^74 ACCOUNT OF 



were rather surprised and alarmed at the approach'of 

 Europeans and Scpahis, until he assured them that 

 our object was merely to view tlie lately discovered 

 ruins. We were then conducted to those remains of 

 antiquity. We found a circular trench, about 10 

 feet wide, dug about 12 feet deep, into a mass of 

 masonry, composed of bricks of 16 inches square, 

 and 4 inches thick. It is probable, that this body 

 of masonry did not extend to a greater depth. The 

 central area was still untouched; and a mass of rub- 

 bish was thrown outside of the ditch, which prevented 

 any observation of its original state ; but I conjecture 

 that the whole had, previous to its opening, formed 

 a solid circular mound. In this ditch, a white slab 

 lay broken, which still exhibited some figures in re- 

 lievo, of which Mil. Sydenham took a sketch. 

 Against the outside of the trench, were placed three 

 or four slabs, of the same colour, standing, but in- 

 clining inwards ; on the inside, where these were un- 

 covered, they had no figures, except where the top 

 of one rose above the earth. Without, some sculp- 

 tures appeared, which lead me to conclude that these 

 sculptures were exposed on that side to view. From 

 the inquiries of my Brahmcns, I could obtain no other 

 account, than that this place was called Dipdl-dinna^ 

 or the hill of lamps. The Raja, about a year ago, 

 had given orders to remove a large stone, to be 

 carried to the new pagoda, which he was building, 

 when they discovered the brick work, which induced 

 them to dig up the rest for the buildings. The white 

 stones were then brought to light, and unfortunately 

 broken ; ut least we could perceive few of them ; and 

 though it was said that some were carried into the 

 temple*, the Bi^dhnien, who was admitted, had per- 

 ceived only some broken pieces. The sculptured 

 stones observed, were as follows: 



* Some of these liave been discovered lately (1^04) by Mr. 

 William Brown, contaiNing sculptures, inscriptions, &c. of wbick 

 it \» probable, that copies may be procured. C. M. 



