EASTERN HINDOOSTAN. 13 



rocks and iflands between the Mora-ivars and Ceylon being flroiig 

 proofs of the one, as the rip-raps in the ftreights of Dover, are 

 of the other. 



The Polygar Tondiman rules over a traft of country now Tondiman, 

 named after him. The extent of coaft between Tondi and Cot- 

 tapatam, two of the chief towns, is about forty miles : the 

 depth inland about fixty. The chieftain rules over a valt herd 

 of Colleries, natives of his mountains and forefls. He has been 

 a true friend to the EngHJJj., and ever ready to fupply them 

 with provifions, which are delivered at the outfkirts of his 

 woods, and fent vmder convoy of our troops to the place of 

 deftination. The fouthern boundary of this country is that 

 of the Mara-zvars : the north-eaftern, the kingdom of 'Tanjore, 

 into which we now enter. 



That kingdom was once independent, but no^v is an ap- Tanjore. 

 pendage to the Nabob of the Carnatk, and a fublidial ally of 

 the EngliJJj, who receive from its monarch the annual fum of 

 ^. 160,000. Its extent is faid to be equal to that of Portugal, 

 and is reported to be the garden of India. The foreits confift 

 of the richeft trees, and the plains are overftocked with cattle 

 and flieep. This country involved us in a war in 1758, in 

 which the French took an adive part : Its capital, feated on 

 a branch of the Cavery, was befieged by them ; but the fiege 

 was foon raifed, it was a treafure we referved for ourfelves. In 

 1773, it was taken by furprife by the company's troops under 

 General Jofepb Smith ; our troops were in the royal prefence 

 before the king was apprized of the attack ; he was feized like 

 Balthazar in the midil of his courtiers. The booty was im- 



menfe, 



