from
the chief idol in which was abstracted the "Orloff" Diamond. According
to Dutens' account, a French grenadier, having deserted the Indian
service, found employment in the neighbourhood of the temple, where he
soon learnt from native report that the sacred edifice contained a
celebrated idol of the Hindu god Sri-Ranga,* whose eyes were formed by
two large diamonds of inestimable value. These he determined to seize,
but no Christians being admitted beyond the fourth enclosure of the
pagoda, in order to effect his purpose he assumed the character of a
native devotee, and affected great veneration for this particular
divinity. By this means he gradually secured the unlimited confidence
of the unsuspecting Brahmins, and at last procured the appointment of
guardian to the inner shrine containing the object of his special
attentions. Taking advantage of a stormy night, he laid sacrilegious
hands on the deity entrusted to his watchful care, and wrenched one of
the glittering eyes from its socket, leaving the other undisturbed,
either because he was interrupted at his work, or because he discovered
that the corresponding orb was mere " paste." With his costly prize he
escaped through the raging tempest to the English army, then encamped
at Trichinopoly.-f and thence to
