sudden advance to Ougien, would be a friendly post to wait for supplies at.

The Nabob has more than once expressed his wish to join in our operations against the Mahrattas; and from his former behaviour to General Goddard, and his dread of Scindeah's jealousy, there is every cause to believe him sincere; but while surrounded with enemies, and our army near 80 coss distance from his country, it is impossible he can publicly declare

his intentions, without the greatest risk of being ruined.

In the hills of Malwa are a people, Rajepoots of the Grassea tribe, who often make descents into the low countries, and raise contributions upon the Mahratta Amils, who buy off their plunders by a sum of money. They are all horse, and it is said, remarkably daring, but particularly so against the Mahrattas, for whom they entertain a mortal hatred.

THE Country of Quedah extends from Trang in lat. 7° 30′ N to Crean in lat. 5° 18' N. In length about 150 miles, in breadth from 20 to 35 miles. But the cultivated lands no where exceed 20 miles from the sea-shore; from Trang to Purlis, the sea-coast is sheltered by many islands, and a flat bank lies between them and the main, navigable for small vessels only; the distance between Trang and Purlis being about 24 leagues. The sea coast itself is low, and covered with wood. Inland are many mountains, some of which, as you approach Purlis, project into the sea. The country abounds in rice, cattle, and timber. Eleven rivers, empty themselves into the sea, navigable for prows only, on account of the shallows without; the principal of which are Lingoo and Sittoul, where those vessels are built. Purlis has a deep narrow river, at the entrance of which is a small sandy island, on which stands a fishing village, which is

protected by a few pieces of canon. The bar of the river is very long, with only to feet water upon it at spring tides; the town is situated four or five miles from this entrance, in a valley of a mile and an half circumference, encompassed with steep hills. The old king, in his latter days, chose this place for his residence, which occasioned many vessels and people to resort here. Since his death it has sunk into its former obscurity, notwithstanding, he bequeathed it to his second son Toonka Mooda, who still resides here. Poojil is a small province of Paltang, bordering upon Purlis. The islands Lancany, or Ladda, and Trocklow, lie west of this port about five leagues. The great Ladda is inhabited by a race of Malays, who are in general, great thieves, and commit fre quent acts of piracy. These islands are dependant on the Luxamanu of Quedah, who governs here absolutely. They are mountainous, have little pasture, and do not yield

rice sufficient for the inhabitants. There is exceeding good anchorground on the eastern side of them, of sufficient capacity for the largest fleet, with a plentiful supply of wood and water at hand. On the SW side is a small harbour of sufficient depth, but its shores are coral. In a former war, the French refitted and masted here, after an engage, ment with, I believe, Commodore Barnet.

The land from Purlis to the mountain Jerry (a coast of 20 leagues in extent) is low and level towards the sea, covered with jungle, which extends between Purlis and Quedah one mile from the shore. To the southward of Quedah, the woods grow much broader, and the country is still less cultivated. The principal seaport, called Quedah by strangers, and Qualla Betrang by the natives, lies in 6° N latitude. The river is navigable for vessels of 300 tons; but its entrance is choaked up by a flat mud bank 24 miles in length, with only nine feet water on spring tides. Large ships lying in five or six fathoms, are four miles from the river's mouth. At the mouth of the river is a small brick fortress, with a few small guns, ill-mounted. The greater part of the fort is in ruins, so that the spring tides flow into it. The river is about 300 yards wide; both shores are muddy and have swampy plains, which are covered with jungle. This continues for three miles up the river. Half a mile within the jungle, the paddy grounds

commence.

Seven miles on the river from the Qualla, is Allestar, where the king resides. All vessels that pass the bar, can go to Allestar. The river is narrow, but deep; the country level, but clear and culti

vated, having a fine rich soil. A little above Allestar the ground rises, the river becomes more rapid, and at length unfit for any kind of navigation, except that of small prows. The channel, on the eastern side of the island, is very narrow, being not 50 feet across.

The king's residence at Allestar, is in a very small brick fort, built by his merchant Jomall, about four years ago. The inhabitants, near him, are composed of Chuliars, Chinese, and Malays.

