Classical Theology.—Lxii.

the god Brahma used to worship , that has occasioned Seringham to be held in such extreme veneration . "Pilgrims from all parts of the Peninsula come here to obtain absolution , and none come without an offering- of money . A large part of the revenue of the island is allotted for the maintenance of the Brahmins who inhabit the Pagoda . Thesewith their

, families , formerly composed a multitude of not less than forty thousand souls maintained without labour by the liberality of superstition . Here , as in all the other great Pagodas of India , the Brahmins live in a subordination which knows no resistance , and slumber in a voluptuousness which knows no want . "

Yet in comparing these Gentoo places of worship , as termed Hindoo or Hindu temples with the idolatrous temples of ancient Greece or Borne , they fall so far off from the accomplished science of mural grandeur and elegance , as not to pourtray to us any indications of a more distant and superior civilisation and refinement

than are to be met with elsewhere , that is , upon classic ground ; or indeed , to bring the proof home , not so much so , as is discoverable amid the ancient ruins of other nations of Asia , which , of the divisions of the globe , is the most interesting . Here the garden of Eden was named Paradise ; here commenced the

existence , the birthplace , the nurturing of the human race ; here the Ark rested from the flood ; here Noah planted his vineyard , and built Natshivan , the most beautiful city in Armenia ; here , also , is the tomb , or the neglected remains of it—a small arched chamber without a cupola , designated by Armenian historians " Noah ' s monument . " Nor is it less than that here the first temple of Jerusalem was consecrated to God , and God himself consecrated the Tabernacle of the

Holy Ghost to the word made flesh . Of course , therefore , if anywhere , it is in Asia we must expect to find the most early evidences of practical prudence , religion , laws , arts , sciences , and all the social attainments of immortal and mortal life .

Having alluded to the other description of ancient Gentoo architecture , or in a word , the Hindoo or Indian fortresses , suffice it , therefore , merely to mention their general construction . There are found ascending from the vast level expanses in different parts of Hindoostan , immense elevations of earth and rock forming of themselves places of natural strength

, or fastnesses . These , in many instances , having been taken eaiiy possession of , and strongly fortified with a variety of cut out and consolidating works , and held impregnable by the natives , as retreats in dangerous times , were converted into stations or forts . It is surmised from the appearance of the structures and

from tradition , that they were executed in very remote ages , and « it periods when there must have been invasions or hostilities in India . Several of these fortresses still remain , and are all works of considerable magnitude and defence . Amongst them conspicuously are the well known Golconda and Gwallow , and those

in the Deccan , respecting which the Bengal fortresses bear no equal comjiarison . Burhampour , Asseegur , and Dowlatabad , have been deemed invincible under their dynasties . Indeed , the tfro latter are so surmounted by strong walls , that efficiently garrisoned , they might even now safely defy any assault . Also Adoi , which the famous Sultan Tippoo Saib , succeeded in making himself the master of , is held in no way less celebrated for strength and importance .

New Materials For The Life Of John Bacon. R.A.

NEW MATERIALS FOR THE LIFE OF JOHN BACON . R . A .

John Bacon is a great name in the history 0 f English Sculpture . Many statues have been erected in St . Paul's in the sixty and four years that have passed since Bacon's death , but with the two exceptions of Flaxmau's Sir Joshua Reynolds , and Chantrey ' s General Gillespie , there are no standrag statues in our metroplitoan cathedral that

can be named in the same breath with Bacon ' s Dr . Johnson and Bacon's John Howard . They were cheap enough . My father , in his " Life of Bacon , " has omitted to mention what they cost : I now supply his omission . For the "Johnson" he received £ 600 ; for the " John Howard , " one thousand three

hundred guineas , a difference of price which the " Howard" bas-relief will hardly account for : the "Johnson" has no bas-relief . Let our sculptors contrast the " Johnson " six hun * dred pounds with the sums received by the elder WestmacottbChantreybBailyand others . I remember

, y , y , very well then ( ISil ) a suggestion was publicly made that the whole of the money raised for a statue to Sir David Wilkie was too much for a statue , and that a nortion of the subscription should be funded for

an annual "Wilkie medal" for excellence in painting . Sir Robert Peel was in the chair when the sugestioa was made . Sir Robert appealed to my father who was near him . " Don't starve the statue , " said my father , I think I see once more the smile of full conviction which pervaded the face of our great statesman . The medal suggestion was no more heard of

, and the late Mr . Joseph received for the " Wilkie " nearly three times the sum that Bacon received for the " Johnson . " The smaller sum produced the better statue . Bacon has had two biographers , —the Rev . Richard Cecil , vicar of Bisley , in Surrey , who died in 1810 , and

my father , who died in 1842 . With respect to what Bacon was " as an artist , " Cecil's work is valueless ; with respect to " what , " in the words of his epitaph , " he really was as a Believer in Jesus Christ , " his work is of importance . As a man , Bacon was handled severelb fatherandfrom all I can learntoo

y y my , , , severely . In the autumn of 184-4 I was at Worthing , on the coast of Sussex , with my family . In the same house ( 5 , Bath-buildings ) , on the drawing-room floor was lodging a staid , demure , elderly gentleman , of the name of Bacon . Who Mr . Bacon was I never

asked—certainly it never occurred to me that I wa 3 living in the same house with the son of the great sculptor of the Chatham , John Howard , and Johnson monuments : I sincerely wish that I had known who my fellow lodger was , for most assuredly I should have sought his acquaintance , for the courtesy of his and the " new materials " his conversation was

manner sure to supply for a new edition of my father ' s "Lives . " The following interesting letter first made known to me the pleasure and instruction I had missed : — .

To 3 frs . Peter OunnwigTiam . " Ciiarnock-place , Winchester , 25 th September , 1854 . Dear Madam , —A word dropped by yourself , while I was taking leave , on the subject of the late Mr-Cunningham and my late father , signifying , as I ' derstood you , that they had known each other , induces