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 engagement 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 2 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 a 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 imnight 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 navigable 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 situ ation 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 canes. This is the southern extremity of Que dh, 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 bounded 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 apart ments, finished with all the elegance India could afford. Thavenot, 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 rupecs. 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 scrais. 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 with 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 Oinrah 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 erectcd many pleasure houses, and a large inclosure for fighting ele phants, 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 affording the finest rose water, and atar in Hindustan, next to that brought from Cabul.

Some

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 residence 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 NW 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'œil, 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. 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 lament.ble 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, squire, and presenting a face each way of about 150 yards. This Mahadjee Scindeah built for his own residence, but remains also unfinished.

On the same side, and nearly

two