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of conciliation, which has been so wisely adopted by Captain 
Blackburn, will, I have no doubt, attach thePolygars to the British, 
as they are fully sensible of our power ; at present he assures me, 
he is convinced, that were their services required, he could bring 
ten thousand of them into the field. They have shown themselves 
on all occasions uncommonly brave and active, and would be no 
despicable allies in the bush-fighting of this woody country. 
February %. — By three in the morning, Mr. Salt and I were on 
our way. and by half after seven we arrived at Mr. Harris's, at 
Comboconum, distant twenty- three miles, having passed through 
the town, and over the bed of the Gauveri, which is now perfectly 
dry. When full, it must afford a very beautiful view, the opposite 
side being covered with wood, out of which the lofty pagodas rear 
their venerable heads in greater numbers than I had hitherto seen. 
This was the ancient capital of Tanjore, which accounts for the 
many remains of its splendour. At present, it is chiefly inhabited by 
Brahmins. Their habitations were neat ; new houses were building, 
and the old ones were not going to decay ; I therefore set this down 
as a thriving district. A person who travels through a country with 
the rapidity that I do, has no other means of judging for himself. 
It strongly confirmed the report I had heard of Mr. Harris's able 
conduct. Some of the pagodas and tanks were very fine ; but it is 
a singular circumstance, that almost invariably the outer gateway 
is of superior dimensions to the temple itself. The expense of build- 
ing them must have been very great. 
At nine we left Mr. Harris's, and by half after twelve, reached 
Gutallum, a small village distant fourteen miles, having as usual 
passed several pagodas. The country was extremely rich, and in a 
