SERINGAPATAM. 431 
that probably his family were as great gainers by that event, as 
the British, who thereby escaped a protracted warfare. 
The inner ditch and rampart have been wholly destroyed, ex- 
cept in the spot where the wall gave a passage to the soldiers; that 
I was happy to find preserved as a memorial of their courage. It 
is a singular circumstance, that the besiegers had no idea of the 
existence of such a ditch and inner wall till the storm took place, 
though they had native spies constantly in the place. The gateway, 
in which Tippoo fell, has been destroyed, with the inner work : a 
road is formed in its stead, with trees planted on each side, which 
will ultimately add much to the beauty of the town. It is still un- 
known who gave the fatal wound to the Sultaun : the invaluable 
string of pearls which he wore round his neck was the prize of the 
soldier, but it has never been produced or traced. He had been 
many years collecting this ; always taking off an inferior pearl, when 
he could purchase one of more value. 
We walked along the rampart for a little distance to the south- 
ward, where the fortifications are as strong, as they are weak on the 
banks of the Cauveri. Were it of importance to render Seringapa- 
tarn a place of strength, the works proposed by the French ought 
to be carried into effect; but the time is arrived when the British 
can, in India, never have to defend themselves against a regular 
besieging army. It is certainly advisable that, as a military depot 
Seringapatam should be strong enough to resist any sudden attack 
from, the native powers, which it now is, without alteration. The 
numerous and large buildings which it contains have given it the 
preference as a magazine over Bangalore, where the expense would 
have been very considerable in erecting them. I doubt, howeveri 
