The _Taksāl_, or Mint, a fine edifice of the Doric order, was planned
and erected by Colonel Forbes, the present Mint master. The wide-ranging
buildings of the new Mint, with their tall chimneys, appear to great
advantage when viewed from the river. The Bengal Government set the
first example of introducing extensive machinery, in the erection of the
new Mint of Calcutta, which is filled with the best specimens of the
skill and genius of Messrs. Watt and Co.; and the politeness of the Mint
and Assay masters insures easy access to view the fine and ample
machinery.
A Chinese junk on the right adds greatly to the picturesque beauty of
the river, on which Arab _grabs_, and vessels from all parts of the
world, are crowded together. An eye is painted on each side the bows of
the Chinese junk, to enable the spirit of the vessel to see her way
across the deep.
In the foreground is the hulk of a country ship under repair, beyond
which are three vessels from Malacca.