, in front of which is the Auchterlony
Monument.
The long line of vessels so closely moored off the bank, are boats,
called Budjerows; they are commanded by a native called a _Sarhang_ or
_Mānghī_, and carry 12, 14, 16, or 18 oars, and are generally used by
persons going to the upper provinces.