40 
SCENES IN INDIA. 
greater part of his life to the collection of authentic 
materials for a general history of his country. 
Within this ancient edifice Colonel Mackenzie was 
in the habit of assembling all the most learned Hin- 
doos of the neighbourhood^ and of challenging them 
to discussions in mathematics; as well as in the ab- 
stract and physical sciences. He caused large dia- 
grams to be very accurately drawn upon the lofty 
pillars of the building ; those on one side of the area 
illustrating the science of astronomy according to the 
Copernican system; and those on the other according 
to that of Ptolemy ; showing; by this simple process; 
the superiority of the Prussian mathematician over the 
Egyptian. The system of the latter was that upon 
which their own appears to have been founded; and 
the fallacy of it was made manifest by Colonel Macken- 
zie to many eminently learned Brahmins; who frankly 
admitted it; and paid a just tribute of their respect 
to the talents of that most able and highly meritorious 
officer. Since his death; which was a severe loss to 
his country and to Oriental literature; the project of 
converting the building into a college has been aban- 
doned ; though there appears some probability of its 
being revived; as the present proprietor; Sir Alexander 
Johnston; has offered to cede his right of proprietor- 
ship to any body of learned natives who will take up 
and pursue the original idea of his father. 
I cannot better show the cause of Colonel Mac- 
kenzie's visit to Madura than by an extract from 
Sir Alexander Johnston's evidence before the House 
of Commons; upon the subject of the Mackenzie 
papers : — “ My mother; who was daughter of Mr. 
