按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页，按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页，按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部！
————未阅读完？加入书签已便下次继续阅读！
European contractors were 〃interlopers；〃 who introduced the most valuable cultivation and processes into India； and yet with whom the 〃covenanted〃 Residents were often at war。 The Residents had themselves liberty of private trade； and unscrupulous men abused it。 Clive had been hurried out thirty years before to check the abuse； which was ruining not only the Company's investments but the people。 It had so spread on his departure that even judges and chaplains shared in the spoils till Cornwallis interfered。 In the case of Mr。 G。 Udny and purely commercial agents the evil was reduced to a minimum； and the practice had been deliberately sanctioned by Sir John Shore on the ground that it was desirable to make the interests of the Company and of individuals go hand in hand。
The days when Europe got its cotton cloth from India； calling it 〃calico；〃 from Calicut； and its rich yellow silks； have long since passed； although the latter are still supplied in an inferior form； and the former is once more raising its head； from the combination of machinery and cheap labour。 For the old abuses of the Company the Government by Parliament has to some extent atoned by fostering the new cultures of tea； coffee； and cinchona； jute and wheat。 The system of inducing the ryots to cultivate by advances； protected by a stringent contract law； still exists in the case of opium。 The indigo culture system of Carey's time broke down in 1860 in the lower districts； where； following the Company itself； the planter made cash advances to the peasant； who was required to sow indigo on land which he held as a tenant but often as a proprietor； to deliver it at a fixed rate； and to bear the risk of the crop as well as the exactions of the factory servants。 It still exists in the upper districts of Bihar； especially in Tirhoot； on a system comparatively free from economic objections。
The plant known as 〃Indigofera Tinctoria〃 is sown in March in soil carefully prepared； grows to about 5 feet； is cut down early in July； is fermented in vats； and the liquor is beaten till it precipitates the precious blue dye； which is boiled； drained； cut in small cakes； and dried。 From first to last the growth and the manufacture are even more precarious than most tropical crops。 An even rainfall； rigorous weeding； the most careful superintendence of the chemical processes； and conscientious packing； are necessary。 One good crop in three years will pay where the factory is not burdened by severe interest on capital； one every other year will pay very well。 Personally Carey had more than the usual qualifications of a successful planter； scientific knowledge； scrupulous conscientiousness and industry； and familiarity with the native character； so soon as he acquired the special experience necessary for superintending the manufacture。 That experience he spared no effort to gain at once。
〃1st； 2nd； and 3rd July。Much engaged in the necessary business of preparing our works for the approaching season of indigo…making； which will commence in about a fortnight。 I had on the evening of each of these days very precious seasons of fervent prayer to God。 I have been on these evenings much drawn out in prayer for my dear friends at Leicester； and for the Society that it may be prosperous； likewise for the ministers of my acquaintance； not only of the Baptist but other denominations。 I was engaged for the churches in America and Holland； as well as England； and much concerned for the success of the Gospel among the Hindoos。 At present I know not of any success since I have been here。 Many say that the Gospel is the word of truth； but they abound so much in flattery and encomiums； which are mere words of course； that little can be said respecting their sincerity。 The very common sins of lying and avarice are so universal also； that no European who has not witnessed it can form any idea of their various appearances： they will stoop to anything whatsoever to get a few cowries； and lie on every occasion。 O how desirable is the spread of the Gospel！
〃4th July。Rather more flat； perhaps owing to the excessive heat； for in the rainy season； if there be a fine day； it is very hot indeed。 Such has been this day； and I was necessitated to be out in it from morning till evening； giving necessary directions。 I felt very much fatigued indeed； and had no spirits left in the evening； and in prayer was very barren。。。
〃9th July to 4th Aug。Employed in visiting several factories to learn the process of indigo…making。 Had some very pleasant seasons at Malda； where I preached several times； and the people seemed much affected with the Word。 One day； as Mr。 Thomas and I were riding out； we saw a basket hung in a tree； in which an infant had been exposed； the skull remained； the rest having been devoured by ants。〃
Success in the indigo culture was indeed never possible in Mudnabati。 The factory stood on the river Tangan； within what is now the district of Dinajpoor； thirty miles north of Malda。 To this day the revenue surveyors of Government describe it as low and marshy； subject to inundation during the rains； and considered very unhealthy。 Carey had not been there a fortnight when he had to make this record：
〃5th； 6th； 7th July。Much employed in settling the affairs of the buildings； etc。； having been absent so long； and several of our managing and principal people being sick。 It is indeed an awful time here with us now； scarcely a day but some are seized with fevers。 It is； I believe； owing to the abundance of water； there being rice…fields all around us； in which they dam up the water； so that all the country hereabouts is about a foot deep in water； and as we have rain； though moderate to what I expected the rainy season to be； yet the continual moisture occasions fevers in such situations where rice is cultivated。。。Felt at home and thankful these days。 O that I may be very useful！ I must soon learn the language tolerably well； for I am obliged to converse with the natives every day； having no other persons here except my family。〃
Soon in September； the worst of all the months in Bengal； he himself was brought near to the grave by a fever； one of the paroxysms continuing for twenty…six hours without intermission； 〃when providentially Mr。 Udny came to visit us； not knowing that I was ill； and brought a bottle of bark with him。〃 He slowly recovered； but the second youngest child； Peter； a boy of five； was removed by dysentery； and caste made it long difficult to find any native to dig his grave。 But of this time the faithful sufferer could write：
〃Sometimes I enjoyed sweet seasons of self…examination and prayer； as I lay upon my bed。 Many hours together I sweetly spent in contemplating subjects for preaching； and in musing over discourses in Bengali； and when my animal spirits were somewhat raised by the fever； I found myself able to reason and discourse in Bengali for some hours together； and words and phrases occurred much more readily than when I was in health。 When my dear child was ill I was enabled to attend upon him night and day； though very dangerously ill myself； without much fatigue； and now； I bless God that I feel a sweet resignation to his will。〃