a condensing engine made by himself, which spouted water higher than
ours. He desired me to teach two men, his aruzbegs.

* * * * *

'I can assure you that Tippoo Sultan was mightily pleased with the
electric machine. He was prepared for every experiment I exhibited,
except the firing of the inflammable air.

* * * * *

'It did cost me several minutes before the firing of the inflammable air
proved successful; during which time he was in a very impatient
emotion; and, when that was done, it did indeed surprise him. He desired
me to go over it three times.

'I take the liberty to write for your information the familiar discourse
Tippoo Sultan was pleased to enter into with me, that took place at the
close of the experiments.

'There were some silver trumpets, newly made, brought in to him for his
inspection, and which he desired the trumpeters to sound _hauw_ and
_jauw_; i.e. come and go; after which, he asked me if they were like
those I saw at Madras. I answered, Yes; but those at Madras are
made of copper. He asked me again whether the tune was any thing like
what I had ever heard. I answered, No. How then? says he; and presently
ordering the instrument to be put into my hands, desired me to blow. I
told him, very civilly, that I could not blow. No! says he: you could;
what are you afraid of? I told him again that I spoke truth; and that I
was brought up in a school where my master informed me what lying was,