This place was plundered and burnt in 1770, by the Buggesses, aided by some of the king's own relations; since which, it has continued in a very poor state; the only trade left is with Sangoon, Pattany being destroyed by the Siamese.

Lunboon, on the bank of the river, is about four miles from Allestar. This town is inhabited chiefly by Chuliars. The soil is exceedingly fertile (clay and sand) and produces great abundance of fruit and vegetables. The country rises in a gradual ascent. The river is very rapid, with shallows and overfalls, so that prows only can navigate it. A very little above Lunboon, the prospect opens into an extended plain, on which are many miles of paddy grounds. The river is here contracted into a very narrow channel, being in some places not more than 10 feet across, and is beside so very crooked, and its current so rapid, that only small light prows can make their way up it. During the rainy season this plain is overflowed, which greatly enriches it.

At the commencement of this plain, the king is enclosing a place for the purpose of erecting a fort, to defend his country against the Siamese. On its eastern boundary,

the

country is covered with forests, some small villages, with thin cultivated lands, lying scattered here and there.

The next place of any note, is Apabookit, which is about six miles SE of Allestar, on a branch of the same river. This place is chiefly inhabited by Chuliar families. The soil is more sandy and light than that of Lunboon, but produces abundance of grain. Formerly, the course of the river from Qualla Batrang to Allestar, was 12 miles in length; but the father of the reigning prince cut through a narrow isthmus, in order to shorten the distance five miles, and by degrees the old channel filled up. This work has, however, been of singular disadvantage to the neighbourhood, as it has lessened the quantity of fresh water in the country, by giving it an easier communication with the sea. Seawater is now admitted up to Allestar in the dry season, the bar at the river's mouth is likewise increased, not having sufficient weight (or perhaps continuance) of current to carry off the mud. The inhabitants of Allestar are obliged to fetch fresh water in boats, during the months of March and April; for though well water is good, they do not in general use it. At the Qualla, they are supplied with fresh water, entirely by boats, for eight months in the year. In August, September, October, and November, the river is fresh to its entrance at low water.

Close to the fort runs a creek, which communicates with the river above Lunboon, this has been purposely stopped by an artificial mound. Were it opened, vessels might again water at the river's mouth, in all seasons of the year.

The entire country of Quedah is exceedingly well watered, and fertile. Twenty three rivers, all na vigable for prows, and some of them for larger vessels, empty themselves into the sea, between Trang and Creang. The country to the southward of Quedah river, as far as Qualla Mooda (about 10 leagues) is less cultivated than the more northward. At Eang they have the best fruits. The principal natives have gardens at this place, to which they frequently resort, (an excursion of 6 or 7 leagues) to feast on dorians and mangostins, which ripen here in the greatest perfection.

Qualla Moorba is a large river, deep and rapid, the water is here always fresh to the sea, the land is high, and the bank sandy. The heavy surge which breaks upon this shore, during the south west monsoon, has, by opposing the current from the river, formed a dangerous sand bank, extending three miles out to sea, and in which there is only one fathom water. This bank reaches almost as far as Qualla Mooda. Qualla Mooda is a shallow and rapid river, but convenient on account of its situation with the tin mines. The annual produce here, is about 1000 peculs. This small quantity is not, however, owing to the scarcity of ore, but to the want of hands, and to the few people employed, being badly paid. The river Prie lies next to Qualla Mooda, and opposite Pinang. This place produces a little tin, it has however, very few inhabitants, and those are of very suspicious character. Crean produces rattans and caues. This is the southern extremity of Que dah, and hence begins Perack. Great numbers of Poltang people have emigrated, and come down

to Qualla Mooda, (it is supposed nearly 15,000) if these people settle there, they will greatly encrease the cultivation, and benefit Pinang. It is needless to add, that the king

of Quedah has been advised of the advantages he would experience, by having the country opposite Pinang cultivated, the soil of which is of the richest quality.

THE province of Agra is bound ed on the north by the Ganges, on the south by Chanderee Malwa, on the east by Rantampoor, and on the west by the Soubah of Delhi. The principal rivers are the Jumna, Chambul, and Coharee, but smaller streams are very numerous, which, after watering the country, fall into one or other of these three rivers.

