554 Descriptive details of the [July, 



jections of the cornice of the Order are of stone, having the guttse and 

 lilies in the angles cut out of the solid. Nothing could be more satis- 

 factory than the execution of the whole detail of what this involves. 

 The Doric Order is notoriously of difficult management, when applied 

 to edifices of complicated design, from the necessity of observing the 

 rules prescribed for the introduction of the triglyphs in the frieze of the 

 entablature. In the present instance, with many projections and re- 

 cesses, tending to create difficulties, there was not discoverable the 

 slightest deviation from what these rules demand ; the cornices and 

 mouldings were noticed as being cleanly and sharply cut and defined, 

 and all lines and surfaces, whether of stone or plaster, exhibited the 

 most successful result of much labour and minute attention. 



5. On the south front is a portico of eight columns, ninety-seven 

 feet nine inches in length, surmounted by a pediment twelve feet high, 

 and having a strong trussed roof of timber secured transversely by 

 iron tie-rods. To the north, is the entrance portico of six columns, 

 measuring seventy feet nine inches in length, with a corresponding 

 trussed roof to the pediment, which rises ten feet ; in the tympanum of 

 either pediment are the arms of the Nuwaib Nazim, perfectly exe- 

 cuted in relievo, and forming a very appropriate and effective finish 

 to the whole. 



6. Leading to the northern portico, is a noble flight of stone steps, 

 commencing in its breadth above from the centre of the end columns, 

 and having a platform stretching out in the same parallel to a width 

 of twenty-four feet nine inches, from which, descending, it curves out- 

 wards on either side till it ends at its base, in a line extending to the 

 length of 129 feet. There are two intermediate platforms, one of ten, 

 and one of five feet in width ; in a line with which last, at the extre- 

 mities, are well proportioned pedestals with stone slabs, bearing inscrip- 

 tions (the letters cleanly cut in relief) in English and Persian, exhi- 

 biting particulars connected with the erection of the edifice, (see en- 

 closure No. 1,) and in front of these pedestals, on blocks carried out 

 from their bases, corresponding in height and breadth with the last 

 flight of steps, and ten feet six inches in length, are placed two 

 sphinxes, admirably executed, both as regards the design and work- 

 manship. They are of solid teak, but painted and sanded so as exact- 

 ly to resemble stone, and form highly ornamental appendages to the 

 entrance in the position they occupy. Iron railing, of a graceful pat- 

 tern, corresponding with that of the colonnades (rising from which are 

 five lamp-posts on either side, with three on either pedestal below) 

 surmounts the flight at either extremity. Underneath, is a capacious 

 carriage way ; and there are three vaulted ranges, two of them open, 



