THE city of Ougein, situated in 23° 14' is remarkable for its antiquity, and the splendor which formerly distinguished it. Even now, its riches are immense, and it is in other respects far superior to any other I have seen in this part of the world.

It is at present the capital of Doulut Rao Scindeah, and is said to have been formerly the resi-, dence of the great prince, Bicker Majet, and was about 70 years ago, granted in Jaghire to Ranojee Scindeah, the ancestor of the present chieftain. It is as extensive as Surat, but discovers evident marks of much greater extent, from large bricks being frequently dug up three or four miles distance

from the suburbs.

We approached the city on the N W side, and were surprized as we advanced, to see nothing but a few very high pagodas rising in the midst of innumerable pleasure grounds, dispersed with infinite taste, and calculated altogether to charm the eye. Beyond these gardens runs the river Tunbra, a narrow irregular stream, whose banks are very rugged, and the water of no depth. As we came under the walls, the town for the first time, became discernible.

From this quarter the entrance was not favourable, we had to pass through a narrow but well paved street, leading to the main street, which runs in a straight line due south and west, the whole extent of the city.

Nothing can exceed the uniformity of their buildings; on the

ground floor, which is considerably raised from the pavement, runs a regular succession of shops beneath one continued piazza, forming a most pleasing coup d'oeil, and these shops exhibit all the costly variety, and the richest productions of India, Persia, China, and even Europe.

The public bazars for vegetables, grain, fruit, among which are apples, melons, grapes, pomegranates, &c. appeared well stored with every thing, and at a cheaper rate than I have been accustomed to find them. to find them. Notwithstanding which, we saw several persons dead, and dying, in the public streets. This, was explained, by telling us, they were strangers, and the fear every inhabitant had to shew the appearance of superfluity, occasioned this lamentable want of humanity in the midst of opulence.

At about two miles distance, on the western bank, is Behro Ghur, or Mahadjee Ghur, the, former name is in compliment to a favourite idol, the latter to Mahadjee Scindeah, by whom it was erected.

This fort is very extensive, and surrounded by a ditch nearly 20 feet deep, communicating with the river at each extremity. The walls are masonry, but do not reach the parapet; there is also an interior fortification, square, and presenting a face each way of about 150 yards. This Mahadjee Scindeab built for his own residence, but remains also unfinished.

On the same side, and nearly two

two miles higher up, is an edifice of peculiar strength, in good repair, but of a most gloom v aspect. It is erected on an artificial island, formed for the purpose, by a diversion of the stream of Sisera, and connected with the western bank by a bridge of 16 arches. In the western or artificial stream, is a surprising multitude of various apartments, constructed on a level with the water, and in the midst thereof, the water being conveyed round them in various channels, into reservoirs for the purpose, from whence it is discharged by little artificial cascades, which add considerably to the romantic effect of the whole, into proper outlets leading to the bed of the river.

During the rains, the whole of these buildings are covered with water, but such is the wonderful strength of the masonry, that it resists these repeated shocks, and continues in high preservation.

The apartments are admirably calculated for coolness, each recess being furnished with rings, to which I understand curtains to have been affixed, made of the aromatic root, called Kusee, which being wetted, gives a delicious coolness to the entering air.

On the western side of the river, are two large stone inclosures, one within the other, the lesser appears to have been a garden, the other a park, from the ruins of a wall three or four miles in extent.

Of this singular work, the only account I could get from the natives, was, that it had been the abode of Ghore' Shah. The first

princes of Malwa, after the subversion of the empire of Delhi, were of that tribe, but the government afterwards fell into the hands of the Gilgees. On consulting, however, an authentic history of the province, I had the good fortune to make the following dis.covery.

"Sultaun Nasis ul Deen Gihgee, son of Gheas ul Deen, ascended the throne of Malwa, in the year of the Hejira 905, and reigned eleven years and four months, This prince who was cruel and oppressive, built the water works at Kalleah Dé, and Saadar Pore, for having contracted an intolerable heat in his habit by eating quicksilver, he spent his whole time in these watery abodes, and car ried on the business of his govern ment there."

By the above account, these works are 300 years old, and their permanence through so long a period, and so constant and so great a force of water, is certainly much to be admired.

