ing government, to secure the property which would then accumulate in such an enviable situation!

The commencement of the next day's journey was a continuation of the same delightful scenery; which, after a few miles, assumed a sterile stony aspect. This savage country increased so much as we approached Rajeghur, where it was intended to halt, that we anticipated a dreary encampment; and were agreeably surprised, after riding twenty miles, to find our tents pitched on the banks of the Nuaje, a broad river, with shady banks, and a plentiful stream of water. Rejeghur at a little distance appears to be built on a plain, but a nearer approach discovers the houses to stand in a straggling manner, on the sides of gullies, which form the streets. The fort, on an eminence, contains several good houses, and a tolerable bazar. The inhabitants of Rajeghur spin a great deal of cotton thread for the coarser manufactures, and express a quantity of oil from the seeds of those poppy heads which have already produced the annual supply of opium; this is the most common lamp oil used in this part of the country.

Ameer Sing, the rajah of Rajeghur, having been prepared for our arrival by a previous correspondence with Sir Charles Malet, behaved with great civility; and in addition to the usual supply of fuel, hay, milk and vegetables, sent a present of sweetmeats, tastefully prepared: among them was a plate of sugar-candy on strings, highly flavoured with roses. The rajah's cavalry made a respectable appearance in point of number and discipline.

In the evening Dewjee Goleh, a Mahratta general, in command of three thousand men, who arrived at Oojen before we left it, encamped near us at Rajeghur; and announcing his intention

of paying his respects to Sir Charles, soon afterwards arrived at our encampment. He carnestly solicited Sir Charles to remain a few days at Rajeghur, to further some views he had of enforcing the collection of an arrear of tribute due to his master Mhadajec Sindia, from the rajah Ameer Sihng; adding that the report of our marching with him from thence to Ragoghur, would be equally essential to the success of his demands on that rajah also. Nor did he seem pleased when Sir Charles pointed out the impropriety of his interfering in any disputes between the native princes, and especially with any evil intentions against a rajah who had received him with friendship, and behaved with the greatest kindness and hospitality. These considerations induced him to decline any interference, and at an early hour he intended setting off for Ragoghur; on this answer, accompanied by a handsome present, he took his leave.

Dewjee Goleh, this Mahratta chief, now marching in great style at the head of three thousand cavalry, was a man of low extraction in the herdsman tribe. In order to keep clear of his troublesome encampments in future, Sir Charles resolved to make only three stages to Ragoghur, instead of four, at the usual divisions; we therefore travelled twelve miles the next morning by torch-light, which prevents a description of the country; by that light it appeared to be generally a wild forest, and a most intolerable road. At day-break we reached Polycote, the customary halting-place, a pleasant village situated near five distinct baniantrees, spreading their venerable branches to a great extent; here were also some fine mango groves profusely covered with fruit. We

left Polycote with some reluctance, that we might keep the start of the Mahratta general and his cavalry.

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From thence the road led through a stony uninteresting country, intersected by dry water-courses, but no running stream. had been for some time on high ground, and now descending into a valley, we experienced that kind of pleasure which arises from variety. The scene had neither beauty nor fertility; but it differed from the monotonous stony plains over which we had so long laboured: the valley was about two miles broad, and extended several miles to a high hill, which there seemed its boundary; in the centre ran a small river, called the Parul, on whose banks we found the small village of Jellolpore, which we made choice of for our encampment. It is an excellent spot for the accommodation of a caravan, or a moderate army, a large plain, two commanding hills, plenty of water, and several deep ravines, but the extreme poverty of the village affords no supply of grain either for travellers or cattle.

The next morning we proceeded for three hours by torch-light over a barren country and a bad road. Day-break not only brought its own welcome delight, but introduced us to a fairer prospect, and we continued traversing a well cultivated plain until we reached a village called Kuchonder, near a hill-fort, where we found the inhabitants, who are subject to the rajah of Ragoghur, drawn up in battle array, at all the approaches; armed with match-locks, scimetars, spears, bows and arrows; their grain, collected in stacks, was strongly guarded, the cattle driven to a place of safety, and every possible disposition made for the defence of

their property; being in hourly expectation of an attack by Dewjee's detachment, for which they had mistaken us. On finding 'no reason for the alarm, they allowed us to pass their village with the greatest civility. On leaving Kuchonder, we ascended some barren hills, which led to a fertile champaign, surrounding a village called Petounda, where we found our tents pitched near a well of excellent water, while the horses and camels drank at a rivulet shaded by trees.

The following day we marched upwards of twenty miles to Ragoghur; the first part as usual by massaul-light. About half way we came to the river Parbuttee, and descending its steep banks, passed near two hundred yards over its stony bed, to an island; which having crossed, we reached the stream of water, and ascended the opposite banks; the whole pass occupying half a mile. We soon came within view of a high range of hills, with a large fort in front, which our guides informed us was Rogoghur; two hours afterwards we found ourselves between two lofty hills, approaching the foot of the central range. On that to the left stood the fort, very much concealed by trees and contiguous buildings. Here we were met by a chopdar, with a request from the rajah that we would not enter the town, but turn out of the road we were then on, which led to its gates, and ascend the middle hill. Not willing to give umbrage, we complied with the request, and by this means had a leisure view of one face of the town, which appears similar to Baroche, but considerably higher: the walls seem of a weak construction, and the numerous towers mount no cannon; on this quarter it appears quite inaccessible, and on the road side for a great extent were newly-made intrenchments, and

lines running from it to the fort. On gaining the summit of the hill the road took a northern direction, and we discovered the east angle with three towers; stretching to the north-west, it joined the west front, in the form of a triangle. From the ground allotted for our encampment we commanded a romantic view of woods, gullies, temples, houses, towers and rocks, strangely jumbled together, intermingled with cultivation, cattle, and large stacks of

corn.

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From the great extent of the walls and towers, erected at an immense expense, it is imagined the rajah intended Ragoghur as a place of safety, in case of necessity, for the whole of his subjects; yet from its situation it is exposed to so many disadvantages as must render the whole fruitless, being in a measure commanded from several places, and subject to a dangerous attack from two hills within three hundred yards of the out-works. want Sihng, the present rajah, is at war with Mhadajee Sindia, and having defeated a considerable force sent against him, is now carrying on further operations in person against a place about twelve coss off, his son, not more than fifteen years old, being in charge of the capital. The two powers have long been at variance, from a cause thus related to us from authentic intelligence.

Several years ago Ramchunder, a Mahratta chief, marching against the father of Bulwant Siling, attacked the fortress of Jercoon; but relinquishing that attempt, he carried his force against Ragoghur, his capital, where the rajah endeavoured to purchase its safely. The sum demanded was a lac and sixty thousand rupees, which being unable to furnish he had recourse to the friendship of the Holcar family; who, on a mortgage of three villages, ad