_Tanjaur_, the capital of the province, is situated in 10° 35′ north latitude, between the two arms of the river _Cavèri_. The most considerable cities next to this are: _Vallam_, _Màdèvipatnam_, or the city of the great goddess _Lakshmi_, _Patucòtta_, _Tiruvalur_, and _Tirumannur_. Beyond the boundaries of _Tanjaur_, towards the west, on the left bank of the _Cavèri_, and in the latitude of 10° 45′, lies the celebrated city of _Tricinapalli_, where at present the English have their seat of government, and the principal part of their forces. They made choice of it for the capital of the province, and their chief magazine of arms, because they can thence keep in subjection, with the greatest ease, the two kingdoms of _Tanjaur_ and _Madura_; overawe the deposed kings and princes; collect the public revenue, the rice crops, and the taxes, without much trouble; and can be always ready to march with their troops, at a minute’s warning, to any quarter wherever symptoms of insurrection may appear. On the sea-coast, towards the east, in the kingdom of _Tanjaur_, lies the temple _Collamedu_; and the city of _Negapatnam_, which belongs to the English, and is strongly fortified; also the city of _Torangapuri_, or _Tranquebar_; _Naur_, particularly celebrated on account of its cotton manufactures; the city and fortress of _Karinkalla_, which once belonged to the French; _Cialenbron_, an ancient Pagan temple; and _Divyacotta_, which was formerly an excellent castle. The river _Cavèri_ divides itself into several arms or channels: one of these, which branches off not far from _Cirangam_, is distinguished by the name of _Colàrru_. It is much larger and broader than even the _Cavèri_ itself. The latter flows towards the east, but the former pursues its course towards the north; and both discharge themselves into the sea through several mouths. It is to be ascribed chiefly to these two rivers that the kingdom of _Tanjaur_ produces such an abundance of rice. It grows there in so great quantities, that this land may with propriety be called the granary of all _Ciòlamandala_. Most foreigners endeavour to establish themselves in this province, or at least to carry on trade with it. In the year 1619 the king of Tanjaur, _Raghu-nathe-nayaguen_, gave up the city of _Torangapuri_, or _Tranquebar_, to the Danes, who immediately formed there a celebrated missionary establishment for propagating the Lutheran religion. In 1638 the French obtained from _Sovadsadiragia_, another king of Tanjaur, the city and harbour of _Carinkalla_, which they name _Carikal_. In 1658 the Dutch and the Portuguese made themselves masters of the city of _Nagapatnam_, and in 1783 it was taken from the Dutch by the English, and never again restored. It is of the utmost importance to the latter, since they have had possession of the kingdom of _Tanjaur_. Before they added this country to their Indian possessions, they employed every method possible, by