OR CUTTACK, 331 



^and managed the cumbersome masses of iron and stone, used for the work, 

 in an age when so little aid was to be derived from anyjiiechanical inven- 

 tions ; and it must be allowed that there is an air of elegance, combined 

 with massiveness, in the whole structure, which entitles it to no binall share 

 of admiration. There is much, however, about this remarkable building., 

 which it is difficult either to describe or comprehend. The interior is fill- 

 ed, to a height of several feet, with large blocks of stone, which seem to have 

 fallen from above, and what purpose they answered, in their former situa- 

 tion, is a matter of great doubt and discussion. Amongst the heap are to 

 be seen, two iron beams, measuring twenty-one feet in length by about eight 

 inches square, absolutely crushed beneath a superincumbent mass of stone, 

 many of the blocks composing which, measure fifteen and sixteen feet in 

 length, by about six feet of depth and two or three of thickness. It seems pro- 

 bable that they formed part of an inner or false roof, but neither is it easy 

 to assign any precise place for such a ceiling, nor can one divine the motive 

 or object of elevating such prodigious blocks of stone to a great height in 

 the building, when lighter materials would have been so much better adapt- 

 ed to the work. 



The exterior of the side walls, as of the roof, is loaded with n profusion of 

 the richest sculptured ornaments. A remarkably handsome cornice or bor- 

 der occupies the upper part, all round, for a depth of several feet. Below 

 this, the surface is divided by another fine cornice, into two tiers of compart- 

 ments, parted off into niches by clusters of pilasters, in each of which are 

 placed figures of men and animals, resting on pedestals with a sort of ca- 

 nopy overhead. The human figures are generally male and female, in the 

 most lewd and obscene attitudes, frequently in the very act of sexual inter- 

 course. Amongst the animals, the commonest representation is that of a 

 lion rampant, treading on an elephant or a prostrate human figure. Ge- 

 nerally speaking, the style and execution of the larger figures, are rude and 

 coarse, whilst the smaller ones display often much beauty and grace, but 



Pp2 