Agra, or Akbarabad, is the capital of the province, and was long the metropolis of the Mogul empire. It spreads on both banks of the Jumna, and in the reign of Akbar, was esteemed the largest, and by much the richest city in the world. The palace erected here by the emperor, contained 500 apartments, finished with all the elegance India could afford. Thave not, and other old travellers, speak of it with admiration, as a most compleat and imperial residence. That part of it now in repair, is the palace of the Nabob Nujeeph

Khan.

The greatest ornament to Agra, is the Taaje Mahal, or mausoleum of the Begum, of the emperor Shah Jehan, which was twelve years in building, and cost 50 lacks

of rupees. The historian who writes the reign of that emperor, gives the following account of it, as just finished.

From a broad and well built street, having on each side the houses of capital merchants, you enter a square 150* dirrecks in length, and 100 in breadth, which is built about with two rows of shops, and two serais; from this you pass into another quadrangle, 90 dirrecks long, and 30 broad, forming the areas of two serais. This leads to a terrace 80 dirrecks in length, and 34 in breadth, about which is convenient stabling and other offices.

From this terrace, through a very superb gateway, you enter a garden which is a perfect square, of 360 dirrecks, ornamented withi baths, fountains, terraced walks, ponds, &c. &c. The southern end looks upon the Jumna, and is taken up by a range of very magnificent apartments, at the eastern end of the garden, rises a terrace of stone, in length 354, in breadth 141, and 16 dirrecks high from the ground. From the centre of this rises another terrace of white marble, being a square of 120

dirrecks,

dirrecks, from this rises the mausoleum, an octagonal building, covered with a dome, and faced with white marble inside and out; on the top of the dome is a pinnacle of solid gold, in the form of a rose eleven guzin in height, and from the terrace to the top of this, measures 106 dirrecks. In the center of the building is the tomb of white marble, round which is a Mosaic pavement, done in flowers, formed of such lively coloured stone, as to equal the most exact drawing. This pavement is surrounded by a case of marble, perforated into the most elegant lace work, the doors of which are two tables of fine jasper; at each angle of the marble terrace is a minaret, 52 dirrecks high.

Fronting the mausoleum, at the west end of the garden, is a fine mosque of red stone, and a large building, for purification for the support of the servants, attendants on the place, as readers of the Koran, gardeners, sweepers, lighters of the lamps, &c. was allotted a revenue of two lacks of rupees, under the direction of a Darogah, who was an Omrah of rank, and quitted the world for a religious retirement.

The golden pinnacle, the jasper gate, and richer ornaments of the buildings were taken away by the Jauts, who also, tempted by the beauty of the stones, tore up part of the Mosaic pavement, but being disappointed in expectation of the value of them, they desisted from farther ravages, so that the Taaje Mahal yet remains a magnificent and curious mark of the splendour of the Moguls.

Two coss north from Agra, is a large town, named Beinktah, where the Hindus have several temples, which are held in great veneration. Twelve coss from Agra, is Fallepoor, or Sichree, which Akbar adorned with a fine mosque, a convent for derveishes, and a fortified palace. Close to the town is a very extensive lake, on the bank of which the above emperor erected many pleasure houses, and a large inclosure for fighting elephants, playing at the chomgaum, throwing the lance, and other exercises; here is also an inexhaustable quarry of red stone, from which are dug tables of any length or breadth required.

Beana was formerly a large city, of which there are yet some stately remains, as arches, pillars, and some very fine subterraneous apartments. The indigo which grows in great plenty near this, is much esteemed. Mathurah, is a large town, famous for its temples among the Hindus, and is now in a very flourishing condition, owing to the residence in it of the families of the principal Moguls in Nujeeph Khan's service.

Canooje was formerly the capital of the ancient Hindu empire, and tradition says, extended along the banks of the Ganges to Futtyghur. Of the truth of which there is some evidence in the vast heaps of bricks and rubbish, and the rooms frequently discovered under them; but Canooje is at present only a small town, and remarkable for nothing but af fording the finest rose water, and âtar in Hindûstan, next to that brought from Cabul.