put him, if he is not previously worried | bound to that island, should keep in the and eaten by the jackalls or tigers, which Meridian of Bushire, till in the Lat. 26° is commonly the case. Many of these 35' N. then the lead should be kept going miserable creatures are carried out perfect- quickly, as Durable Shoal was found to ly sensible; and, when they see themselves be steep to. about to be removed, terrified with the idea of their awful doom, they shriek and pray, and catch hold of every thing that comes in their way, to avoid their fate; and in one district, where I was very lately, I was informed, if a person happen to die in a house, it is either immediately pulled down, or abandoned for ever.

BOMBAY.

DANGEROUS SHOAL; SHOALS NUMEROUS. It may be of consequence to some of our readers to know their danger,' and the duty of keeping a sharp look out, in the seas to which the subsequent paragraph refers: the information it contains should also be copied into all maps and charts of

the localities.

The Right Honourable the Governor in Council, is pleased to publish for general information, the following extract of the Log Book of the ship Durable, and an extract of a letter from the Commander of the Honorable Company's cruizer Ariel, describing the shoal in the Gulph of Persia, on which the Durable was wrecked.

Extract from the Log.

Durable shoal lying E. S. E. and W. N. W. eight or nine miles long, and fron two to two and a half miles broad, very steep too, soundings on it from one to two and three fathoms, hard pointed rocks jutting up, and patches of sand in various spots. Lat. observed 26° 59' N. Long. by chronometer 50° 26' E.

Extract of a letter from Lieutenant Arthur, commanding the H. C. cruizer Ariel, dated Muscat, Sept. 24th, 1817.

The Shoal I have named after the late ship Durable, it extends W. N. W. and E. S. E. about ten or twelve miles, in a narrow slip, being at the broadest part, about the centre, two and a half or three miles; the Durable was lost on the northern edge of the shoal, as near the centre as possible. I made the latitude of the spot the ship was wrecked upon, 26° 55' North, and the difference of Longitude from Bushire town 25' 30" W. by well regulated chronometers; the moon was not to be seen. The Longitude of the town of Bushire is variously accounted, but I believe Captain Jeakes of the Marine, has the best information. There is every reason to suppose, that all to the Northward of Bahrein is full of shoals, and a vessel

Published by order of the Right Honorable the Governor in Council. W. NEWNHAM, Secretary to Government. Bombay Castle, 13th October, 1817. Further particulars, from private authority.

We are sorry to state that the ship Durable, Captain R. Guthrie, of this port, was totally lost a little after midnight of the 21st August, in the Persian Gulph, on a reef of sunken rocks on the coast of Arabia. She had sailed from Bushire on the 18th August, bound to Bahrein, under convoy of the H. C. cruizer Ariel, which narrowly escaped sharing the same fate. At the time the accident happened, the Durable, having the pilot on board, was a short distance a bead of the cruizer, steering S. by W. with a light wind from E. S. E. and a considerable swell. The cruizer immediately put about, and having in five minutes deepened from 3 fathoms to 6 fatboms, anchored and sent all her boats to the assistance of the Durable: but the latter struck so forcibly and rolled so heavily, that all the exertions used, proved ineffectual to save the ship. All the people, some of the cargo, and a considerable portion of her stores were conveyed on board the Ariel.

RAPID PROGRESS OF INTELLIGENCE.

As an instance of the exertions now made in transmitting intelligence to our connexions in India, it is presumed that the passage here recorded is exemplary, if not almost singular: the importance of such a communication on urgent occasions is too obvious to escape notice.

The overland dispatch which recently reached Bombay by way of Suez, has made by far the quickest progress of any arivals which have reached India for the last twelve months-the news from London has been thus brought down to within two months and twenty-fix days of its arrival at Bombay.

SINGULAR CAVERN; TEMPLE, AND IDOLS.

