BUHÂÛDDEEN and Kustoory Runga, who were sent [some time since] to Bengal, for the purpose of procuring silk-worms, are now on their re­turn [to Seringapatam], by the way of Sedhout. On their arrival, you must ascertain from them the proper situation in which to keep the afore­said worms, and provide accordingly. You must, moreover, supply for their food [leaves of] the wood or wild mulberry-trees, which were for­merly ordered to be planted [for this purpose]. The number of silk-worms brought from Bengal must likewise be distinctly reported to us. We desire, also, to know, in what kind of place it is recommended to keep them, and what means are to be pursued for multiplying them.

There is a vacant spot of ground behind the old palace, lately used as a Tosheh-khâneh, or store-house, which was purchased some time ago with a view to building upon it. Prepare a place somewhere near that situation, for the [temporary] reception of the worms.*

When the peculiar circumstances, under which the foregoing letter was written, are adverted to, it will, no doubt, be allowed to furnish a striking proof, both of the coolness and activity of the Sultan’s mind. He was, at the date of it, not only deliberating on the measures to be pursued with respect to Shânoor; in plan­ning the future operations of the war in which he was engaged; and in providing for the safety of Bûrhânûddeen’s army; but he was, in fact, on the eve of a general engagement with the Mahrattahs. Yet all these important and urgent considerations united, were not capable of diverting his attention from any of the minor objects of his interest. Thus, in the bustle of a camp, and in the face of an enemy, he could find leisure, and was sufficiently composed, to meditate on the rearing of silk-worms. This, indeed, was a very favorite, though, I believe, an unsuccessful pursuit with the Sultan; who actually established, or proposed to establish, no less than twenty-one principal stations within his dominions, where the breeding of the silk-worm was directed to be attended to with the utmost care and diligence. These stations are specified in one of the sections of the instruc­tions issued to the Meer Asof, or revenue department, in the year 1794.