HINDOO FESTIVAL. 
4 5 
fields and magnificent topes* of trees., while the pro- 
spect is terminated by a lofty chain of mountains. 
During our stay at Tanjore, a grand Hindoo festi- 
val was observed, which we had consequently the 
opportunity of witnessing. In the evening the Rajah 
attended by his court proceeded from the palace, with 
all the pomp of an eastern potentate, to a spot about 
a mile and half from the forts, where he performed the 
important ceremony of shooting a silver arrow against 
the stem of a plantain-tree, the object of which was 
to ascertain whether the deity who presided over the 
harvest was likely to be propitious. The test was 
simple — it required no sage to expound the oracle; 
this was done by the Rajah himself, who was in truth 
something of a simpleton. If much sap followed the 
wound, it was an unerring sign that the ensuing sea- 
son of rain would be fruitful ; if little, the reverse. 
From Tanjore we crossed the country to Trichi- 
nopoly, as our journey was directed more by circum- 
stances, or perhaps caprice, than by any settled ar- 
rangement ; we went, in fact, just whither our fancies 
led us. Trichinopoly is a city of considerable emi- 
nence. It is familiar to the ears of Europeans as 
having its name attached to those beautiful gold chains 
for which it is so celebrated ; but it has been rendered 
further celebrated by a four years’ siege which it sus- 
tained from the French, commenced in 1751, when, 
though in every respect but wretchedly provided, it 
was defended by the skill and intrepidity of Lawrence, 
Glive, Kirkpatrick, Dalton, and other officers, whose 
* A tope is a grove or plantation. 
