A DISINTERESTED BRAHMIN. 
97 
is built of the same materials, in a plain unpretending 
style, but with the same massive strength. Though 
rudely constructed and almost entirely without orna- 
ment, it is nevertheless not deficient in general gran- 
deur of effect, which is somewhat increased by the 
natural solitariness and asperity of the spot. 
Near the tomb, we entered a temple, in which 
were several small brass images, such as are commonly 
sold for a few rupees in the bazaars. We were at- 
tended by one of the officiating Brahmins, who was 
exceedingly courteous and more than usually com- 
municative. The temple is but a rude structure, and 
the attendant functionaries appear to be miserably 
poor, living upon the small gratuities of devotees who 
casually resort to this humble sanctuary. They were 
very civil and showed us every part of the building 
without the slightest hesitation. They manifested 
none of that reluctance to answer any questions re- 
specting their worship, which is generally shown by 
the better-conditioned ministers of those sanctuaries 
that are more richly endowed. Everything here be- 
spoke extreme poverty, and if the spiritual attendants 
were devout in proportion, they must indeed have 
been most holy men. 
Before we quitted this temple, a circumstance oc- 
curred which strikingly displayed the selfish and 
equivocal casuistry of the mercenary Hindoo. I hap- 
pened to take a fancy to one of the little brazen gods 
which was placed upon a sort of altar in the most 
sacred part of the edifice. It was a very clumsy 
cast in brass, but one which I had never before seen, 
and was therefore anxious to possess. Knowing that 
K 
