418 SERINGAPATAM. 
" was at the head of it? I am sure I never did." On this the Peer 
desired a private audience, which was granted ; when, finding he 
could not change Hyder's determination, he declared his intention 
of quitting the place. Hyder told him, he might go wherever he 
pleased. Extremely indignant, he retired to Arcot, where many 
faquirs at that time resided ; but not finding his new residence as 
pleasant as his old one, he shortly returned to Seringapatam, and 
wished again to live within the fort. Hyder however positively 
refused his permission, telling him, " that he had proved himself 
unworthy of doing so, but that he would give him a house any 
where else." The Peer retired in wrath to the Black Town, where he 
died, and was buried at Ghinapatam. 
By this uniform system of prudence and moderation, Hyder left 
his son a prosperous and improving kingdom, a strong, and, for an 
Asiatic, well disciplined army, and a numerous and contented popu- 
lation. It is said, that on his death-bed, he advised his successor 
to reconcile himself to the English, and cultivate their friendship. 
Had he done so, it is probable that he would have transmitted to 
his posterity the advantages he received. Instead of this, a want of 
judgment, and a strong spirit of superstition, drove him into hos- 
tilities, which ended in his destruction. Any person who has the 
good of mankind at heart cannot regret the event. The tyranny of 
a very small proportion of Mussulmauns over the native Hindoos 
has been put an end to ; the province of Mysore, which under 
them was going rapidly to decay, is fast recovering, and already 
yields a greater real revenue than the former nominal amount : 
the tanks which Tippoo had destroyed, solely because they were 
built by Hindoo Rajahs, though of the utmost value to his subjects. 
