VOYAGE FROM INDIA TO SI AM AND MALACCA. 61 



but just as muddy, and I could discover nothing on the bottom. 

 There were neither animals nor plants to be seen, and as soon as 

 we came into the mouth of one of the arms of the big river Kis- 

 na, its bed was covered with thick brownish mud, which mud 

 increases the nearer one comes to the fortress which is situated 

 on the banks, and almost entirely surrounded by the river. 



The fortress Massulipatam, I have been informed lies on a 

 bank of a minor branch of the big- stream Kisna, reckoned by 

 the native heathens to be the fourth in the order of holy streams, 

 which are altogether seven in number, the Ganges being the first, 

 . . . . the second, the Cadahverhi* the third, then the 

 above mentioned Kisna stream, after this Kangiret, the Collor- 

 ham I and as the last the Caveri, but in reahty the latter is only 

 a branch of the Collorham, which divides a few English miles 

 from the fortress Tirutphinapalli.J 



Neither time nor circumstance permit me to enter into any 

 details concerning the superstition of the Indian nation as re- 

 gards these streams, except this only that it is considered a great 

 happiness to have bathed in one of these streams, because it is 

 said to secure future happiness, and if their burnt bones are 

 thrown into these streams, a great benefit for the soul is derived 

 from it. Therefore many of their chiefs, who have enough 

 money are brought hither in urns from a great distance and 

 with certain ceremonies, either by the Brahmin or their own 

 relations. 



I could not look about very much to-day, because in crossing 

 from the ship to the shore, all my clothes got wet as the waves 

 are very strong and towering at the mouth of the river ; only in 

 the afternoon 1 went over the ramparts of the fortress with one 

 of my friends, Mr. D. Campbell, whom I met here quite unexpec- 

 tedly. This fortress was newly constructed seven years ago by 

 one of the best engmeers. Major Steevensen. It used to be a 

 French fortress, but was taken from them late one evening by the 

 English. The French commander at that time was Mr. Conflens, 

 brother of the well known admiral. There exist still many 

 ridiculous anecdotes hereabouts, which do little credit to the 

 French. Now the fortifications consist in a deep trench filled 



* Godavery 



t Kalerun 



X Trichinopoly ? 



