but contributes also to conceal the functions of the _Eburandiri_, or high priest, who alone has the right of approaching the image. A great many lamps, filled with oil and butter, are kept burning around the chapel; and the offerings, which consist of rice, coco nuts, flowers, sesamum, pisangs, and other fruits, are deposited on a stool before the god, and left at the disposal of the priest. From the roof of the temple arises a long pole, to which is fastened, on days of solemnity, a large flag 70 feet in length. On this flag is represented an ox (the _Vahana_ or riding animal of the god _Shiva_) when the temple is dedicated to that deity; and in that case the ox or Apis is represented also in bas-relief above the small door of the chapel already described. There must always be a stream in the neighbourhood, in order that the Indians may wash themselves, and perform those ablutions which the service of the god requires. The sanctuary, for the most part, is surrounded by five or six rows of stone pillars, from eighteen to twenty feet in height, and ornamented with bas-reliefs of ingenious workmanship. In many temples the number of these columns amounts sometimes to sixty. It is astonishing how carefully the rules of architecture have been observed in constructing them: and as some of these temples are of very great antiquity, it consequently follows that this art must have flourished in India in the remotest periods. The most considerable cities and fortresses in _Carnada_, the latter of which are almost always built in the form of a square, are: _Palancotta_, _Balancada_, _Atur_, _Calianatur_, _Shelon_, _Tatagari_, _Calicurici_, _Tirucolur_, _Tiruvanelur_, _Trividi_, _Tiruvamatur_, _Valdur_, _Villamur_, _Perumaculam_, _Vìcravandi_, _Tindivanam_, _Gingi_, _Tirumala_, _Penatur_, _Palur_, _Cettupeli_, _Vandavagi_, _Uttamatur_, _Tiruvatur_, _Harani_, _Timeri_, _Arcati_, _Caveripac_, _Tacaculam_, _Tirupassur_, and _Tirupadi_. One will scarcely find a country so pre-eminently distinguished by its architecture, and which can exhibit so great a number of elegant temples and other public buildings. It is therefore highly probable that the sovereigns of _Carnada_ were formerly in the most flourishing circumstances, and that population and industry were carried to their utmost extent; for, without the united effect of these causes, such magnificent monuments could never have been erected[42]. In the early periods this district was subject to the kings of _Bisnagari_ or _Narasinha_. It afterwards came under the dominion of the great Mogul, who caused it to be governed by a nabob or viceroy; but as one unjust possessor generally endeavours to expel another, the Marattas found means to make themselves masters of it in 1740. They were, however, again driven out by the nabob of _Arrucate_, a prince of Indian extraction, who had embraced the Mahometan religion. The French, at that time, espoused the cause of