were not sepulchres, as has been generally supposed, but stupendous temples,* erected to OSIRIS, the Egyptian appellation of the Sun, the Egyptians imitating in their fabrication of them the model of the solar ray, and the usual form under which the Deity was in the most antient times worshipped. They were, indeed, denominated pyramids απο το πυρος, from the figure of a flame of fire; and a superstition congenial with their name was once undoubtedly practised in their gloomy retreats. When the immediate object of their veneration was lost to their view, the Brahmin devotees dcscended with the shades of evening into their stony recesses, and there renewed (before objects emblematical of his apparent figure, power, and properties) their fervent adoration. THE ORB OF RADIATED GOLD, THE BRIGHT SPIRAL FLAME, ascending from the ever-glowing altar, impressed their inmost souls with an awful sense of the present Deity. The planetary train was represented by images equally emblematical of their supposed form and influence, and the signs of the zodiac blazed in imitative gold round the embossed and vaulted roof. Imagination cannot avoid kindling at

See an account of a visit to Canarah, by some members of the council of Bombay, inserted in M. Anquetil's account.

the

the scene, and it is difficult to refrain from rushing into the enthusiasm of poetry, while we take a review of the probable splendour and magnificence of this antient species of devotion. All the caverns might truly be called PYRÆIA, or sanctuaries that cherished the eternal flame. The whole circumference of the rock was illumined and the mountain burned with fire! Throughout all the deep recesses of its caverns for ever reverberated the echoes of the hallowed CONQUE OF SACRIFICE, Around all the shores of the island THE SACRED BELL of religion incessantly rang. The secret gloom of those majestic forests that surrounded the rock perpetually resounded with the MYSTIC SONG of prayer and thanksgiving. One order of priests, arrayed in vestments of WOVEN BARK,* and having on their heads those pyramidal caps, which equally distinguished the Indian and the Egyptian priests, and which, M. Savary informs us, are at this day worn by the latter, attended to watch the never-dying flame, and invigorated it by the frequent injection of precious gums and aromatic woods. Another order of priests was employed in preparing the various sacrifices. Some were occupied in instructing the young

* See the SACONTALA throughout,

er Brahmins in the profound arcana of those more abstruse sciences, of which the numerous emblems on every side so conspicuously attracted the attention, while others again were initiating them into the mysterious rites of that religion, of which the principal deities were sculptured on the walls of their caverns. No doubt many of these sculptures, which cannot now be explained, shadow out the sacred history of the Indian religion as well as the heroic feats of the antient rajahs. They may exhibit the contentions of the benevolent and malignant Dewtahs. They may display the triumphs of persevering piety over vice armed with giant-terrors, and of justice over oppression, though throned in the plenitude of its power, and arrayed in all the gorgeous ensigns of usurped sovereignty. This appears to me the most certain clue to the explanation of the greatest part of the carved imagery; and exactly in this manner were the innumerable mythologic figures that crowd the walls of ELORA, near Dowletabad, explained to M. Anquetil by the two Brahmins who attended him thither for the purpose of throwing light upon this obscure subject. Mr Dalrymple's account, in the Archæologia, greatly strengthens this conjecture; for, the writer clearly discovered "the effigies of great persons com.

pelling

pelling their subjects to obedience; others executing justice; others, as he conceived, by the mildness of their aspect, shewing tenderness in their admonitions; and others again exhibiting instances of their proud prowess in

arms."

While virtue and science kindled at

these examples, ever present to their view, while devotion was animated by the awful presence. of the deities addressed, how ardent must have been the throb for distinction which the former felt, how energetic the ejaculations of the latter! Every tongue uttered the dictates of wisdom, and every heart bounded with the transports of religion.

SECTION

SECTION IV.

The Parallel between the physical and symbolical Superstition of India and Egypt commenced, preparatory to a more extensive Survey in a future Section. The Origin and History of Hieroglyphic Designation. Those of India and Egypt compared. Have nearly all an astronomical Allusion. The principal Deities of either Country and their Functions compared. The Cavern-Rites of Mithra practised in both. -A stupendous Excavation in the Thebais, with a Sacrifice to the Sun sculptured on the Walls. The Whole to be referred to a Chaldaic and Sabian Origin.

L

EST the assertions in the preceding pages

should appear to some of my readers to be of too general a nature, and lest I should be supposed to have substituted eloquent declamation in the place of historical fact, I must now intreat their permission to descend to certain particulars, that will elucidate what

has