The Morai has since been found in the Sandwich Islands, and in almost all the various groups which belong to Australasia; but in Otaheite we meet with it in its most extensive and celebrated form. In this island it consists of a pile of stone raised pyramidically upon an oblong base or square two hundred and sixty-seven feet long, and eighty-seven wide. On each side is a flight of steps; those at the sides being broader than those at the ends; so that it termi. nated not in a square of the same figure with the base, but in a ridge like the roof of a house. There were eleven of these steps to one of the morais, each of which was four feet high, so that the height of the pile was forty-four feet; each step was formed of one course of white coral stone, which was neatly squared and polished; the rest of the mass (for there was no hollow within) con

ever, were over-ruled in this proceeding by a superior authority, which thought it sufficient to acquiesce generally in what the Benga! ecvernment, in their abovementioned letter of the 16th May, 1806, proposed sho Id be done.

By the same superior authority another dispatch was substituted to that effect, in which it was stated, that as the tax on pilgrims resorting to Allahabad and Juggernaut, was established during the Nawaub's and the Mahratta government, three did not appear to be any objecton to its continuance under the British government.

This substituted dispatch went, as the law directs, in the name of the Court of Directors, although it was in opposition to their sentiments. But, before it arrived in Bengal, the government there had passed, by their own authority, the regulation of April, 1809.

That part of the province of Orissa, which contains the Temple of Juggernaut, first became subject to the British Empire under the administration of Marquis Wellesley, who permitted the pilgrims at first to visit Juggernaut without paying tribute. It was proposed to his lordship, soon after, to pass the regu lation first above-mentioned for the management of the temple, and levying the tax; but he did not approve of it, and actually left the government without giving his sanction to the opprobrious law When the measure was discussed by the succeeding government, it was resisted by George Udney, Esq. one of the members of the Supreme Council, who recorded his solemn dissent on the proceedings of government, for transmission to England. The other members considered Juggernaut to be a legitimate source of revenue, on the principle, I believe, that money from other temples in Hindostan had long been brought into the treasury. It is just that I should state that these gentlemen are men of the most honourabic principles and of unimpeached integrity. Nor would any one of them, I believe, (for I have the honour to know them) do any thing which he thought injurious to the honour or religion of his country. But the truth is this, that those persons who go to India in early youth, and witnes the Hindoo customs all their life, seeing little at the same time of the Christian religion to counteract the effect, are disposed to view them with complacency, and are sometimes in danger of at length considering them even as proper or necessary."

sisted of round pebble, which from the regularity of their figure, seem to have been wrought. The foundation was of rock stones, which were also squared. In the middle of the top stood an image of a bird carved in wood, and near it lay the broken one of a fish carved in stone. The whole of this pyramid made part of one side of a spacious area or square three hundred and sixty feet by three hundred and fifty-four, which was walled in with stone, and paved with flat stones in its whole extent. About one hundred yards to the west of this building was another paved area or court, in which were several small stages raised on wooden pillars about seven feet high, which are called by the Indians ewattus, and seem to be a kind of altars, as upon these are placed provisions of all kinds, as offerings to their gods. On some of them were seen whole hogs, and on others the skulls of above fifty, besides the skulls of many dogs. The principal object of ambition among the natives is to have a magnificent morai. The male deities (for they have them of both sexes) are worshipped by the men, and the female by the wo men; and each have morais, to which the other sex is not admitted, though they have also morais common to both.

[Cook's Voyages. Hawkesworth.

SECTION VIII.

Architectural Remains, at Mylasa.

MYLASA, or Mylassa, was the capital of Hecatomnus, king of Caria, and father of Mausolus. It has been described as situated by a very fertile plain, with a mountain rising above it, in which was a quarry of very fine white marble. This being near, was exceedingly convenient in building, and had contributed greatly to the beauty of the city, which, it is said, if any, was handsomely adorned with public edifices, porticoes, and temples. The latter was so numerous, that a certain musician entering the market. place, as if to make proclamation, began, instead of (Axeɛle Aaos) Hear ye People, with (Axɛɛlɛ Naoi) Hear ye Temples. The founders of the city were censured as inconsiderate in placing it beneath a steep precipice, by which it was commanded. Under the Romans it was a free city. Its distance from the sea, where nearest, or from Physcus opposite the island of Rhodes, was eighty stadia, or ten miles. It is still a large place, commonly called Melasso. The houses are numerous, but chiefly of plaster, and

mean, with trees interspersed. The air is accounted bad; and scorpions abound as antiently; entering often at the doors and windows, and lurking in the rooms. The plain is surrounded by lofty mountains, and cultivated; but has long been parched and bare, except some spots green with the tobacco plant, which in flower is pleasing to the eye.

Our first enquiry was for the temple, erected about twelve years before the Christian æra, by the people of Mylasa, to Augustus Cæsar, and the Goddess of Rome; which was standing not many years ago. We were shown the basement, which remaius; and were informed, the ruin had been demolished, and a new Mosque, which we saw on the mountain-side, above the town, raised with the marble. The house of a Turk occupying the site, we em. ployed the Hungarian to treat with him for admission; but he affirmed we could see nothing; and added, that there was his harem, or the apartment of his women, which was an obstacle not to be surmounted. It had six columns in front, and the whole number had been twenty-two.

On the hill, and not far from the basement of the temple, is a column, of the Corinthian order, standing, with a flat-roofed cottage, upon a piece of solid wall. It has supported a statue; and on the shaft is an inscription *. "The people have erected it to Menander, son of Ouliades, son of Euthydemus, a benefactor to his country, and descended from benefactors." The Turk, who lived in the cottage, readily permitted a ladder to be placed on the ter race for measuring the capital, which was done as expeditiously as possible, but not before we were informed, that several of the inhabitants murmured, because their houses were overlooked. Besides this, two fluted columns, of the Ionic order, remained not many years since.

Euthydemus the ancestor of Menander, was contemporary with Augustus Cæsar. He was of an illustrious family, and possessed an ample patrimony. He was eloquent, and not only great in his own country, but respected as the first person of Asia Minor. His power was so advantageous to the city, that, ifit savoured of tyranny, the odium was overcome by its utility. Hybreas coneluded an oration, with telling him he was a necessary evil. This demagogue, who succeeded Euthydemus, had inherited only a mule * Inscript. Ant, p. 27.