1836.] Facsimiles of Ancient Inscriptions. 559 



Small buildings, such as are open to a garden with light pillars, are the princi- 

 pal domestic scenes : few or no trees. In two pieces are parties in a boat — the 

 prow and stern both very high. Here is a hunt ; — here is a horseman and dogs. 

 I do not like the horses we see — rather poor. These are elephant-fighting ; — that 

 head is sublime. 



Now, R. remark this saddle ; — here is a led horse, and the saddle exactly such 

 as we see in England with a cloth below it — nothing larger — and the bridle too. 

 This is a war scene — here are many spears. 



This zodiac, as they call it, is very elaborate. Why they call it zodiac I 

 know not. There is in one part a bull, and in another scales. We must get a 

 ladder to see it clearly. It might have been called the shield of Achilles as 

 well as a zodiac. There have been eight grand compartments and sixteen 

 smaller ones — how full of little figures ! I think this is the best example iu the 

 whole series, and evidently done by the same painters who worked in what we 

 call ' par excellence' the painted caves. These medallions in the roof are very hand- 

 some. I think they resemble compartments in a Turkey carpet, or what we see iu 

 a kaleidescope — wreaths and coloured radiated patterns. Here are five women 

 with their feet all towards the centre of the circle : — their heads alone perfect. 

 Are they angels ? There are no winged and no two-headed figures anywhere. 



The zodiac is incomplete. I think about a third of it is wanting, and the 

 lower part of the circle could never have been complete, for it must have been 

 over this door of the cell. G. Perhaps they covered the top of the doorway with 

 something in order to complete the circle. R. You admire it so much : you are 

 willing to suppose it must have been complete, 



What a lovely female ! Yes, the last one we discover seems always the sweet- 

 est. Here is another heavenly face. This man is her lover: — a handsome 

 fellow. You have his profile looking to the left. How eager — how full of 

 ardent desire ! The woman has just turned her face towards him, and looks 

 with timid satisfaction and self-approving coquetry. It is excellent. But here 

 is another beauty : — she is entreating : her head is turned towards some one 

 above. Is she supplicating or in prayer ? Shame to the villains who have 

 destroyed these paintings ! 



These must have been convents, and these decorations to attract the multi- 

 tude at festivals and to bring pilgrims from afar. This cave was never half 

 finished. I can fancy that the site of a cave was granted to a society of monks 

 with lands for their support. These, according to their ability, made it large or 

 small, filled it with paintings when able to incur the expense. — The fewer 

 theories you form, the fewer blunders and dreams you will make. 



R. We must form theories — we cannot remain awake and not do so. 



G. Some nation of conquerors who landed at Elephanta, coming from Egypt, 

 first began there, and then got 2 or 300 miles to the eastward. There is no- 

 thing like these in Telingana or to the south. 



R. No — only some very small caves with sculpture, rude and old, — the cave 

 being as big as one of these tea cells. But the fewer theories you make, &c. 



Now, Ralph, look at this I Why, you are half dead — no, not half dead, but 

 knocked up. When you have 25 years added to your present age, and have 

 completed 30 years in India, will you labour so well or have so much zeal ? 'Tis 

 five to one against my being alive. — But do get up and come hither. This 

 man is going to ravish this woman ; — he has a sword, too, in his hand. Here 



