Ill 



The above sum of ninety-eight lacks, or nine millions eight 

 hundred and fifteen thousand rupees, is equal to one million two 

 hundred and twenty-five thousand pounds sterling. Although the 

 price of labour then was, and still continues to be very reasonable 

 in India, yet the expense of the marble and precious stones was 

 immense, and in such profusion as to make the high colouring of 

 oriental poetry no longer ideal. 



" There stately mansions new and old 



" Flame with Barbaric gems and gold ; 



" There shine, with pride, the regal stores, 



" Of ivory roofs, and cedrine floors ; 



" There diadems of price unknown 



" Blaze with each all-attracting stone : 



" Firm diamonds, like fix'd honour true, 



" Some pink, and some of yellow hue ; 



" Some black, yet not the less esteem'd, 



" The rest like tranquil Jumna gleam'dj 



" When in her bed the Gopialave 



'* Betray 'd by the pellucid wave. 



" Like raging fire the ruby glow'd, 

 •' Or soft, but radiant water show'd j 

 " Pure amethysts, in richest ore 

 " Oft found, a purple vesture wore j 

 " Sapphires, like yon ethereal plain ; 

 " Emeralds, like peipal fresh with rain ; 

 " Gay topazes, translucent gold ; 

 " Pale chrysolites of softer mould ; 

 " Fam'd beryls, like the surge marine, 

 " Light azure mix'd with modest green ; 

 " Refracted every varying dye, 

 " Bright as yon bow that girds the sky, 

 " Here opals, which all hues unite, 

 '* Display their many-tinctur'd light ; 



