.

interesting, so much so, that in my opinion, it deserves to be inscribed in a Persian couplet on the tomb of the illustrious character to whom it relates. Lord Cornwallis died, as every one must remember, in October, 1805, at Ghazeepoor: some ingenious wit has discovered that the name of this place represents, by the rules of the abjed," the period of his decease, thus,

66

1000+ 1+ 7 + 10 + 2 + 200

=

1220,

or,

which is the year of the Hejira corresponding to A.D. 1805. The above was communicated to me by a learned native friend of mine; but with the name of the author, or rather the discoverer, of the Chronogram, I am unacquainted. The coincidence in it is very remarkable, and it surprizes me much that it has not before been offered to the public.

Sir William Jones very justly observes, that every Asiatic subject partakes of infinity, and indeed it may be said of them-" facilis descensus, sed revocare gradum-hoc opus, hic labor est ;" or as La Fontaine makes Renard remark of the Lion's den," je vois fort bien comme l'on entre, et ne le vois pas comme on en sort,"-I will not therefore venture farther in, lest I be unable to extricate myself.

Addison has condemned this kind of composition as a species of false wit, and to controvert any of his decisions, is neither in my inclination or power;—yet like its fellow-sufferers, puns, ana

grams, &c. it has been much more abused, I think, than it has deserved to be. Of its illegitimacy there is no doubt, and to waste on its composition, as much time and toil as would produce a folio of Theology, would certainly be ridiculous ;-yet when an unstudied Chronogram is offered to us, which contains a happy coincidence or allusion, a smile for the ingenious discoverer can hardly be said to be thrown away.

Yours, &c.

NUGARUM AMATOR.

JOURNAL FROM MANGALORE TO SERINGAPATAM.

(Concluded from page 73.)

1ST FEBRUARY.-We scoured one or two other woods on our return, and towards evening reached Nauknar.

2d.-Halted this day at Nauknar. The Coorgs are a hardy race of mountaineers, and somewhat similar, in their manners and martial appearance, to the Rajpoots of Hindostan. They go always armed with a kuttee, or Coorga hatchet; and being on every occasion accustomed to wear this singular weapon, use it with the greatest dexterity. It is

also an established custom among the natives, to clothe every male child, when only three years old, with a kumberbund; at the age of seven they assume the kuttee, and at twelve carry a matchlock. From twenty until the age of fifty, they yield, whenever required, an alternate personal attendance of fifteen days on the Rajah. Part of the men are thus employed on the public service, and the rest remain with their families, attending to the cultivation of their lands.

This custom resembles the feudal system of the ancient Germans, and other nations who invaded the Roman Empire, in the decline of its power; every vassal being obliged to perform military service for the lands he held of his liege lord.

This territory was subject, several centuries ago, to the same family that at present possess the government. From the strength of the country, and the character of the inhabitants, I am inclined to think, the small but mountainous district of Coorga was at all times independent, until Hyder Ali obtained a footing in the country, by interfering in the family disputes of former Rajahs. The Mysorean Regent subjugated the neighbouring districts belonging to the Rajahs of Bednore, Soondoor, and other petty chieftains of Malabar; and, in consequence of some dispute concerning the right of inheritance, he afterwards invaded Coorga. Hyder, having espoused the cause of Singa Rajah, and his adherents, reinstated him, in opposition to another

branch of the family in authority; obtained the cession of several districts above and below the Ghauts, and imposed a tribute on the country: among the districts ceded are those of Soolia and Bellary.

Veer Rajander Warriar (or Warrior,) the present Rajah, succeeded about twenty-one years ago to his paternal inheritance. Being left a minor, Hyder, in the name of the young Prince, assumed the government of the country, and shortly after, put him into confinement. Against this usurpation the inhabitants continually revolted, and gained many advantages over the Mysorean troops, until Tippoo, by an insidious peace, contrived to cut off, or carry into bondage, many thousands of the unfortunate Coorgs; part of the prisoners were sent to Seringapatam, circumcised, and formed into slave battalions; the remainder having been distributed among the villages and towns of Mysore.

In 1787, the Rajah escaped from confinement, collected an inconsiderable number of his subjects, defeated the enemy in several engagements, and, by his own gallantry and good conduct, regained the patrimony of his ancestors. Veer Rajander, however, never obtained the entire or undisturbed possession of his country, until the conclusion of the war, in 1792 at this time it was guaranteed to him by the English, very much against the inclination of the revengeful Mysorean.

It is worthy of remark, that, at a time when the Rajah was besieging one of the principal forts, or strong-holds, in this country, a Mussulman, who, in adverse days, had been the young Rajah's friend, advanced with a convoy to the relief of the place: being unable to effect it by force, he applied, in this dilemma, to the Rajah, and acquainted him, that a failure of the duty he had been ordered upon, would prove fatal to himself and family, since it was the constant policy of his master to detain the latter at Seringapatam, to answer for any misbehaviour or misconduct in his servants. Veer Rajander admitted the convoy, to save his benefactor.

The Rajah has always shewn the greatest attachment and fidelity to the English, as the following orders, by Generals Floyd and Stuart, will evince: -"Major-General Floyd desires to inform the troops he has the honour to command, that the Coorga Rajah, who this day received them in the field, expressed the highest approbation at the appearance of the corps, composing the division of the Grand Army.

66

Major-General Floyd thinks it necessary, for the public information, to state, that the army under General Stuart, has lately received the same ample assistance, as that under Sir Ralph Abercrombie experienced during the late war, from this faithful ally of the British Government in India."