8o EASTERNHINDOOSTAN. 



vidorious againft every well-planned baftion, and every defence 

 the genius of Tippoo could invent for the prefervation of em- 

 pire, fubjedls, and the endearing connedlions of parental love. 

 Would my pen could rife to defcription adequate to the fubli- 

 mity of the various fubjed:. 



In juft defpair of attaining thefe heights, I return to my 

 peaceful pen. I attempt the origin of the humbled city, fome 

 farther traits, and the defcription in its raoft fplendid ftate. It 

 is faid to have belonged to a pious Polygar Rajah, who, taking 

 a pilgrimage to Ramijj'eram, entrufted the care to his neighbor, 

 the prince of Mvfore^ who, on the good man's return, refufed 

 to give up the truft, and it continued in his race during three 

 centuries *. Through indolence, the Rajahs latterly appointed 

 a Vifier, who fuftained for them the cares of government, and 

 the office became hereditary. In 1747, ^^'^^ Vifier of the time 

 depofed his mafter, appointed in his place an infant of the royal 

 family, and affumed the reins of government : he paid all re- 

 fpedl to the nominal Rajah, who was venerated by his fub- 

 je6ts, as is the prefent. They are kept in great ftate, and fliewn 

 once or twice a year to the people. 



Ayder Ali, Aydcr is firft mentioned in adive life appearing in the year 



SOME Account ^ , r- ^ ^ ,,, r /-,,,, ^ 



OF. i75o> ^t the age of twenty-two, at the head oi a fmall body of 



forces in the army of Nazir-jing, and was in the battle in 



which that great Souhah was aflaffinated. He is faid to have 



learned the rudiments of war among the French troops, whom 



he looked upon as the firft of men. He ferved long with them, 



* Mr, Home. 



and 



