VELLORE. 
597 
twelve I awoke, and found myself coasting along the chain of hills 
that command Vellore ; the road winded among vast masses of 
rock, and groves of the wild date,* and thepalmira,t with here 
and there a small pasture. 
The moon shone bright, and rendered the scene most beautiful, 
from the strong effect of the light and shade on the mountains. At 
two I reached the outer works of the pettah of Vellore, which here 
descend from the lofty ridge^ and wind along the valley. Within all 
was barren and rocky. I passed the town, and reached the gate of 
the fort ; but the sentinel refused to admit me. I was obliged to 
write a note with a pencil, by the light of the moon, to Colonel 
Campbell the Commandant, which with some difficulty I persuaded 
an European serjeant to carry in. After the delay of an hour I 
was admitted. The guards were turned out, and Colonel Campbell 
received me at the steps of his house, and apologised for the delay 
I had suffered. 
February 25. — After breakfast I took a walk with Major Marriot, 
who has had the care of Tippoo's family since their arrival here, 
to see a palace or pagoda, now converted into a magazine. It 
forms one side of the public square, in which are also the palaces 
of the Princes, the Commandant's house, and the houses of the chief 
inhabitants. In the front is a lofty gateway of the usual inelegant, 
but imposing architecture. On each side is a statue of a kind of 
blue stone, with four arms, which were found under ground in the 
interior of the building, and have been placed here by the British. 
After passing the gateway on the left, is a very noble apartment, 
supported by pillars, singularly but beautifully carved. Nothing 
* Elate sylvestris. f Borassus flabelliformis. 
