"Don't you know that they captured the place three years ago ?" "No, sir; I'm ashamed to say that I know nothing at all about India, except that the Company have trading stations at Bombay, Madras, and Calcutta." "I will tell you about it," the doctor said.

"It is as well that you should understand the position of affairs, at the place to which you are going.

You must know that the Company hold the town of Madras, and a few square miles of land around it, as tenants of the Nawab of the Carnatic, which is the name of that part of India.

The French have a station at Pondicherry, eighty-six miles to the sou'west of Madras.
This is a larger and more important town than Madras, and of course the greatest rivalry prevails between the English and French.
"The French are much more powerful than the English, and exercise a predominating influence throughout the Carnatic.

The French governor, Monsieur Dupleix, is a man of very great ability, and far-seeing views.