HYDRABAD AND BIDUR. 
197 
have seen a little gold interspersed. Tbe way of 
inlaying them is very simple ; but of course is as 
tedious as can well be imagined, and could be only 
practised where time is of little value. The parts of 
the projected figure are first cut out in silver leaf, 
and are placed in a piece of broken earthenware 
before the artist, who cuts with a pointed instrument 
the same figure on the vessel, applies the si ver leaf, 
piece after piece, and gently hammers it into its place. 
The greatest skill is required in tracing the figures 
on the vessel exactly to correspond with those of the 
silver-leaf, and in this I have never seen them 
mistaken. They do their work very expeditiously, 
and will make any figure upon copper with the 
greatest nicety, according to the pattern which is laid 
before them.” The practitioners of this art affirm 
that their knowledge of the manufacture was known 
o 
to their forefathers, upon the same spot, upwards of 
two thousand years since, where primitive Hindooism 
had continued undisturbed from the time of the 
world’s creation. 
The road leading through the western gate of the 
city, traverses ' a fine plain, bounded by broad belts 
and patches of noble old mango trees, interspersed 
with Moslem buildings of infinitely varied forms. 
At the distance of about half a mile from the walls 
is the burial-place of the Bereed dynasty of the kings 
of Bidur. There are three principal tombs and a 
great many smaller ones ; but unfortunately, as 
s 2 
