1874.] Blocbmann — On Mr. Beale^s Agrali Inscriptions. 169 



I A • f^ <xL« 



1. Fate gave Sitarah Begam the cup of death to drink, " of which all who 

 are in this perishable world have to taste" [Qoran]. 



2. Lieutenant Sharp, of high rank, the disti^uished, loved this beautiful 

 beloved from his soul. 



3. He was much afflicted by her death, and built a tower in memory of the beloved. 



4. A voice from heaven, inspired by the Messiah, said, " The date of her death lies 

 in the words * The star (sitarah) of beauty's heaven has set. ' " A. D. 1804. 



13. 



Colonel J. Sessing's Tomh. 

 Col. Hessing's tomb in the E-oman Catholic Burial grouncl, A'grah, is 

 of white marble. He died a few months before the capture of A'grah by 

 Lord Lake. The following inscription, on a slab of slate, is fixed over the 

 tomb. 



Sacred to the memory of 



John William Hessing 



Late Colonel in the service of 



Maharajah Dowlut Rao Sindiah 



Who after sustaining a lingering and very painful illness 



For many years with a true Christian fortitude and resignation 



Departed this life 21st July 1803 



Aged 55 years 11 months and 5 days. 



As a tribute of their affection and regard 



This Monument is erected to his beloved Memory 



By his disconsolate widow Ann Hessing 



And his afflicted sons and daughters, George William Hessing, 



Thomas William Hessing, and Magdalen Sutherland 



He was a Native of Utrecht in Holland 



And came out to Ceylon in the Military Service 



Of the Dutch E. I. Company in the year 1752 



And was present at the taking of Candy by their troops 



Five years afterwards he returned to Holland 



And came out again to India in the year 1765 



And served under the Nizam of the Deccan 



In the year 1784 he entered into -the service of Madarow Sindiah 



And was engaged in the several Battles 



That led to the aggrandizement of that Chief, 



And wherein he signalized himself so by his Bravery 



As to gain the esteem and approbation of his employer 



More particularly at the battle of Bhondagown 



Near Agra in the year 1787 



Which took place between this chief 



