TANJORE. 357 
pagoda, which the Brahmms had quitted. On its restoration, the 
Rajah had it purified at a very great expense, and sentinels are now 
placed to prevent any one from entering. The Brahmins met us at 
the gate, and presented fruit and flowers. Opposite the gateway of 
the pagoda is a pyramidal building, nearly similar, on the walls ; 
at present it serves as a depot for stores. We afterwards mounted 
the ramparts, which, being higher than the surrounding wall of the 
pagoda, gave us a full view of the interior. The great temple itself 
is certainly a very beautiful piece of architecture, and different in 
its top and ornaments from any other I have met with. We saw the 
remains of Monsieur Lally's lines, when he ineffectually besieged the 
place, which was much too strong for a coup-de-main, and he had 
not the means of a regular siege. He however, as usual, did all the 
mischief he could to the neighbourhood. From one of the cavaliers 
was a very beautiful view: the pagoda formed a foreground; then 
appeared the large fort with the Rajah's palace and pagodas ; behind 
that, a rich country covered with rice fields and topes ; and beyond 
all, a chain of lofty mountains. The cannon was only begun to be 
mounted on the walls ; when once that shall be completely finished, 
it will require a very strong army to besiege it, and a very powerful 
battering train to form a breach. 
Twelve was the hour appointed for visiting the Rajah, and we 
were punctual to our time. On entering the great fort I was saluted 
with seventeen guns, and found his guards drawn out, who pre- 
sented arms ; they were remarkably neatly dressed, and in a good 
state of discipline. The palace is an old building, with several lofty 
towers, surrounded by a high w^all. The great square, into which 
we first entered, has never been finished. The passages that led to 
