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SCULPTURES AND PAINTINGS.

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magnitude of the stones, and the boldness of the design, I was not surprised that one of the Hindoos who accompanied us should say, that it was the work of the gods.

There is no doubt that the large stones used in this building, were raised to their places by means of the inclined plane, a method still in use by native architects. One of the natives said that the mound used to raise these stones was constructed of cotton.

We descended from the porch, and entered the sacred inclosure, which we found occupied by streets of bazaars and dwelling-houses, crossing each other and leading to the different quarters where the towers are erected, and religious ceremonies are performed. We passed under several of the towers in going to the Thousand Pillar Choultry, an immense room, the roof of which is supported by a thousand pillars of stone, and I suppose designed to accommodate the devotees and pilgrims who assemble at annual festivals. The chief curiosity of this choultry is the workmanship of some outside pillars, which have projecting from them, in full relief, a variety of figures, such as a man on horseback, almost as large as life, contending with an elephant, a tiger, or some other ferocious animal. These figures are of one stone with the pillar; indescribable care and skill must have been required in the sculpture, as well as in the removing and raising of them.

We were conducted to the flat roof of the Thousand Pillar Choultry, that we might thence see the gilded dome erected over the shrine of the principal idol, which we were not allowed to approach. In passing and repassing through this temple, our eyes were continually offended by the most indecent and monstrous figures in plaster, or paintings on the walls of the same character; which might have been intended for personifications of sin, but are, in the estimation of the Hindoos, the legitimate ornaments of their places of worship: such is the character of Hindoo

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CURIOUS BOAT-NATIVE CONGREGATION.

idolatry! The monkeys inhabiting this vast building are of a large size, and very bold: we were told that but a few days previous, one of them had run towards a gentleman standing on the top of the principal gateway, as though with the intention of casting him down; and that it was probable he would have done so, but for the number of the attending natives, who scared him away.

On leaving the temple we were beset by a crowd of brahmins, who as usual were not ashamed to beg hard for a little money. On these occasions I always rewarded my conductor, but abstained from further liberality, lest it should be misconstrued into an offering to the idols of the place, under which character it was in fact generally solicited.

When we came to the bank of the river, we found the large boat in which we had crossed it, at a great distance, and therefore entered a smaller boat of very peculiar construction it was quite round, made of wicker work, and covered outside with leather or skin. From its circular form, it turned round in the water, till I should sometimes have been puzzled to tell which bank of the river we were approaching; but being very light, it was exceedingly manageable, and carried us safely to the opposite side.

Mr. Rosen took me to see another large temple within the fort of Trichinopoly, which is now quite deserted, having been polluted by the military during the war. I found several European soldiers and their families residing under its vast roof: they had built slight partition walls, to render their quarters more snug and private.

On Wednesday I again met my favourite congregation, the natives. They were improved both in numbers and behaviour: some of them seemed to think seriously on the subjects brought before them. At the conclusion of the service, one of the women came to the vestry door, and by her attitude shewed that she wished to be noticed, though she feared to intrude. I asked her what she wanted; she

ENCOURAGING SUCCESS.

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said she had been in darkness till now, but as she had received light, was desirous of acting by it, and to make a profession of Christianity by baptism. Another then

came, and begged me to baptize her little girl, the daughter of an European soldier, who had returned home some years ago. I asked if she herself had been baptized: she replied, "No." "Why, then, do you wish your child to be baptized? is it not enough if she is as you are?" The tears began to trickle down her cheeks. Another native woman was brought by her husband, who was an Irishman: he had married her, though a heathen; but having lately become serious, and joined the society, was anxious that she also should be instructed and baptized; she appeared to be equally desirous of it.

Although I had no reason to doubt the sincerity of any of these individuals, I did not feel at liberty to baptize them without further knowledge, or before they had been more adequately instructed. I gave them, therefore, some suitable advice, and recommended them to Mr. Rosen: he sent his catechist to instruct them in the principles of Christianity, and ultimately administered baptism to them, and to one or two more who had not come forward so prominently on that day; and I have since several times heard concerning them, that they continue to adorn their profession. This was the more remarkable, as the previous character of two or three of them had been notoriously bad.

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Soon after six o'clock the same evening, I preached to the English congregation, and afterwards met the classes, a service which occupied me till ten o'clock; the officers of the regiment having kindly granted permission to the men to remain out of their quarters till that hour, if neces sary. In this meeting I was greatly encouraged by finding reason to believe, that my visit and ministrations among them had not been in vain. As during my stay, so also at parting from them, I received every demonstration of affection and regard.

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CHAPTER XVI.

AUGUST AND SEPTEMBER, 1823.

Journey-Kowiladi-Comboconum-Myaveram-Conversation with Natives - Sheeally-Cuddalore-Christian Natives - Pondicherry - High Mass-Matrantam Sheoor-Native Spinning-Hospitality— Atcharawauk -Carangooly-Sallawauk-Wallajahbad-Conjeveveram―Cauverypauk—Arcot-Vellore-A. Maclean, Esq.-Return to Madras.

I HAD intended to have proceeded from Trichinopoly through Salem, to Mysore and Seringapatam, and to return to Madras by way of Bangalore; but receiving letters from Mr. Lynch at Madras, desiring me on many accounts to hasten my return thither, I was induced to relinquish my intention, and to choose a nearer route.

On Thursday the 14th August, I quitted Trichinopoly, and travelled through a beautiful country. Nearly the whole, with the exception of the roads and hedges, was under water, from the swelling of the Cauvery, which occasions an annual irrigation as valuable and necessary to that part of India, as the overflowing of the Nile is to Egypt. The bright green of the newly sprung paddy, or rice, just rising above the surface of the water, was refreshing to look upon; the air was in some measure cooled by the universal irrigation; and clumps of trees, of a dark green foliage, sheltering the cottages of the cultivators, studded the country at intervals, as far as the eye could reach. In such scenery, and at such a season, the providential goodness of God is mightily displayed; but the people who enjoy its blessings, do not in general know the

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Author of them, but attribute the whole to the river, or to the idols, the objects of their worship.

I rested in the middle of the day at Kowiladi; and in the evening, resuming my journey, travelled towards Comboconum, nearly fifty miles on the road from Trichinopoly to Madras; and was there received with brotherly affection by the Rev. Mr. Barenbruck, of the Church Missionary Society.

I had there, also, the pleasure to meet J. Cotton, Esq. of Negapatam, on an official tour through his district, who with his usual kindness offered me his tent whilst I remained at Comboconum, as Mr. Barenbruck had not sufficient room even for his own family, in the small bungalow he was then occupying as a temporary residence.

On Sunday, Mr. B's. house was well filled by the native congregation: a considerable part of it was composed of the young men of the Christian native seminary under his care, whose appearance and order did much credit both to themselves and their instructer.

The following day the young men were catechised on the sermons they had heard; and were able to give a good account both of that delivered by myself in the morning, and of Mr. B's. in the evening.

In my walks with Mr. Barenbruck through the streets and neighbourhood of this large town, I could not but observe that his character appeared well known to its inhabitants. We met with many heathens who were quite willing to hear and to converse on the subject of religion. I had not hitherto seen so entirely respectable a native population, or one among whom there seemed less bigotry, notwithstanding the large proportion of brahmins.

There are in Comboconum several temples and an old palace, well worth notice; but the object which most strikingly illustrates the superstitions of the people, is a tank or pool, into which they believe that the Ganges

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