From Persia by way of India. The following account of a natural curiosity, a cavern in a mountain near Shapoor, will be read with interest; but, much greater interest arises from the description

of the colossal statue, inclosed in that recess. It is certain that many thousands of caves anciently used as dwellings still remain in the various Persian provinces; and that colossal statues are known to exist, where few travellers animated with the spirit of European curiosity, ever pass. As the subject is curious, and as our countrymen are daily becoming better acquainted with those parts, we shall insert an extract, for which we are obliged to that celedrated Sanscrit scholar, Colonel Wilford.

lers I have seen; and the disproportion is not so great between the two. According to the author of the Pharang-Jehanghiri cited by Thos. Hyde, they are said to be only fifty cubits high, which appears to be the true dimensions. At some distance from these two statues, is another of a high. Natives and Persian authors, who smaller size, being about fifteen cubits have mentioned them, agree neither about their sex nor their names. The few Hindus, who live in these countries, say, that they represent Bhim and his consort: the followers of Buddha, that they are the statues of Shahama, and his disciple Salsala. The Musulmans insist, that they are the statues of Key-Umursh and his consort, "The city of Bamiyan consists of a vast that is to say, Adam and Eve; and that number of apartments, and recesses, cut the third is intended for Seish or Seth their out of the rock some of which, on acson; whose tomb, or at least the place count of their extraordinary dimensions, where it stood formerly, is shewn near are supposed to have beeu temples. They Bahlac. This is in some measure conare called Samach'h, [this word is spelt fimed by the author of the Pharang JeSamachchh by the natives] in the language hanghiri, who says, that these statues exof the country, and Samaj in Persian.isted in the time of Noah; though he gives There are no pillars to be seen in any of them, according to the information I have received from travellers, who had visited them. Some of them are adorned with niches and carved work; and there are to be seen the remains of some figures in relievo, which were destroyed or miserably disfigured by the Musulmans. Some remains of paintings on the walls are still to be seen in some of them: but the smoke, from the fires made there by the inhabitants, has almost obliterated them. It is said in the Ayeen-Akbery, that there are about 12,000 of these recesses, in the Tuman or Tagavi of Bamiyan; this is also confirmed, from general report, by travellers. The country of the Afghans, as far as Bahlac and Badacshan, abounds with Samach'hes or Samajes: some of them are very rude, whilst others are highly finished and ornamented. The most perfect are at a place called Mohi, on the road between Bamiyan and Bahlac: as they are situated among precipices, the Musulmans have never thought of living in them, and the paintings, with which they are adorned, look quite fresh.

"But what never fails to attract the notice of travellers, are two colossal statues, which are seen at a great distance. They are erect, and adhere to the mountain from which they were cut out. They are in a sort of niches, the depth of which, is equal to the thickness of the statues. It is said, in the Ayeen-Akbery, that the largest is eighty ells high, and the other only fifty. These dimensions are greatly exaggerated, according to the opinion of all the travel

them different, names, and supposes the third to represent an old woman, called Nesr, more generally represented with the countenance of a vulture. These statues are so much defaced, through the injury of all-devouring time, and the intolerant zeal of the Musulmans, that I believe it is difficult to ascertain their sex. Travellers do, however, agree that one of them at least is a beardless youth; some more particularly insist that the swelling of the breasts is remarkably obvious, and that both look towards the east, so that, when the sun rises, they seem to smile, but look gloomy in the evening. Their dress, as described to me, is much the same with that of the two figures, half buried at Tuct-Rustum, near Istacar in Persia; with this difference, that the female figure has no head-dress; but the male has such a tiara as is worn by the supposed female figure at Tuct-Rustum.

These statues were visited, at least ten, or twelve different times, by a famous traveller, called Meyan-Asod Shah, who is a man highly respected, both on account of his descent from Mohammed, and his personal character. He is well informed, in affluent circumstances, through the piety of the faithful, and keeps company with the princes of the country, and persons of the first rank. He informed me lately, that these two statues are in two different niches, and about forty paces distant from each other, That the drapery is covered with embroidery and figured work; which formerly was painted of different colours; traces of which are still

inspection; they will probably afford curious discoveries; the relics of ages long departed.

