400 
VELLORE. 
mence a new attack, and before he could succeed, Sir Eyre Coote 
relieved the place. The conquest of Mysore has rendered Vellore 
of little importance, so that, had it not been for the accommodation 
of Tippoo*s family, it would most probably have been permitted to 
go to decay. 
The hills render Vellore extremely sultry. The thermometer was 
86° in the shade; yet on returning from my walk, I found the 
British officers playing at cricket in the great square. No wonder 
if the liver is so frequently affected ! I should have been very 
happy to have seen Tippoo's sons, but my wish to arrive as soon as 
possible at Mangalore, made me hasten my departure. I sent my 
compliments, and expressed my regret that I could not have the 
pleasure of paying them a visit. From Major Marriot I received every 
information respecting them that I wished to obtain. They occupy 
the ancient palace, to which very large additions were made previ- 
ously to their arrival- The public apartments are handsome, and 
common to all of them ; but within, each has his own. They are 
treated with great attention, and have every indulgence that is con- 
sistent with the safe custody of their persons. At present they are 
totally deprived of the liberty of quitting the fort, and even at 
each door of the palace people are placed to walch them. These 
strict precautions have only been used since the attempt to liberate 
them. 
There are, in all, twelve sons and eight daughters of Tippoo's. 
Futty Hyder, the eldest, but illegitimate son, has twelve or fourteen 
children. He, as well as his three next brothers, have 50,000 
rupees each per annum ; a much larger sum than he really received 
during his father's life time, though he was nominally in possession 
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