MADRAS. 
381 
was cloudy, and towards night it rained. After it was dark, my 
boys forded a lake that was a mile wide and up to their middles, 
in order to avoid going round about two miles. It was very un- 
pleasant from wind and rain ; and I was by no means free from 
fear of their falling ; however, I got safe over, and by eight arrived 
at Mr. Petrie's house. He was not at home, but his servants in- 
formed me that Lord William Bentinck had provided a house for 
me, and had servants waiting there, to which they immediately 
conducted me. 
February 9.— In the morning early I notified my arrival to Lord 
William Bentinck, the Governor of Madras, and requested permis- 
sion to pay my personal respects to him. He appointed the Govern- 
ment-house in the fort, where I immediately went, and met with a 
very polite reception. His Lordship invited me to dine with him 
on the morrow. 
February 10. — The Commander-in-Chief and his staff did me 
the honour of calHng on me, as did Lord William Bentinck, 
and Messrs. Petrie and Chamiere, Members of Council. Mr. Salt 
arrived in the course of the morning, and was invited by Lord 
William to dine among the guests at his Lordship's. I was agree- 
ably surprised to meet there my old friend Mr. Maitland, who 
had formerly resided some time with me at Strasburg. The table 
was well served, and the burgundy, hermitage, kc. were good of 
their kinds. 
I was surprised that I had heard nothing from the Nawaub of 
the Carnatic, and asked his Lordship if he had notified my arrival 
to his Highness. He replied that he had. I mentioned the attention 
I had received at other courts, and observed to him, that not even 
