they strong enough for the purpose. They were doubtless appropriated to some purpose, probably during the celebration of solemn festivities, to suspend lamps or flowers from. The antiquity of this beautiful and majestic temple will be examined after the excavations of Elephanta have been described.

The island of Elephanta, about two leagues from Bombay, is rather more than six miles in circumference, and has the appearance of a long hill divided in two, there being a low narrow valley running between two abrupt eminences which skirt it on either side. About a furlong from the beach, there formerly stood erect the figure of an elephant, thrice the size of life, rudely sculptured out of an enormous mass of dark-coloured rock; and from this circumstance, the island derived its name, which was given to it by the Portuguese. The hill which contains the excavations is ascended by a narrow path, winding amongst rocks, trees, and underwood; and about half way up, the first cave opens upon the view. The entrance is by no means so imposing as that of Salsette; and, from the lowness of the roof, the spectator is constantly reminded of being in a cave or rocky subterranean chamber. Yet his surprise and admiration are excited to the highest degree when he enters; and all travellers concur in stating, that it is entitled to the whole of the praise which has been lavished upon it. Rows of massive columns cut out of the solid rock, in uniform order, and regularly placed, form three magnificent avenues leading from the top to the bottom. The capitals of each seem to form a cushion, upon which the roof rests; and so admirably are they cut, that they appear as if they had collapsed by the weight of the superincumbent mass. The apartment is surrounded by handsome colonnades, the pillars of which are carved with uncommon delicacy. The sides are adorned with groups of figures in alto relief, placed at regular distances, and terminating the avenues formed by the colonnades, so that only one group is seen at á time, except on a near approach: the regularity and proportion of the whole are remarkably striking. The

figures are generally in graceful attitudes; but an indication of corresponding muscular strength is awanting in those of gigantic size.

In a recess at the bottom, facing the vestibule, and nearly in the centre, is an enormous bust having three faces, each five feet in length, the whole being six yards in height. This is generally supposed to represent the deity in the Hindoo mythology-Brahma, Vishnoo, and Siva-in the characters of the creator, preserver, and destroyer. The face in the middle displays regular features, and a placid serenity of character. It is adorned with a towering head-dress, on each side of which is a profusion of ornaments. The aspect of Vishnoo has the same mild character as that of Brahma; but in the countenance of Siva, severity and revenge, the characteristics of his destroying nature, are strongly depicted. In one of the hands is a large snake, while the others contain fruits, flowers, and other blessings for mankind; the lotos and pomegranate being easily distinguished. The lotos, which is so often introduced into the Hindoo mythology, forms a principal object in the sculpture and paintings in their temples, is the ornament of their sacred lakes, and the most conspicuous beauty in their flowery sacrifices. This gem of Flora's crown is frequently seen in the Egyptian and Grecian sculpture. Some recent writers, and amongst the rest Bishop Heber, have questioned the opinion of this statue being a representation of the Hindoo deity, and for it have substituted the theory, that it is the threefold face of Siva. This conjecture was advanced by the learned prelate in support of his somewhat lame hypothesis, that these temples are of comparatively recent origin; because Siva alone, in his threefold aspect, is, and has been for centuries, the popular deity of the Hindoos. But we shall recur to this subject afterwards.

On each side of this colossal statue is a gigantic figure leaning on a dwarf-an object of frequent occurrence in the sculptures of these excavations. The giants seem to stand as a body-guard to the grand idol, and separate it

