Dec. 1861.] 



The Origin of Brahmanism. 



293 



lect of the ancient deities, whose images are still preserved. So 

 strongly, indeed, were they impressed with this identity, that they 

 proceeded to perform their devotions with all the ceremonies prac- 

 tised in their own land. There is a resemblance, too, in the minor 

 instruments of their superstition — the lotus, the lingam, and the 

 serpent, — which can hardly be regarded as accidental ; but it is, no 

 doubt, in the immense extent, the gigantic plan, the vast concep- 

 tion which appear in all their sacred buildings, that we most 

 readily discover the influence of the same lofty genius, and the 

 endeavour to accomplish the same mighty object. The excavater 

 temple of Guerfeh Hassan, for instance, reminds every travelled 

 of the Cave of Elephanta. The resemblance, indeed, is singularly 

 striking,- as are, in fact, all the leading principles of Egyptian 

 architecture to that of the Hindoos. In both countries large mass- 

 es of rock have been excavated into hollow chambers, the sides 

 of which are decorated with columns and statues of men and ani- 

 mals carved out of the same stone ; and in each are found solid 

 blocks weighing many hundred tons, separated from the adjoining 

 mountain and lifted up into the air. By whom and by what means 

 these wonderful efforts have been accomplished is a mystery sunk 

 too deep in the abyss of time ever to be revealed. To Greece nei- 

 ther country is indebted for any part of its architecture, while she 

 has evidently taken many hints from them. Except at Alexandria 

 and Antinoe, no edifice strictly Grecian appears in Egypt. But 

 we need only compare the monolithic temples of Nubia with those 

 of Mahabali-poor, the excavations of Guerfeh Hassan with those 

 of Elephanta, and the grottos of Hadjur Silsili, as described by 

 Pococke, with the caverns of Ellore, to be convinced that these 

 sacred monuments of ancient days derived their origin from the 

 same source." 



POSTSCRIPT. 



In my haste to prepare this paper for publication I omitted the 

 following : — 



Comparison of Egyptian and Hindoo Name?. 

 Ramessameno. Ramasamee. 

 Ramases. Rama. 

 Amenuph. Munepah. 



