112
*4
Irl fH I
to convince them that this assertion must
be ililse, as Tippoo Saib was never sold to
the English, but was slain during the siege
of Seringapatam, but I found it impossible
to remove the impression. The fact appears
to be, that Monsieur de B. was in the confidence
o fth e Mahajee Scindeah, and commanded
his infantry, and that, on leaving
India, he transferred his regiment, which he
raised at his own expence, to the English;
but how far the charge of treachery may
have any foundation in truth, I could not
learn. The want of a free press in Savoy
precludes the possibility of those discussions,
which might have elicited the truth
of this story in the only place where any
interest is felt respecting it. I should not
have thought it right to have adverted to
the circumstance, but it is so generally
spoken of in Savoy, and the public feeling
and prejudice is so strong against Mon.
de B., that it cannot possibly do him any
injury by stating it. Though personally
unknown to Mon. de B., I considered it
a duty to correct what was said respecting
his treachery to Tippoo, knowing it could
not be true, and I nearly involved myself
in a serious dispute by contradicting it, at
the public table at Aix, but fortunately
I was supported by historic records, which
were referred to. However they may be
mistaken in the facts, the feelings of the
Savoyards, on this subject, prove their high
sense of honour and fidelity, for which they
have ever been celebrated.
In England, if a man returns to his native
place loaded with riches, if he is liberal
in his distribution of them, keeps a splendid
equipage, and gives good dinners, we seldom
enquire by what means he acquired
his wealth.
Le vrai Amphitryon est celui avec qui l’on dine.’
M oliere.
The house of Mon. de B., called Buisson-
rond, is much like the country mansions
of many of our nobility. It is splendidly
furnished in the English taste, and
the rooms are ornamented with a profusion
of pictures and engravings. The
latter were chiefly English, and several
of them were not the most decorous ; nor
was the want of propriety atoned for, by
any superior merit in the execution. The
Belvidere, or round tower, in the centre of
the grounds, commands a fine panoramic
VOL. I.