RAMNAD. 
347 
and till the expiration of that term she can wear no jewels. A dra- 
pery of white muslin covered her from her waist downwards; above 
that she had a large piece of muslin with a gold border. This was 
wrapped loosely round her, and in part showed her skin: the ends 
came forward, and with one of them she frequently covered her 
mouth and the lower part of her face. Her head was uncovered ; 
her hair long, and a little grey; in her ears she had very large and 
heavy gold ear-rings, that touched her shoulders, stretching her ears 
to a hideous length. In person she was rather tall, extremely thin, 
with black teeth and a wide mouth : her age about forty. 
The good lady could never have been a very tempting object ; 
but she was a princess, and brought this country in marriage to her 
husband ; she is also cheerful and good-natured. It is said that they 
lived very happily together. Her brother formerly held the coun- 
try under the India Company; but force was always requisite to 
make him pay his kists, or tribute ; and to avoid this he was even 
known to conceal his money in pots in the earth. At length the 
Madras Government was tired of his evasions ; he was attacked and 
deposed, and has since remained a prisoner at Madras. Having no 
issue, terms were made with his sister : she pays to the Company 
two thirds of the clear revenue, which payment amounts to 90,000 
pagodas per annum. There remains 45,000 for herself: by different 
means she makes it up to 50,000 ; a sum more than adequate to 
maintain her in splendour. She is rich, and has many jewels: the 
little boy was covered with them. The brilliants in his bracelet 
were particularly fine, and are said to have been part of the plunder 
of Seringapatam. He had also a chain of emeralds and rubies, that 
would be very valuable were they not perforated, and a string of 
VOL, I. V Y 
