Sermon ended, Ifaiab lvi. 7. the Governor, &c. Council and Ladies repaired to the veftry, where having drank fuccefs to the new Church in a glass of Sack, the whole Town returned to the Governor's lodgings within the fort; where was a splendid entertainment, wine and mufic, and abundance of good cheer. After dinner the Governor began Church and King, according to custom; but upon this occafion an additional complement of 21 great guns from the fort, which were anfwered by the European fhips in the harbour; with feveral other healths, drinking and firing till almost four a clock; and left fo good an opportunity fhould flip, by the Governor's leave I brought in the fubfcription-book, and got above two thousand four hundred rupees to our Church, of which the Governor, for example's fake, launched out one thousand rupees himself. We have not yet quite finished the Tower, on which there is a steeple defigned to be built, and raised, in order for a feamark, as high as we can tower it.

As to the Church itself, it is indeed a ftructure defervedly admired for its ftrength and beauty, neatness and uniformity, but more especially for its echo; the roof of it being arched with three regular arches of stone, fupported by two rows of pillars and pillafters on each fide, with a large femi-dome at the eaft end to receive the communion table, like that of St Paul's, London, afcending by three steps, and a rail to separate it from the body of the Church. Its fituation is very commodious, in the midst of the inhabitants, within the Town-wall, and at a due distance from the fort. As to its extent, it is larger than either of the English Churches at Madras or Bengal, or any of the Portuguese Churches here; fuitable, in fome measure,

measure to the dignity of our Royal Settlement, and big enough for a Cathedral.

Thus was the ceremony of opening Bombay Church performed with all the public demonftrations of joy, with that decency and good order, as was fuitable to the folemnity. As to other matters relating thereunto, your Worship will excufe me the particulars; begging leave to be referred to Captain Euftace Peacock, who was an eyewitness to the fame, and can better inform you by word of mouth. Hoping all the Ladies are well, yourself and factory, I remain with due refpects, Worshipful Sir,

Your and your good Lady's

most obliged humble fervant, Richard Cobbe.

P. S. The fame day was memorable alfo for finishing the Town-wall.

To the Rev. Mr Richard Cobbe, Chaplain at Bombay. Surat, April 5, 1719.

Rev. Sir,

I Herewith fend you, by Mr Rawfon Hart, on the King George, two bales marked MD, which contain (with ten pieces mufters delivered abroad) fifty corge of Mugga Dooties; they are goods proper for your port, and coft in Bengal fix and a half rupees per corge, and are not ill bought. I defire you will fell them for the most you can, and pay in the produce to the Church's stock, and for the Church's ufe. When you have fold them, please to write to me thereof to Madras, at the Reverend Mr Charles Long's. These goods ufe to

fell

fell a few years fince at your port from eight to eleven or twelve rupees per corge. I am,

Reverend Sir,

Your most humble fervant,

M. Gray.

To Mr Michael Gray at the Reverend Mr Long's at Madras.

Sir,

Bombay Castle, May 26, 1719.

YOURS I received dated April 5, 1719, with two bales of Mugga Dooties, a repeated proof of your affection to our Church; for which I return you our hearty thanks, and wish we may never want fuch fubftantial advocates to patronize and support it. Such hath been the extent of your abundant liberality, inferior to none but the Governor himself; that we of this place ought unanimously to recognize it; tranfmitting the fame, the leaft that we can do, by an annual commemoration to latest posterity.

May you ftill go on and profper in good works, and be ftill fupplied with a comfortable fubfiftance; that whilft others are concerned about getting an eftate, your care may be only how to difpofe of it!

I have herewith fent you the account of fale drawn up by Mr Sutton our Church-regifter. The goods were fold at public out-cry to fome of the black Merchants at eight rupees per corge, and three months trust.

MD Longees 49 cor. 17 pieces, fold for net 399 rup. I gr. 45.rs.

I remain with all fincerity, Sir,

Your obliged and very humble fervant,

Richard Cobbe.

To the Rev. Mr Richard Cobbe, Chaplain at Bombay in India.

Dear Sir, London, Jan. II, 1719-20. IWAS not long ago informed by your brother, that you had written to my Lord Bishop of London for his directions about opening your new Church at Bombay, but that having received no anfwer, you have ventured to open it without them. I promised to make enquiry into the reafon of that omiffion. I have fince had an opportunity to ask Dr Aftry, Chaplain to the Bishop, who looking among his papers, fhewed me your letter; and though he was doubtful to what that neglect fhould be ascribed, yet at last he concluded that he could not be accountable for it, because he found by the indorsement it had lain fome time in the Secretary's hands, before it was delivered to him. However, he gave me leave to affure you, that what you had done was intirely agreeable to the Bishop's inclinations; and that there can be no formal confecration without the prefence of the Bishop himself.

I expect very shortly to be received into his Lordship's family in the room of Dr Aftry; and thall be very glad if in that station I am capable of doing any fervice to an old friend and acquaintance whom I fo highly esteem and value as yourfelf. I remain,

Dear Sir,

Your most affectionate friend and

humble fervant,

William Berriman.

ALIST of the BENEFACTIONS contributed towards Building the Church of Bombay in the Eaft-Indies, from July 1, 1715, to Whitsunday 1720.

W

Hereas by the unanimous affent and confent of the General and Council, and the reft of the reformed inhabitants of Bombay and elfewhere, having defigned (by GoD's permiffion) to erect and rebuild a Church for his fervice, and the Chriftian Religion, according to the use of the Church of England; we whofe names are under-written have agreed to pay the fums subscribed for the use aforefaid. Anno Domini 1715.

The Honourable Company of Merchants of England trading to the East-Indies towards promoting this good defign have contributed and paid the fum of ten thousand rupees by order of their Ge- Rupees. neral and Council of Bombay,

10000

M. A. Crommelin,

150

and fifty by mistake, 250 William Cole,

Richard Cobbe, Cler. M. A.