conspicuous a position, at the entrance of the caves, one would suppose were intended to represent the guardian deities of this hallowed recess.

Besides those, there are also a number of smaller images, and groups of figures, embossed on the walls of that apartment, and in several chambers lying contiguous to it,-which but little exceed the natural size of man, and are, in general, well executed. Many of the figures are mutilated, and, in some, the work of the sculptor is totally effaced by the destructive hand of time.

Further on is a plain but spacious apartment, formed also out of the solid rock, in the shape of an oblong, and rising to a considerable height, with an arched roof. The walls of this inner apartment, or temple, as it appears to have been originally, are rough and unadorned; but, at the extremity, is a curious kind of altar, eight or ten feet high, which, in all probability, was intended to answer some holy purpose, in the ceremonies of that religion (whatever it might be) which, no doubt, existed here at the period of its fabrication, although the knowledge of it is now hid in obscurity. The exterior of this astonishing excavation is a little damaged, and some part of the stone work also, that was originally placed for its defence and support, has been broken down, or has given way on that side, which is most exposed to the action of the elements.

From the place here described, a broken road

winds towards the left, higher up the mountain, and leads to a variety of smaller caves, which are situated at different heights; many of them include extensive suites of rooms, which are connected by narrow passages; and others are entirely detached from the rest. But these excavations are so numerous, and are so widely separated from each other, that it was not in my power to view them all; I was, therefore, obliged to content myself with visiting those amongst them, which were pointed out to me, as being the most remarkable, in the vicinity of the spot from which I began my tour of observation. A great similarity of appearance is observable in all the different caves, which consist, for the most part, of long ranges of single apartments on either side, running parallel to each other, with an open portico in front. They are, however, of different dimensions, and many of them extend so far into the rock, as to be obscured in total darkness throughout the year.

In some of the most celebrated pagodas of the Hindoos, that I have had an opportunity of seeing, their images are rude and misshapen, and not at all similar to these, in the caves of Canara, which are executed in a more masterly manner, and, to an ardent imagination, would seem to approach nearer to the simplicity of the Attic style. I do not, however, intend a comparison. The nations of this quarter of the globe, seem, by the indolence of their habits, and the languor of their mental

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exertions, to be precluded the hope even of approaching the perfection of the Greek artists. Various aqueducts, leading to the different caves, are cut in the rock, and communicate with reservoirs, at the top of the mountain, which are abundantly supplied with water during the periodical rains.

On different parts of the rock, a number of ancient characters had been inscribed, which are still discernible, but, whether it be now possible to decypher them, must be left to the judgment and knowledge of those who are skilled in the Sanscrit, and other ancient languages of the country. On the whole, I was not surprised to hear the natives who accompanied me, attributing the cause of this assemblage of artificial wonders, to a supernatural agency; but, if a reasonable conjecture may be hazarded on the subject, they are the performance of several ages, and not the work of any particular individual. The caves of Canara might originally have been the residence of a religious society, who, after forming their first settlement, increased in number, and extended their cells in proportion, until successive revolutions drove them from their haunts, and desolated those mansions of their Gods.

The similarity which exists between the site of these caves, and that of the celebrated temple of Delphi, may be adduced in support of an idea, that the form of worship observed in the one, was

something similar to the mysterious rites which, we are led to believe, were practised in the other, since the situation of the former could not have been better adapted to inspire the minds of the devotees with reverential awe, than these gloomy shades, which are now sacred only to silence and to solitude.

If, as it is generally admitted, human nature is alike at all times, and in all countries, it is allowable to suppose, that the same means had been employed in the east, and in the west, to fetter the human mind, by alarming the imagination, and filling it with terrific images and superstitious notions. Whence, it is possible, that a similar kind of worship might, originally, have been celebrated at Delphi, and at Canara; although no historic proof can be brought forward in support of this inference. For want of time, my own observations were rather more confined than I could have wished, although I could hope to add but little to the description that is here given, of objects, which had attracted the notice of antiquarians, philosophers, and architects, but, which have hitherto, and perhaps ever will elude, the researches of accurate investigation. For, what curiosity could here expect to withdraw the veil of fiction, or what labour hope to illumine these subterranean abodes, by that faint glimmering, which strives to penetrate the thick shades of fable and romance?

X. X. X.

A CURIOUS INSTANCE OF NATURAL ANTIPATHY.

MR.EDITOR,-You have favoured your readers with a few essays on various subjects-Silent Eloquence, Chronograms, and one or two others;-I should like much to see some ideas thrown together on the subject of Natural Antipathies,—and, by way of text, ground-work, or, as a professional man (an engineer for instance) would say, as a foundation to build upon, I will relate you a circumstance in that way, which I was actually a witness to. I was acquainted with a gentleman, who could not bear the smell of a shoulder of mutton, (he had no dislike to any other part) and happened to spend a day in his company, at a friend's garden-house, near Calcutta.

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To pass away the forenoon, cards, backgammon, and other amusements, were resorted to. I was engaged at the same card-table with Mr. Mand we did not break up till some little time after dinner was announced on table. I mention this as a proof that he could not have had an opportunity of knowing what was for dinner; (as may naturally be supposed by some) add to which, he was one of those of the party least acquainted in the house.