4^0 SOME ACCOUNT OF THE CAv~£ 



me by a native of the island, whicn would make a 

 considerable figure, in the hands of a poet. 



Gigantic as the figures are, the mind is not disa- 

 greeably moved on viewing them, a certain indication 

 of the harmony of the proportions. Having measured 

 three or four, and examined the proportions by the 

 scale we allow the most correct, I found many stood 

 even this test, while the disagreements were not equal 

 to what are met with every day in people whom we 

 think by no means ill proportioned. 



The island wherein these curious remains of anti- 

 quity are situated, is about five miles and a half from 

 Bombay y in an easterly direction; its circumference 

 cannot be more than five miles : a neat village near the 

 landing-place contains all its inhabitants, whom, in- 

 clusive of women and children, number about one 

 hundred. Their ancestors, they tell you, having been 

 improperly treated by the Portuguese, fled from the 

 opposite island t>{ Sdset hither, cultivating rice, and 

 rearing goats for their support. In the same humble 

 road do they continue. The islanders have no boat; 

 they cut wood from the adjoining hills, which the 

 purchasers remove in boats of their own ; they are 

 under our protection, and pay about fifty-six pounds 

 annually to the government ; the surplus revenue fur- 

 nishes their simple clothing. By persevering in this 

 humble path, these harmless people continue to re- 

 joice in tranquillity under their banyan-tree. The 

 cave, they tell you, was formed by the Gods : and 

 ihis is all they pretend to know of the matter. 



Vario us have been, and are to this day, the con- 

 jectures 



