324 A DESCRIPTION OF 



good proportion. I do not mean to infer, that the 

 architect has followed any established rule, for it 

 does not appear, that the ancients, in any country, 

 were tied down to rule ; for although we see extreme- 

 ly different instances of the diminution in their 

 works, in general they all look well. 



The exterior part of the Minar is fluted into 

 twenty-seven semicircular and angular divisions, 

 upon which is written a good deal of a very ancient 

 Arabic character ; it is supposed to contain passages 

 from the Koran ; there are four balconies in the 

 height of the building, the first is at the height of 

 ninety feet, the second at 140, the third at 180, and 

 the fourth at 203 feet ; to the height of 180 feet, the 

 pillar is built of an exceeding fine red Granite, and 

 the fluting there ends. The balconies are supported 

 upon large stone brackets, and have had small 

 battlements erected upon them, as a preventive from 

 people who may choose to go into them from falling, 

 and serve likewise, as an ornamental purpose to the 

 building ; from the height of 203 feet, excepting a 

 few inconsiderable ornaments, it rises' with an even 

 surface, and circular form, built of very fine white 

 marble ; upon which the date when the Minar was 

 completed is' said to be written. It was a matter of 

 much disappointment, that I could not approach suf- 

 ficiently near to the date to copy it ; for I found it 

 was situated at such a height, as to put it totally out 

 of my power; and what adds to the difficulty is, that 

 there is not a bamboo, or wood of any kind produced 

 in that part of the country, calculated to raise a scaf* 

 folding with. 



Ax 