from a large recess filled with a variety of figures of both sexes in different attitudes. There is one conspicuous female figure, single-breasted, like the Amazons; the rest, whether they represent mortals or immortals, are commonly arrayed in the ornaments worn by the modern Hindoos. The spaces between the larger figures are occupied by small aërial beings, which hover about them in infinite variety. In a recess of this temple, there is one piece of sculpture, executed with remarkable beauty and spirit. It is a colossal statue, fourteen feet high, and represents the Siva Vindex of the Hindoo pantheon. It is much mutilated, the whole of the lower extremities having been broken away; and of the eight arms with which it was originally provided, several are now broken. Enough, however, of this gigantic personage remains to convey an idea of the sculpture, which is very fine. The countenance expresses terrible ferocity, blended with a certain degree of majesty, which serves to convey the idea, that, though the wrath there bodied forth be unrelenting, it is that of a deity, not the vulgar and brutal passion of a mortal. There are many other figures, some of equal size, and some less; and all, whether single or in groups, have a reference to the mythology of the Brahmins, whilst the caverns of Canara or Kennery are unequivocally Buddhist temples. This temple,' says Mr Moore, in his Hindoo Pantheon, may be called a complete pantheon; for among the hundreds, I may say thousands, of figures there sculptured, every principal deity is found. Many deified heroes in the more modern mythological romances, contained in some of the Puranas and Tantras, will have been exalted since the excavation of this wonderful cavern; but I strongly believe that all the gods of the Vedas (sacred writings of the Hindoos), or, if I may so term them, all the legitimate Hindoo deities, will be found in its different compartments, if not indeed too much defaced for recognition.'

On the right and left, passages lead off to smaller excavations, containing sculptures, baths, &c.; and in one of the apartments is a colossal representation of the

lingam. With regard to the impression made upon the mind of a spectator on visiting these caves, the words of Bishop Heber, a man of refined tastes and elegant accomplishments, may be quoted:-"Though my expectations were highly raised,' says that learned dignitary, 'the reality much exceeded them, and that both the dimensions, the proportions, and the sculpture, seemed to me to be of a more noble character, and a more elegant execution, than I had been led to suppose. Even the statues are executed with great spirit, and are, some of them, of no common beauty, considering their dilapidated condition, and the coarseness of their material.' Another writer observes, regarding these extraordinary works of human skill and perseverance:-'The Elephanta caves, especially, cause admiration, when we contemplate the immensity of the undertaking, the number of artificers employed, and the extraordinary genius of its first projector, in a country until lately accounted rude and barbarous by the now enlightened nations of Europe. It is a work which would be admired by the curious, had it been raised from a foundation like other structures; but when we consider that it is hewn inch by inch in the hard and solid rock, we cannot but be astonished at the conception and completion of the undertaking.'

Writers are not at all agreed upon the antiquity of these excavations, and, in the absence of anything like positive proof, a degree of uncertainty must attach to all conjectures regarding the period at which they were executed. Bishop Heber is opposed to the more generally received opinion of their high antiquity, and urges in support of his views, amongst other arguments, the following:-That the rock out of which the temple is carved, is by no means calculated to resist, for any great length of time, the influence of the elements; and that decomposition has rapidly increased within the memory of man; but this is evidently an erroneous view of the matter, for if the mouldering is so rapid as to be perceptible by persons now living, the whole structure would have been one heap of ruins long before the lapse of half

the number of ages which the learned prelate admits it most probably to have existed.

There can be little doubt but these caves were appropriated to religious purposes (the pure Hindoo religion and mythology it seems almost certain); and as they are the most magnificent to be found in the country, we are entitled to trace their origin to that period of Hindoo history when that people had arrived at their highest pitch of prosperity, and their religious ceremonies were conducted on the most splendid scale, and in the most magnificent edifices. We are by no means to suppose that, in the decline of national prosperity, and consequently of religious observances, such a Herculean labour as the execution of Elephanta would have been undertaken; nor is it likely, on the other hand, that it was elaborated from the solid rock, before the national prosperity had reached at least a very high degree of perfection, else we might look for still more remarkable instances of their industry, taste, and religious zeal, which, however, are not to be found. But all authentic records of the ancient history of this part of India have perished, and the poems and histories which at present exist, and generally relate the occurrences of remote antiquity, are a tissue of incredible fables. This, the only other means of determining the question, being denied us, plausible conjecture alone can be advanced; and it is, that these works were executed between three and four thousand years ago.

MR BIANCONI'S CARS.

FEW men have been so useful in their day as Mr Bianconi of Clonmel. This gentleman, whose successful enterprise affords an apt instance of what may be accomplished by well-directed perseverance, is a native of Milan, and from being one of the poorest, is now one of the wealthiest men