The inhabitants appeared very affable and frank, asked a number of questions, and were communicative in return. One of our

party was a cavalry officer, dressed in his uniform, the helmet of which is similar to those worn by the 19th dragoons. This circumstance occasioned him almost to be venerated, as they conceive that corps to be invincible.

Holkar surrounded this city some months ago, and by threats extorted a considerable sum of money from the inhabitants.

Method

The Pepper should be planted in a

low firm grouud.

IN the beginning of the month of June, when the rain falls incessantly, at the foot of a jack, mango, cajou, marcin, or any other tree, whose bark is rough or prickly, dig a hole one foot deep, the breadth and length six inches, into this hole put a piece, taken from the extremity of one of the branches of a pepper vine, then fill it up with earth, taking care no water is therein, and that none may remain after planting. In the month of July the roots will extend themselves in the ground, and the sprouts will appear on the surface, when they are to be tied to a tree, and a circular bank of earth thrown up round them, that they may enjoy the moisture of the water, which remains on the ground, and thereby kept from being inflamed by the heats, which subsist from the month of July to October, when the rains cease; cover the root of the vines with fresh leaves, it matters not from what tree, so that they have the quality of cooling. If the ground is too dry, water the same, morning and evening; but if it is entirely cool, twice in eight days is sufficient. Then plant five or six sprigs at the foot of the same tree, taking particular care they in no wise touch each other.

Ten days after the rains are set in, remove the leaves that cover the root of the vine; pull up the grass that may have grown near them, and demolish the circular bank of earth made to contain the water, that none may remain at the VOL. 6.

foot of the tree. In the month of August repeat the same. The vines are to be cherished in this manner for three years.

It must be observed, that the foot of the vines should be covered every year, in the manner before mentioned.

If the vine is once smothered by the heat, it will begin to languish and produce no fruit; so it is necessary to follow the above instruc tions.

The leaves ought likewise to be removed in the month of June, to prevent the white ant from eating the root of the vine; those vermin being much given to eat the leaves, which the rain draws into the ground, and thereby come to the roots of the vine, which they prey upon likewise.

Observe also, that the vine is not too much affected by the heat of the sun, on account of the proximity of the water.

These pepper vines ought not to be planted at the foot of trees, whose bark is smooth, as they will in consequence fall to the ground; therefore always make choice of those that are rough and prickly. The manner of planting in the month of February, when the ground is low and firin.

Having made a hole ten inches from the tree, the depth thereof being fifteen inches, the length and breadth twelves inches cach, take seven branches from the extremity of the vine, cut them thirty inches long, and put them into the hole, then fill it three quarters with earth, and the remainder with fresh

end of which take off the skin, and after you have mixed good red earth, with cow-dung and water, put the pepper into it, exposing the same to the sun for three days, only early in the morning and the evening; it is necessary this mixture be neither too thick nor too thin; after this, plant the same in an earthern pot, every grain at a certain distance, taking care to water them every day, with a water-pot, until the stalk has four leaves; then dig a hole at the foot of a tree, two feet deep and nine inches long and broad; take cowdung and ashes of all sorts of firewood, put it into the hole, and mix the same with the ground dug out of it, taking care to fill it in such a manner, that there only remains five inches of elevation. Fifteen days after plant four pepper vines in every hole, cover them with earth two inches deep; during the summer water them every day, morning and evening, and cover them during the rains; likewise take care that no water remains at their feet, by covering them with earth, as they ought to be; as soon as the rains are over, throw up a circular bank of earth round them, to contain the water they are wa

tered with. In this manner they must be nourished for three years; in the fourth year they will begin to give fruit. These instructions are to be followed every year. These pepper plants are planted either in high or low ground, but it is necessary it be very firm. Manner of planting where salt wa

ter is.

After having made a hole, thirteen inches square, at the foot of a tece, fill the same half up with good red earth, without mixing it in the least with the salt water; then plant therein ten slips of those vines, at a certain distance, and cover the same with good red earth. When the rains are over, throw again red earth at their feet, and make a circular bank round them, to form a conservatory, for watering them every other day, taking particular care to cover the feet of the branches with fresh leaves. In the beginning of the rains, fill the conservatory, and take away the leaves, observing to pull up the grass that sprouts at their feet, covering them with red earth, at the same time spreading some round about; they are to be nourished every year, as is pointed out at the beginning of these instructions.