MAHABALIPURAM. 
27 
with a most graceful salaam, and the party left us, 
well satisfied with our more than expected gratuity. 
What rendered the deception the more extraordinary 
was, that the man stood aloof from the crowd during 
the whole performance, — there was not a person 
within several feet of him. 
Towards evening we set out for Covelong, which 
we reached about nine o’clock : this is a miserable 
town, about three or four hundred yards from the 
sea. In 1750 the French obtained possession of it 
by a stratagem. In 1752 it surrendered to Captain 
Clive, who may be said to be the founder of Bri- 
tish influence in India, on condition that the com- 
mandant should be allowed to carry away his own 
effects, which proved to be a great number of turkeys 
and a large quantity of snuff, commodities in which 
it appears he did not consider it beneath the dignity 
of the commandant of an Indian town to deal. After 
the capture of Chingleput, the district to which Cove- 
long appertains, the fortifications of the town were 
destroyed. 
On the following morning, before sunrise, we pro- 
ceeded on our journey towards Mahabalipuram, one of 
the most distinguished and sacred spots of the Carnatic, 
which we reached about three hours before noon. 
There was little variation in the scenery from what 
we had seen on the preceding day; but, upon our 
arrival at this celebrated place, we were exceedingly 
struck with its most imposing and picturesque appear- 
ance. In the neighbourhood are ruins of several 
Hindoo temples, generally known under the some- 
what anomalous designation of the seven pagodas. 
