33 



trunk, in the last stage of decay. A chief reason for this spoil is 

 the prevailing idea that a decoction from the bark, leaves, and 

 wood of this tree, gives a clearness and melody to the voice. 



Many stories are told of Tanseine, nearly as surprising as those 

 related of Orpheus, Amphion, and other celebrated musicians of 

 antiquity. Tanseine composed verses, as well as sang with such 

 superiority, that when Akber, who was extremely luxurious and 

 magnificent in his entertainments, invited strangers, and resolved 

 to give an extraordinary zest to the royal banquet, Tanseine had 

 his allotted share in the feast. When the company assembled in 

 the dusk of evening to enjoy the gentle breeze, and taste the per- 

 fumes of the gardens, percolated and cooled by the numerous 

 fountains playing round the shrubberies, darkness was gradually 

 permitted to approach ; but lamps of various colours, intended 

 for a general illumination, were notwithstanding properly arranged, 

 though ordered not to be lighted until a private signal was given 

 by the emperor to Tanseine, who then suddenly burst forth into a 

 strain so astonishingly harmonious, that the whole scene became 

 illuminated by the magic of his voice ! 



There are numerous gardens about a mile from the town, laid 

 out in a bad taste ; straight narrow walks, formal trees crowded 

 together, and flowers closely planted in small beds, like a carpet. 

 They seem very little attended to; nor is there any thing else in the 

 once celebrated town of Gwalier deserving the traveller's attention. 



I do not enter into Mr. Cruso's detail of Captain Popham's 



enterprize against the fortress of Gwalier, which is already Avell 



known. It then belonged to the Mahratta government, with 



whom the English were at war. We kept it for ten months, and 

 VOL. iv. y 