A meeting of the Asiatic Society was held at the Society's Room Oct. 1st, 1817, Mr. Harrington, Vice-President, in the Chair.

visible. That one seems to have been painted of a red colour: and the other, either retains the original colour of the stone, or was painted grey. That one certainly represents a female, from the beauty and smoothness of her features, and swelling of her breasts: the head being so much elevated is secure from insult below, and is also protected from the weather by An account of an extensive cavern, the projection above. The statue of their containing the remains of a colossal stasupposed son is nearly half a mile distant, tue, recently discovered in the mounand about twenty feet high. One of the tains in the vicinity of Shapoor, in the molegs of the male figure is much broken: dern province of Fars, the ancient Persis, for the Musulmans never march that way was received from Lieutenant R. Taylor, cannon without firing two or three shots of the Bombay establishment, and preat them but from their want of skill, they sented by the Secretary to the Society. seldom do much mischief. Aurengzebe, In September, 1816, Mr. Williams and it is said, in his expedition to Bahlac, in Captain Maude, of His Majesty's ship Fathe year 1646, passed that way, and or- vourite, on visiting the site of the ancient dered as usual, a few shots to be fired; city of Shahpoor, accompanied by Meer one of them took place, and almost broke Shumsoodeen, a predatory chieftain,--the its leg, which bled copiously. This, and cave, containing a prostrate colossal tisome frightful dreams, made him desist, gure, was pointed out by the latter, who, and the clotted blood, it is said, adheres to from his plundering mode of life had bethe wound, to this day. The miracle is come well acquainted with the hidden reequally believed by the Hindus and Mu- cesses of the mountains. The cave is dissulmans; the former attribute it to the su tant from Shahpoor three miles, on the opperior power of the deity; and the latter posite side of the river. From the base of to witchcraft. According to Dr. Hyde, the mountain, near the summit of which one of these statues is called Surkh-But, the excavation is made, no traces of a caor the red idol; the other Khink-But, or vern are discernible. The ascent is diffi the grey idol. As to their being hollow, cult, chiefly from its perpendicular height. I believe, it is an idle tale: at least the When the travellers had nearly reached the travellers I have consulted, knew nothing top, they found themselves at the foot of of it. Between the legs of the male figure, an abrupt rampart, about thirty feet high, is a door leading into a most spacious tem- the depth of which, from its upper edge ple, the dimensions of which, they could to the entrance of the cave, to which it not describe otherwise, than by saying, it forms a level landing, was sixty feet. The could easily hold the camp equipage and entrance to the cavern is a plain, roughly baggage of Zeman-shah, and of his whole hewn arch, three feet high, and thirtyarmy. It is remarkable only for its extra-five feet wide, beyond which the height ordinary dimensions: it is dark and gloomy; and there are a few niches, with the re mains of some figures in alto-relievo. At the entrance are stationed a few wretched Banyans, who sell provision to travellers. The greatest part of the Samajes in Tagavi Bamiyan are still inhabited by Musulmans, who live promiscuously with their cattle. I have been informed, that there are no other statues than these three; but, from the numerous fragments which are seen through the Tagavis, there must have been several hundreds of them. They shew to this day the Samach'h, in which the famous Vyasa composed the Vedas; and others, where divers holy men gave them selves up to meditation, and the contemplation of the Supreme Being. Asiatic Researches, Vol. VI.

The numbers of these caves, with their situations and contents, deserves further

increases to forty feet, and the width to sixty and seventy. The figure, which is of stone, appears to have stood originally on a pedestal in the middle of this excavation, but was discovered lying on the ground, and the legs, below the knees, broken off.

The costume

to

appears be similar to the sculptures at Shahpoor, Nukshi Roostum and Persepolis, and with the same luxuriant flow of curled hair. Its arms rest upon the hips, and the costume is a robe fastened by a small button at the neck and falling loosely over the elbows, and in this respect differs from the sculptures just mentioned. The length of the face from the forehead to the chin is two feet three inches, and the length of the body four feet and a half. According to this measurement the whole figure must have been about fourteen feet high. From the statue, to the most retired parts of the cavern, the excavation in

creases in height and width. After passing down an inclined plane, for about twenty feet, and up an ascent of about fifty feet more, the travellers reached a dry reservoir, seventeen feet by seven wide, and five feet deep. Farther on, they began to descend by torch light, a low narrow passage in the rock, and reached another cavern, the roof of which was supported by a few huge shapeless pillars. No conjecture is offered respecting the use or object of this extraordinary excavation.

