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124 The Aristocracy of Southern India. The title of Rajah as a personal distinction was conferred on him by the Government of India in 1887, when H. E. the then Governor of Madras, wrote as follows:—

Madras, January 6th, 1886.

"My Friend, ^

Now at last I am able to address you as Rajah officially and I need hardly say that it gives me very great pleasure to do so.

Long may you live to enjoy honors and to benefit your people on your noble estate.

Believe me to be, Your sincere friend, (Signed; M. E. GEANT-DUFF."

The Rajah Sahib and Sir M. E. Grant-Duff were on very friendly terms, and they always corresponded with each other. We give here one of the letters written by his Excellency to the Rajah Sahib:—

November 6th, 1886, GUINDY.

"My dear Rajah,

It is always a great pleasure to me to hear from you and I trust that when I am in Europe I may now and then have tidings of your welfare.

I think it must be you who have sent me a very pretty little carved bottle which came yesterday from Mandasa with a letter.

Will you permit me to offer two books of myself—the one published and relating to my life here—the other privately printed and belonging to my pre-Indi::,n life.