Having described the system of Coolie emigration,
it is only fair to say a few words touching
the treatment of the Coolie after he becomes
the property of the planter.  The word "property"
may possibly be objected to as savouring
too much of American slavery, but is really
the right word to use, for he does become to
all intents and purposes the property of the
planter, and considers himself so.  It is true
that he may throw up employment at any
moment and take his departure, attended by
his wife and family, if he be a married man;
but the question is where he can go to.  He
is in a strange land among a strange people,
hundreds of miles from his own home, and
without means of transit even if he have the
money; and he therefore—very wisely in my
opinion—regards himself as part of the property
of the estate.

In company with my friend I visited the
village, which was within a stone's throw of the
bungalow.  Anything neater, cleaner, or more
comfortable, I never saw in my life.  I am
aware that the plantation I visited was a model
one, and that to the lady, who shared the solitary
life of my friend, must be accorded a large share of
praise for the admirable way in which everything
on the estate was conducted, still I have reason
to believe, that, as a rule, the tea-planters are
as kind and generous to their dependents as
they are hospitable to any Europeans who may
casually break in upon their loneliness.  The
Coolies, and indeed the Europeans both male
and female, suffer very much throughout the
rainy season from leech-bites.  My friend was
much amused at the state of nervousness
I was in during my visit on account of these
troublesome creatures.  Being armed with boots
up to the thigh, he walked along through the
thick jungly grass with impunity: while I,
before many minutes, found myself attacked
by several leeches that had crawled up my
trousers and into my boots, and fastened
themselves upon my unlucky legs with a
viciousness that was perfectly appalling.  No sooner
had I dislodged one, than another fixed itself
upon me, until, in sheer desperation, I was
compelled to seek shelter and protection in a
pair of "planter's boots."  The bite of a Cachar
leech is far from pleasant: it causes inflammation,
and a great amount of irritation; and
one lady I met, the wife of a planter, was ordered
home to England on account of severe
illness solely caused by the bites of these
creatures.

On my return to the station of Cachar, while
crossing a large plain, I was surprised at seeing
some forty individuals, Europeans and natives,
mounted upon small, stout ponies, and armed
with long heavy clubs, apparently engaged in
desperate conflict.  On inquiring the cause of
the affray, I was informed that they were playing
hockey: a more novel and dangerous piece
of amusement I never witnessed.  However,
both planters and natives, notwithstanding the
hard blows and falls they received, appearing
to be enjoying themselves excessively,
in a weak moment I allowed myself to be
inveigled into the mêlée.  I found myself
unhorsed before many minutes had elapsed,
but, though in the thick of the scrimmage, not
one of the ponies injured me with his hoofs:
all being taught adroitly to avoid treading
upon a fallen opponent.  The exercise is very
healthy and exciting, but needs considerable
practice, pluck, and perseverance.  This novel
method of playing hockey is a very favourite
amusement in Cachar, and the planters assemble
from miles round, on certain days, solely for the
purpose of joining in it.

The amount of nominal capital represented
by the tea companies in Bengal up to last
November, according to the Calcutta Money
Market Circular, was two million eight hundred
thousand pounds, and of this enormous sum two
million two hundred thousand pounds had been
called for.  It is intended that all the capital shall
be paid up within a limited period, and the calls
are spread over intervals of three months.  As
might have been foreseen, the Calcutta money
market has become seriously affected.  The
Bank of Bengal raised its rate of interest three
per cent within a month, and the current rate,
when the last mail left, was twelve per cent; as
much as twenty per cent had been paid for
accommodations to enable shareholders to meet
their calls.  This state of the money market is
likely to continue until the full amount of
substantial capital employed in the cultivation of
tea has been provided.  Notwithstanding this
extreme and sudden pressure, shares in tea
companies have not depreciated to any serious
extent in Calcutta.  A parcel were thrown upon
the market and sold to the highest bidder by
public auction at fifty per cent premium!
This of itself will sufficiently indicate the
soundness of this new and wonderful industrial
enterprise.

Besides the immense number of companies
started within the last five years in India,
there are several companies established in
London for the same purpose, and the shares in
all are a favourable security with the investing
public.

When the Honourable Mr. Beadon became
governor of Bengal, his first act was to visit
the provinces of Assam and Cachar.
Addressing the European and native gentry of
Dibrooghur, he said:  "It has always been
the first aim of the British government, on the
occupation of a province, to give security of
life and prosperity to all, and to ensure to every
man his just rights.  These are the very
elements of civilisation and prosperity. That in
this district the government has been successful
in accomplishing this end, is evident from the
increase of wealth, revenue, and population;
from the clearance of many thousand acres of
forest; from the contented appearance of the
people; and from the existence of this thriving
town and station in a spot where, a few years
ago, the voice of man was not heard."

Surely after such words as these, the strangers
who are brought hundreds of miles from their