the
French army which garrisoned the French possessions of Pondicherry
deserted from his flag and became a Hindoo. This conversion was not the
result of deep inward conviction, but of far-sighted craft. The
Frenchman had heard of the great Sringeri-matha, the most holy spot in
all Mysore. This temple, situated on an island at the junction of the
Cavery and the Coleroon, was one of four especially sanctified
monasteries founded in the eighth century by Sankaräcarya. This man, a
strict Brahmin, restored the glories of the old religion somewhat
dimmed by Buddhism, and planted a monastery in each of the four
extremities of India to keep alive the faith of Brahma. The one at
Srirangam was noted, and the resort of pilgrims. It consisted of seven
distinct inclosures, many lofty towers, and a gilded cupola, besides
which it
