brace it by choice. Of this disposition in regard to the people, generally, as of the bold and active courage which characterizes the Cshatriya or military cast, numerous examples might be given. We shall select only a few.

The Rajah of Ongole having been driven from his possessions by the late Nabob of the Carnatic, Mahomed Ally,* after some fruitless attempts to recover them, resolved to make a final effort for that purpose. He accordingly entered the province at the head of those who had accompanied him in his flight; and was soon joined by many of his former subjects. The officer who commanded the troops of the East India Company that were stationed in the province,+ marched to oppose him. The par ties met: in the engagement the Rajah was killed by a musket shot; and most of his principal followers having also fallen, the

* Known in history by that name, but who afterwards assumed that of Walaw Jaw.

+ Lieut. Colonel Thomas Fletcher.

rest of his troops were broken and dispersed. The English commander, being informed that a relation of the Rajah was on the field wounded, went up to him with an interpreter, to offer him his protection and assistance. He found him lying on the ground, and speaking to an attendant, of whom he was inquiring whether the Rajah's body had been saved and carried off the field. Being informed that it had, without deigning to reply to the officer, he gave himself a wound with his poniard, of which he almost instantly expired.

M. de Bussy having, in 1757, led the army which he commanded, into the provinces called the Northern Sircas, the revenue of which had been assigned to the French, by the Nizam Salabat Jung; Viziaramrauze, Rajah of Vizianagaram, the most powerful Rajah of Cicacole, was chiefly consulted by M. de Bussy, on the affairs of that province, and enjoyed a principal share in his confidence. Viziaramrauze being entrusted with the management and collection of the revenue, made

use of his authority to gratify an animosity that had long occupied his mind.

Some of the possessions of Rangarow, Rajah of Boobeli, bordered upon the territory belonging to Viziaramrauze, and disputes concerning their boundaries, and diverting the course of streams,* had frequently occurred between them: but the secret, and probably most powerful cause of hatred, was the consequence which Rangarow derived from superior birth, and who could not always conceal the indignation which a consciousness of this is apt to produce in persons of an elevated mind, when exposed to the insolence of one of inferior extraction, to whom fortune has been more propitious. Rangarow enjoyed the honour of an illustrious ancestry. He claimed his descent from the ancient kings of Orixa, and his person and family were universally respected. The family of Vi

* In a country where water is so much required for cultivation, this is often the subject of great dissension between neighbouring proprietors of lands.

ziaramrauze had been raised and enriched by intrigues at the courts of Mohammedan viceroys. He took an early opportunity of writing to Rangarow, calling on him to attend him as the delegate of the government, and to account with him for his tribute. The other saw the danger to which he was exposed if he refused-the indignity, if he complied; but his feelings being too powerful to yield to the suggestions of prudence, without deigning to reply, he wrote to M. de Bussy, assuring him of his readiness to conform in every thing to his commands, except attending on his enemy; a mortification he conjured him not to inThe letter was probably inter

sist upon. cepted by Viziaramrauze, and Rangarow's silence and non-appearance were construed into insolence and disaffection. About the same time, some Sepoys in the French service, with some of Viziaramrauze's Peons, in attempting to enter the Boobeli district, were driven back. The people of that country say, they were sent on purpose by him, without any communication

to the Rajah, with a view to provoke resistance. But in whatever way it arose, this circumstance confirmed the opinion M. de Bussy had been taught to entertain; and Viziaramrauze availed himself of that disposition, to persuade him to march against Boobeli. When Rangarow was informed of the motions of the French army, and that Viziaramrauze accompanied it; the former attempt that had been made to enter his territory, and his letter not having been replied to, concurred in making him believe that his ruin was resolved. Being too high spirited to fly, or preferring any alternative to that of living as a suppliant in another country, he took the fatal resolution to prepare for defence, and suffered himself to be shut up in an ill-constructed fort with his family and principal relations. The place was attacked; the artillery soon made a breach in the walls, but the besieged, fighting with the courage produced by resentment and despair, repulsed an assault, though sustained with per