d a small party to
view the interior: while we were taking breakfast, a cavalcade of
elephants came up to the door with a number of peons. After we had
mounted them we proceeded through the south gate into the city; the
streets were particularly dirty, owing to there being no drains. The
town is supplied with water by a well about two hundred feet in
circumference.

On our entrance into the minister's house we were surprised at seeing
a battalion of female sepoys (soldiers) presenting arms to us. We
stood to see them go through their military manoeuvres, which they
did with dexterity; we then proceeded towards the house, which is
built entirely of cedar-wood, but in a very ordinary manner, owing to
the number of apartments: every room is carved in a beautiful and
masterly style, from the ceiling to the floor. This ornament is very
common among the lower classes, who have the devices of their gods
carved on the doors of their houses. The apartments form a complete
square, and in the centre is a stone tank. We next proceeded to a
gallery of looking-glasses; the only one worthy of notice is about
eighteen feet long and sixteen wide; there is likewise a whole length
painting of Earl Moira, Governor-General of India. We afterwards
proceeded to the palace of the Rajah: on our entrance into the inner
court, we were agreeably surprised at seeing a quantity of tea-cups,
saucers, &c. of various colours, placed against the wall in form of
elephants, tigers, serpents, &c. in the most superb manner; in the
centre is a large tank, containing a great quantity of salmon-trout. I
had the honour of being introduced to the Rajah's sons, but his
Highness was not present.

After having obtained a guard of twelve sepoys and two naigues, I
proceeded on my route, and in a few days arrived at Nermul.

Nermul is a large and beautiful city, surrounded by a fort, and is
about three miles in circumference, and is on a rising ground, 205
miles north-north-east of Hydrabad, and in the heart of the jungle,
it is under the command of Major Woodhouse. The inhabitants are
principally Moors.

I pitched my tent in the middle of a burying-ground, by the side of a
running stream, and owing to the fatigue I had experienced, I now
resolved to sojourn for two days. This place suited my present state
of mind.

My attention was soon attracted by a magnificent tomb, and upon
examining the inscription, it proved to be a rajah's. The gardens were
ingeniously