YOU write, “that agreeably to [our] orders, the Pagoda which was “in front of the blessed Durgâh [or shrine] has been demolished, but “that the Aumil will not resign [to you] the ground [on which it stood].”

It is known. The Aumil will make over the aforesaid ground [to you], when you must annex the same to the premises of the Durgâh.

You have requested of us “to issue our orders to the Aumil of Selim “..........* to put you in possession of [or continue to you] the [usual] fees,* &c.” It is known. Whatsoever was thought proper to be directed on the subject of fees, &c. has been directed. It is not our custom to repeat our orders.*

Whatever might have been the bigotry of the Sultan, it would appear, from the general style and tenor of the foregoing letter, that his respect for the priest­hood was not of a nature to prevent their experiencing, occasionally, together with the other orders of his subjects, that acerbity of manner, which so much distin­guished his character. Nubby Shâh is one of those, to whom the circular proclamation, or manifesto, against the infidels (inserted at page 293) was forwarded; and was, probably, the governing priest of the principal Durgâh at Bangalore.

Although the present collection furnishes several instances, in which the Sultan is seen to repeat orders already issued, yet it is certain, that he was not in the habit of doing so; and that is probably all that he meant, by saying that “it was “not his custom.” His commands were, in general, too peremptory, and the consequences of disobeying them too well understood, to make it often necessary to reiterate them.