WEST AND SOUTH COASTS OF CEYLON. 435 



which obftrucl all view and give the idea of a thick 

 planted grove or garden rather than of a village. Be- 

 ing defirous of feeing a Cingalefe temple here of fome 

 repute, I was conducted by a winding road of about 

 half a mile, to a fmall eminence enclofed at top by a 

 low ftone wail, furmounted by a kind of balullrade in 

 the midil of thick furroundinjr groves. At the gate, to 

 which we afcended by fome fteps, the priefts received 

 and conducted me to the door of the temple ; they were 

 bare-headed, and their hair cut clofe ; they had none 

 of the diftinguifhing marks worn by the Hindus, on the 

 forehead ; their garment confided of a cloth of a dufky 

 fnuff colour, which folded round the body and defcend- 

 ed to the feet; their dark complexions, and inanimate 

 features, exhibited no fymptom of fuperior intelligence, 

 of deep penetration, or of keen genius; nor did any 

 of that mild call of countenance, or chaftened refigned 

 features, which fometimes diftinguifh the reclufe, or de- 

 votee of every nation, appear here ; neither fevere, nor 

 fhy, their looks rather indicated a kind of apathy, or 

 indifference. The building had no decorations with- 

 out ; a clofe gallery ran round the body of it, to which 

 only one door opened, that rendered it fo clofe, for 

 want of frefti air, with the ftrong fumes of the oil of 

 feveral lamps burning, and the aromatic odour of yel- 

 low flowers, profufely fcattered on a raifed terrace be- 

 fore the idol, that it almoft overcame me on entering 

 the interior apartment. On our being introduced, a 

 curtain which enclofed the fhrine, was drawn back, and 

 the figure of Boodhoo, of a gigantic fize, reclining at 

 full length on his fide, was at once diiplayed. His 

 head lay on a pillow fupported by one hand, the other 

 extended on his body ; the habit was very limple, of a 

 fafFron colour, covering him from the neck to the heels, 

 and the only decoration was a kind of plain belt acrofs 

 the body. This ftatue was about eighteen feet long, 

 and well proportioned, but whether made of wood or 

 of compofition, I could not learn. The countenance 

 was mild and full, and the top of the head painted to re- 



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