332 Mr Hardie's OiitUne of the 



Apollo, are examples of the salmon-coloured variety *. The 

 roofs of many of these buildings are very wide, but nevertheless 

 covered in by a series of slabs, spanning from wall to wall. 



The dark red colour and brick-like aspect of the first variety, 

 as contrasted with the pure white of the Makrana marble, of 

 which the cupola pavilions and trellices of the buildings are 

 generally formed, give to many of the most stupendous monu- 

 ments of Mogul architecture, a fantastic and party-coloured ap- 

 pearance ; and it is impossible not to regret that the lighter 

 coloured varieties had not come into general use at an earlier 

 period. To the employment of the red sandstone there is a still 

 stronger objection. This rock seems but little capable of resist- 

 ing the decomposing effects of the atmosphere ; hence it is that 

 so few of the edifices, for which Agra was once so famous, now 

 remain entire, and of the few which still survive, the majority 

 are rapidly falling to decay. The splendid mausoleum of Akber 

 at Secundra is likely soon to meet the fate of its fellows ; while 

 at every step we take we perceive the most stupendous ruins of 

 palaces, and courts, and gateways, which less than two centuries 

 ago were the favourite haunts of the monarchs of Hindostan. 

 In every climate this is a most serious objection, but in a climate 

 like India it is quite insurmountable. In, comparatively speak- 

 ing, modern days, an Indian monarch, surrounded by a court 

 more gorgeous than Europe ever witnessed, pronounced this 

 capital the " first city in the world •)-,'' destined to be eternal ! 

 We may smile at the vanity of Jehanghir ; but let us not neglect 

 the lesson which the fate of Akberabad J has so emphatically 

 taught us. A day must come, distant though that day may be, 

 when we, like those who have preceded us, must resign to others 

 the mighty empire of the East ; and I know not if at this hour 

 there exists in India a single edifice of British construction which 

 will survive bur fate, even for a few years. We cannot but re- 

 gret that this should be the case : independent of every other 

 consideration, we feel a sort of melancholy pleasure in the idea 

 that we shall leave behind us some monument of our greatness, 



• For a description of these magnificent edifices see Bishop Heber's Travels, 

 •f See the Life Jehanghir, written by himself. 

 X The Mussulman name of Modern Agra. 