Horrid Superstitions.

long black hair hanging frightfully over his shoulders and face, around his loins a broad belt strung with a number of bells, also bells around his ankles, and a heavy hempen rope for flagellation in his hand; making altogether a very horrid appearance. The kid was brought, and waved around the spot where the other offerings had been made. It was then seized by that demon like man, who began to run round the car, which was the engine of torture; and, at the same time, to tear open with his teeth the throat of the kid, and to suck its blood. While he was doing this, the clang of music, the yell of the people, the crowding, howling, and pushing around him, exhibited a horrid and di

The journals of the American Missionaries have already furnished our pages with some curious and minute accounts of Hinabolical scene. After the monster had thus doo observances; (see vol. VII. N. S. p. 1003, and p. 99 of this volume,) we now couti nue our extracts with the following description of some remarkable sacrifices.

We have witnessed a horrid specimen of the Hindoo religion. It was at a village called by the natives, Kamat a poor, i. e. the town of the Kamatees, who are a Telinga people, from the opposite side of the Peninsula. The affair took place at the temple of Kandoba, or Kandeh Roa, an incarnation of Mahadave in a human form, in which character he destroyed the demon Manimal. To this god, two persons, a man and a woman of low caste, made a Vow. The man, as was said, made his vow, and performed it, for the purpose of obtaining greater bodily strength and vigour, and the woman that she might have an offspring.

The vows were performed by making offerings to the idol, and by torturing themselves before the temple. The affair began with music and dancing before the door of the temple; or rather by a barbarous jangle of harsh-sounding drums and pipes, and by a sort of beastly play, some what resembling the plays of dogs or monkeys.

After this, the offerings were made. They consisted of a small quantity of boiled rice, a few small cakes, several kinds of colouring stuffs or sacred paint, burning of incense, and a drink-offering of toddy, an intoxicating liquor taken from the palm tree, besides a number of other things; which were all placed on a little spot of ground, previously figured by red lines variously intersecting one another.

After these offerings were made, the sacrifice of a kid was performed. The person who principally officiated at the sacrifice, was an old man almost naked, with

torn the kid and drunk its blood, he was caressed and reverenced by the people, as a superior being, and they were as eager to touch him, as though the touch of him was sufficient to communicate some invaluable blessing,

The car just mentioned consisted of two cart-wheels, upon the axis of which was perpendicularly erected a pole, ten or twelve feet in length. On the top of this perpendicular pole, another pole, of about twenty-five feet in length, was so fixed horizontally, that, by means of ropes fastened to one end of it, the opposite end might be let down to the ground, or elevated at pleasure to the height of about twenty feet. Near the end of the pole to be thus elevated, was fastened on it a cloth, or a kind of canopy, and directly under this canopy was fastened a rope for suspending the person voluntarily devoted to

torture.

All things being made ready, a young man, loaded with red and yellow paint, came forward. Preceded by musicians and followed by a train, he began to circumambulate the temple, making a circumfer ence of about thirty rods. After going round the temple several times in this way, two iron hooks, having each two prongs thrust through the skin and principal mus cles on the small of the back, were made fast to the end of the poll which was let down near the ground. Justantly the ropes at the other end were pulled, and the poor frantic creature was drawn up to the height of about twenty feet and there fastened. The music struck up, and a noisy group seized the ropes fastened to the car, and drew it six times round the temple, making the circumference as before mentioned; the man at the same time scattering the dust of chunda-wood on the crowds under him. When he was let down, the people mani. fested the same eagerness to touch him, as

they did before to touch the monster who | the village opened a fire on our small party, had sucked the blood of the kid.