362 TANJORK 
this was his workshop, where I saw a whimsical carriage with six 
wheels. The body was octagonal, about four feet in diameter, 
with windows all around: the wood work richly carved and gilt. 
In the front is an organ that plays as the wheels go round ; and 
before this a clock, and a machine to mark the distance he travels. 
The next apartment was much more interesting. It was the 
durbar of the native Gentoo Princes, far exceeding in size and 
magnificence that erected by their Mahratta conquerors. The pil- 
lars were of black stone, lofty and massive; the roof was of vast 
masses of the same. The musnud was raised in the centre about 
three feet from the ground. It was sixteen feet by eighteen, and 
two feet thick, of one piece of black granite, like the bull in the 
pagoda. Surprised that they should prefer their own building to 
this really royal throne, I enquired the reason, and was told that 
the first Prince of this dynasty died a few days after he had been 
seated on it ; that it was therefore considered as unfortunate by his 
successors, and had been totally abandoned. Like the other, 
it forms one side of a quadrangle, but has pillars around, and on 
one side a lofty tower, like those at the entrance of the pagodas, 
which adds much to its magnificence. The heat was great, and I 
was now heartily tired ; I therefore declined any farther researches, 
and returned to Captain Blackburn's, having received another 
salute of seventeen guns as I left the fort. 
February 1 . — At ten His Excellency the Rajah arrived at Captain 
Blackburn's to return my visit. He was on horseback, dressed as 
yesterday, and attended by his cavalry and other troops. His 
General was at their head, distinguished by wearing a steel glove 
similar to the ancient armour, which reached up to his elbow. 
