r 
358 TANJORE. 
the durbar were narrow, and soon obliged us to quit our palan- 
quins. The moment I came in sight, he arose fi^om his musnud, and 
met me at the door of the durbar: he shook hands, and in very 
good English expressed his high delight at having the honour 
of receiving me at his palace. He then took my hand, and led me 
to a chair on the right of his musnud ; Captain Blackburn was 
seated on his left, and three of his courtiers : his attendants 
stood behind and around. He was dressed in the Mahratta fashion, 
with few jewels, but a bunch of very handsome pearls hung over 
his turban. The room was not large, but very cool ; it formed one 
side of a square, nearly filled by a tank, in the centre of which was 
raised a small apartment, that communicated by steps with that in 
which we were sitting. Every thing was handsome and in excellent 
repair. The facility and propriety with which he expressed him- 
self in English was to me a great satisfaction. It was the first time 
I had been able to converse with a native prince, except through 
an interpreter. The Nawaub Vizier is the only man with whom I 
could have had as much pleasure in free conversation. The Rajah's 
manners are excellent, and good nature beams from his countenance. 
He is young, fat, and handsome, with a full black beard, and rather 
a fair complexion. His Highness has two wives, but has had hitherto 
no issue : should he continue w^ithout any, the children of his de- 
posed uncle will become his heirs; a circumstance which is by 
no means improbable. 
Formerly the India Company gave the title of King to the 
ruler of Tanjore, and addressed him as Majesty : they found this 
to be absurd, as he is a feudatory to the Nawaub of the Carnatic, 
and have changed it to Excellency, which being ever appro- 
