lotos, which its left hand holds up to view. If ever, on the other hand, the dreadful attributes of the destroying god Mahadeo, (Shiva or Seeva) were accurately pourtrayed, are they not evident in the monstrous, distorted, and terrific features of the remaining aspect ? The eye-brows of that face are contracted into forms; the skin of the nose is drawn upwards and the alce nasi nostri distended, expressing contempt and indignation.

This face too is darkened by whiskers which the others have not, and the tongue is violently thrust out between the teeth. The right hand of this dreadful figure grasps a large hooded snake, (the cobra di capello, the bite of which is mortal) which it holds aloft, and surveys with a stern look. The snake is about a foot in thickness; and the middle finger of the hand which grasps it, three feet and a half in length. Another hand, which is now broken off, appears to have had a snake of the same hooded and enormous kind."

Mr. Maurice, who it appears had not himself visited Elephanta, suggests, "If, upon future and more accurate examination, this should be discovorod to be a quadruple-faced divinity, in that case to whom can it possibly point but to Brahma himself, the GREAT ONE, who in the Asiatic Register is represented with four majestic aspects; as the God who not only knows, but observes, all things." It is my intention to introduce, in a subsequent part of my narrative, a more detailed account of the Hindoo theology, when this suggestion of Mr. Maurice will be more clearly understood. This `immense figure must have been the principal object of adoration in this temple, though not the only one; as in the western side of the apartment there is a dark recess twenty feet square, totally destitute of any external ornament, excepting the altar in the centre, and those gigantic figures which guard the four several doors that lead to it. These figures are unclothed;

and from Mr. Maurice's account of this recess, the only conclusion is, that it was formerly devoted to that impure worship so prevalent in India, and the origin and circumstances of which he has so well described.

A particular description of the various other figures and ornaments in this curious pantheon, would extend far beyond my plan; and the uncertainty attending their original import leaves too much room for conjecture fully to satisfy curiosity, which on that account I am unwilling to excite. But little is known with exactness of the history and purposes of this astonishing piece of workmanship: an admirer of the arts, I can well conceive, would experience high gratification in tracing the proportion of the several figures, and in marking the delicacy with which they have been finished. But he who would endeavour to connect them with facts, and to ascertain the period of their formation, must retire from the attempt with disappointment and regret. Mr. Maurice shall be quoted to repress a design so unpromising. “One would have supposed," he remarks, “that the construction of such astonishing works, which have been called the eighth wonder of the world, would have fixed in any country an æra never to be forgotten; since not only a long period of years must have been consumed, but an infinite number of hands must have been employed, in scooping out from the living rock such extensive caverns, and forming, by the slow operation of the chisel, so many and such massive columns. It is, however, very remarkable, that no scrutiny, however rigid, no enquiry, however diligent, either among the neighbouring Brahmins, or those living upon the Continent, celebrated as they are for learning and penetration, could ever succeed in discovering the immediate sovereign who fabricated them, nor the exact epoch of that fabrication."

Our friends had nearly involved themselves in a

cellent Companion to the Altar. The vein of piety. breathing through the little manual, the decorum and solemnity with which the whole service was conducted, and my own peculiar circumstances, all tended to impress my heart in the most salutary manner. Though far from scenes and society which had formerly interested and profited me, I found it good for me to draw near to God.

The next morning our official letter to the Committee, having been read and approved, was forwarded to the Governor, to be franked for the overland despatch. His Excellency sent us word, that if we wished to write to our families in England, he would also frank one for each of us, and an extra one for each of the married Missionaries. Mr. Ault and myself gladly availed ourselves of the opportunity of writing two letters, and the rest of our party each prepared his single letter. We were restricted to a very small sheet of paper, about the size of a duodecimo page; and our letters, when folded up, did not exceed four inches in length, and about two and a half in breadth. We felt it almost impossible to express within so small a compass all the important tidings which we wished to communicate. Our first letters, therefore, contained but a hasty and very limited account of our situation, and of the trials and mercies with which we had been visited. Some of our friends in England were dissatisfied with the brevity of our first epistles; but the cause is thus explained.

About this time we heard that it would be possible to obtain a passage to Ceylon in the Earl Spencer, a vessel going to China, but which would lie-to off Point de Galle, and land passengers. We immediately engaged with Captain Mitchell, through the agency of Mr. Money; but Mr. M. kindly remarked,

H

that as, from the advanced state of the season, it might be attended with considerable difficulty to get a landing when the vessel arrived off Ceylon, he thought it would be improper for my wife, in her situation, to proceed with the rest of the party. I consulted Captain Birch, who was of the same opinion; and who recommended me to obtain the advice of a medical man, and then apply to the Governor in Council, for permission to remain at Bombay until after the monsoon months. Having stated these things to my companions, with their consent I made application, and obtained the necessary per

mission.

The Mission family, with the exception of Mrs. H. and myself, sailed out of Bombay harbour on the 20th of June, and landed at Point de Galle after a voyage of nine days.

CHAP. VIII.

Voyage of Messrs. Ault, &c. to Ceylon-Kind reception from the Government authorities-The Government house at Galle prepared for their reception-Condescension of Lord and Lady MolesworthHis Lordship's estimate of their character-The Rev. G, BissetLiberal proposal of His Excellency, the Governor, to endow schools -First Ceylon Conference-Deliberations-Wesleyan plan of stationing the preachers-Their resignation of themselves to God, and satisfaction with their respective stations-Celebration of the Lord's Supper previous to their separation-Arrival of Messrs. Lynch and Squance at Columbo-Hospitable reception by the Honourable and Reverend Archdeacon Twisleton, &c.-Introduced to His Excellency, the Governor-Invited to dine-Important assistance rendered by the Right Honourable Sir A. Johnstone, Chief Justice of CeylonMr. Armour; his history and character-Preach in the Baptist Mission chapel-A Native convert-Proceed to Jaffnapatam— J. N. Mooyart, Esq.--Christian David, a pupil of Swartz-School opened-Preach in the Dutch church-Mr. Erskine proceeds to Matura-Encouraging reception-The Rev. T. G. Erhardt-Matura school opened-Service in the Dutch church-Importance of Matura, as a Missionary station-Mr. Ault sails from Galle to Batticaloe-Dangerous voyage-Reception-Acts as Chaplain-His labours among the Europeans and Natives-Mr. Clough commences his Mission at Galle-Lord Molesworth's important patronage and advice-Mr. C.'s labours among the Europeans, and efforts to benefit the Natives-Visited by Don Abraham Dias Abeysinha Ameresekera, who generously offers a residence and school-house-The Galle school opened-Native enquirers-Mr. Clough's unwearied and successful application to the study of the Singhalese language.

THE passage of our brethren who had embarked in the Earl Spencer, though speedy, was hazardous; as the vessel was carried before the wind, which blew in one continued gale, until they arrived within sight of the Island of Ceylon. The Captain was frequently apprehensive he should not be able to put them on shore; in which case they would have been compelled to proceed with the vessel to Pulo Penang, or even to