versed in the mythological history of Hindostan, yet as memory cannot be depended upon, and as my notes are imperfect with regard to the dimensions of the figures, and other matters of importance, I am indebted in this matter to Maurice, Niebuhr, and some other celebrated writers on India, for the following account of the interior:-"The length of this temple, measuring from the entrance, which is on the north-side, is 130 feet, and its breadth 123 feet the floor not being level, the height varies from 15 to .17 feet. The roof was supported by twenty-six pillars and eight pilasters, disposed in four rows; but several of the pillars are broken. Each column stands upon a square pedestal, and is fluted; but, instead of being cylindrical, is gradually enlarged towards the middle. Above the tops of the column a kind of ridge has been cut to resemble a beam about twelve inches square, and this is richly carved. Along the sides of the temple are cut between forty and fifty colossal figures, in height from twelve to fifteen feet-none of them being entirely detached from the wall. Some of those figures have on their head a kind of helmet; others wear crowns, with rich devices; and others again are without any other covering than curled and flowing hair. Some of them have four, and others six hands, holding sceptres, shields, symbols of justice, ensigns of religion, weapons of war, and trophies of peace. On the south-side, facing the entrance, is an enormous bust with three faces,

representing the triple deity, Brahma, Vishneu, and Siva;-Brahma, the creator, occupies the centre position. This face measures five feet in length; the width from the ear to the middle of the nose is three feet four inches; the width of the whole figure is near twenty feet. On the right is the Preserver, Visbneu; and Siva, the destroyer, is on the left, having in his hand a Cobra Capella, or hooded snake, and on his cap a human skull. To the left of this bust, amid a group of uncouth figures, is one, a female form, to which Niebuhr has given the name of Amazon, from the fact of its being without the right breast. This figure has four arms. The right fore-arm rests upon the head of a bull; the left fore-arm hangs down, and once contained something which is now mutilated and undistinguishable. The hand of the right arm grasps a Cobra Capella, and that of the hinder left arm holds a shield." At the east end is a passage, about eighteen feet long, terminating in an open space that admits the light through a sort of shaft-hole in the rock, and containing a delicious spring of the finest water to be found in this part of India. As Bombay has long been proverbial for the badness of its water, the table of the governor is occasionally supplied from this delicious spring; and many who are about to sail from the country lay in a few dozens of it for the voyage, as it keeps well. The approach to this place is guarded by four figures, fourteen feet high; beautifully executed, and more perfect than any to be

found in this temple. At the west end, and almost opposite the passage that leads to the well, is a room or recess about twenty feet square, having, in the centre of it, an altar, upon which are placed symbols of a worship, "offensive to European notions of delicacy." "The entrance to this recess is also guarded by eight naked figures, each 13 feet high, sculptured in a manner which shows that the people by whom they were executed must have made considerable progress in the statuary's art." The whole of this portion of the excavation is in a very ruinous condition, and the roof appears to be fast sinking in; thus threatening a speedy destruction to this altar and its detestable accompaniments. The floor is heaped up with rubbish that has crumbled from the side walls; and has doubtless considerably diminished the height of the apartment. The same may be said of the other rooms. This, as my friend privately told me, is called the chamber of abominations. He also observed, that, even in his memory, the whole of the temple was much changed for the worse. The rains are permitted to lodge within them four months out of the twelve; though a day or two's labour, and a few rupees expended in making a proper drain, would secure these interesting monuments from destruction. He thought that when the pillars should give way, the mountain above must bury all. I heard it stated in Bombay, that when the Portuguese visited this island, they were so horrified by the character of this heathen temple,

that they ordered a piece of heavily loaded cannon to be planted opposite the entrance, with the hope of destroying the principal pillars that support the roof, and burying the cave in the ruins of the mountain above it.

Like

No such violence, however, is now needed. all the works of man, this wonderful excavation is fast crumbling away beneath the great Spoiler's hand. The rock itself is soft and powdery to the touch, and is fast perishing from age and long exposure to the atmosphere; and the cave has long been deserted by the infatuated worshippers of the strange gods which it contains; while the enormous sums said to be exacted by the priests and others connected with it, have, doubtless, been diverted into other channels. The triple figure has been to some writers a source of strange conjecture as to its real meaning, and was long supposed to represent the Hindoo triad; though many believe it to be simply a figure of Siva, to whom this temple, and almost all similar structures in the West of India, are dedicated. This temple is filled with the images and transformations of Siva, the god of destruction; and as we are now in the midst of the heathen gods and goddesses, a few words about the celebrated Hindoo trinity may not prove uninteresting to my readers. The sacred books of India distinctly recognise the existence of one supreme and invisible Author and Ruler of the universe; and Sir William Jones has furnished us with a translation of the Vedas, from some of whose

texts we are enabled to glean their doctrines respecting the nature and attributes of the Deity. The following, extracted from the Gayatri, or holy passages, shows us what sublime ideas they entertained respecting the Great Invisible One.

"Let us adore the supremacy of that divine sun the Godhead, who illuminates all, who creates all, from whom all proceed, to whom all must return, whom we invoke to direct our understandings aright in our progress towards his holy seat.

"What the sun and light are to this visible world, that are the Supreme Good and Truth to the intellectual and invisible universe; and as our corporeal eyes have a distinct perception of objects enlightened by the sun, thus our souls acquire certain knowledge by meditating on the light of truth which emanates from the Being of Beings; that is the light by which alone our minds can be directed in the path to beatitude.

"Without hand or foot he runs rapidly, and grasps firmly; without eyes he sees; without ears he hears all; he knows whatever can be known; but there is none who knows him. Him the wise call the Great Supreme Pervading Spirit."

In the Hindoo trinity, Brahma, who stands at the head, is looked upon as the author of the world. He is represented as having produced everything out of himself, and all that was, or is, partakes of his essence. We cannot but smile at the history of his origin.— The Supreme mind is said to have deposited an egg in the waters, which it created, and which egg