232 
SCENES IN INDIA. 
On either side is an unseemly mound of earth which 
has been suffered to accumulate, somewhat diminish- 
ing to the eye the beautiful proportions of the building. 
The architectural features of this temple are so un- 
like anything else in the country round it, that an 
appearance of great antiquity is thus imparted to 
it, and the conjecture fairly justified that all the other 
edifices in the neighbourhood are of a much more 
modern date, although the pagoda at Muddenpoor, 
near Gyah, has the reputation of being extremely 
ancient. Colonel Todd, indeed, asserts that in India 
there are no fine specimens of sculpture, for which the 
neighbourhood of Bode Gyah is at present pre-emi- 
nently distinguished, before the tenth century ; but 
upon what data he grounds his assertion is somewhat 
problematical. His arguments are to me by no means 
conclusive, and before he can establish this new theory, 
he must advance something more tangible than the 
hypothesis of even a very enterprising traveller, an 
eloquent writer, an acute reasoner, and an amiable 
man. He is each and all ; I have read his volumes 
with admiration and respect, and feel deeply his debtor 
for the information they have afforded me. With re- 
gard, however, to his hypothesis, it is to my mind suffi- 
ciently negatived by the fact that fine sculpture is now 
seen on those temples to which the highest authorities 
ascribe an existence long anterior to the tenth century. 
The temple at Bode Gyah is entirely deserted; 
years have rolled away since the knee of the wor- 
shipper has bent before its altars. The priest is no 
longer there to receive and console the pilgrim; no 
devotees throng its aisles— no offerings are made at 
