population were generally present, and were very attentive. The native popuation here is large, and of a very mixed character.

Under date of January 25th, Mr. Allen, after giving some account of a brahmin, at Ahiwarree, who was keeping up an ugne hotru or perpetual sacred fire, and who had become extremely self-righteous by his superstitious observances, and treated the gospel with great scorn and hatred, adds the following remarks

Native authors of that period say it contained 954,000 inhabitants, and 1,600 mosques. Allowing these accounts to be somewhat exaggerated, yet the extent of the city, and the ruins outside the walls, which extend in some directions for nearly two miles, shew that its popuwall inclosing what was originally the lation must have been very large. The city, is eight miles in circumference, and is built of hewn stone, having towers at intervals of about one hundred or two hundred yards. It is surrounded by a deep ditch, excavated much of the way in solid rock, and in some places now I have always found those persons partly filled up. This is said to be the who trust in the supposed merits of their largest fort in the world. Within this is rites and ceremonies to be less affected another fort, which contains also within by argument, reason, and truth, than itself a strong castle. The Jumma Musthose whose reliance is placed on the jid, or great mosque, in which we have merit of their supposed virtuous actions. taken our lodging, is a splendid edifice It is easy to convince men of the latter 290 feet long, and 165 feet wide. The class, that if they have not erred altotwo wings which project from the front gether, yet they have really and truly corners are each 210 feet long by fortyerred in some instances, and therefore five feet wide. The roof of the edifice stand in need of divine mercy; but noth-consists of one large dome in the centre, ing seems to affect the conscience of the former class of men. The numerous, I may almost say innumerable, rites and ceremonies of the Hindoo religion, and the great merit ascribed to the performance of them, constitute one of the strong-holds of heathenism. The Spirit of God alone can convince them of their delusion and dispel their blindness. How dangerous and deplorable such a state; and how earnest ought all Christians to be in their supplications for the influence of the Holy Spirit to accompany the preaching of the gospel to the Hindoos!

Beejapoor-Its Fort, Mosque, Mausoleums, Cannon.

Mr. Allen writes that this place has never before, so far as he can learn, been visited by a missionary.

29. Beejapoor. From Shadapoor to this place, seventy miles, the country is generally level, slightly cultivated, and thinly peopled. In some villages we found both the Mahratta and Canarese languages used in common intercourse, but reading and writing, with few exceptions, are confined to the former language. Beejapoor, (sometimes called by the English writers on India, Viziapoor,) was for nearly two hundred years the capital of a Mohammedan kingdom. It was then one of the largest and most populous and splendid cities in India.

VOL. XXXI I.

and many small ones around it, and is supported by rows of pillars united at the top by arches. The place for prayer contains many extracts from the Koran, beautifully carved in stone, the letters covered with gold. The design and execution of the structure in all its parts, display great genius and skill. It is built of stone or brick and lime, no wood appearing to be used in any part of the structure. It was erected 270 years ago by Ali Adil Shah, then king of Beejapoor, and it is still in a good state of preservation.

To-day being Friday about twelve or fifteen persons, with their moollah, came to worship. They were engaged about an hour in hearing the Koran read, and in prayer. They appeared to be earnest and devout. To hear men thus offering up their prayers to one who was an impostor, and calling on him to hear and save them, was truly affecting. But how different the scene before us from what formerly took place here every Friday at this same hour, when kings and princes, with all their splendor and train, came here to worship!

Near the Jumma Musjid is the mausoleum erected by Mohammed Shah, (sometimes called Sultan Mohammed,) over the tomb which he had prepared for himself and his family. This edifice is described by an English traveler to be 240 feet square. The interior is one vast room, covered by a single dome. In the centre, on a large elevated platform, are the tomb-stones of the royal 27

1

builder and his family, seven in number. Their bodies were deposited in a vault or vaults beneath. At each corner of the mausoleum, and contiguous to it, is a large minaret. In each minaret is a winding passage, ascending through eight stories to the top, where it communicates with the mausoleum at the base of the dome. A view of the interior of the mausoleum from this position exceeds any which can be had on the ground-floor. From this place, men walking on the floor appear like children. The top of the dome appears still to be as high above the observer as it did when he stood on the ground-floor, now probably more than one hundred feet below him, while all the upper parts of the edifice appear much larger. The echo of our voices when speaking to each other from opposite sides of the dome, was loud and distinct. This stupendous edifice was erected by Mohammed Shah, one of the kings of Beejapoor, who died 175 years ago. Though slightly injured and decayed in some parts, yet few structures have so well endured the destroying influence of time.

ordnance, of stupendous size. "Its weight is more than forty tons. The diameter of the muzzle is four feet eight inches. The diameter of the calibre is about thirty inches. A cast-iron ball for this cannon would weigh 2,646 pounds.” The superstitious natives believe that some evil spirit has taken up his abode in this cannon, and they worship at the muzzle, offering prayers, incense, flowers, etc., to appease him and thus prevent his injuring them.

On a high and apparently very ancient temple, designed probably for a place of observation as well as defence, is an iron cannon more than thirty feet long, with a calibre of thirteen inches. On one of the bastions connected with the wall, is another iron cannon, which, though not quite so long as the last mentioned, is yet in other respects much larger, being four feet three inches at the muzzle, with a calibre of twenty-one inches. These two last mentioned cannon are made of bars of iron hooped round and welded so as to make a compact mass. But enough concerning such engines of destruction. May the time soon come when they shall be cut up and forged into plough-shares and pruning-hooks for the use of the neighboring husband

men.

Becjapoor belongs to the rajah of Satara. It contains probably twelve hundred inhabited houses. Of these one fourth part may be those of Mohammedans. Their general appearance indi

30. Last night an intelligent native man, well acquainted with the history of this place, called on us and engaged to accompany us early this morning to see some of its principal curiosities. He accordingly came, and as soon as it was sufficiently light, we went to examine the ruins of this once splendid city. We looked at two or three of the royal pal-cates great poverty; and as we visited aces and gardens. One of these remains about entire, and enough remains of all to shew their form, extent, and magnificence. The mosques and, mausoleums are very numerous-including those outside the wall, they probably amount to several hundreds. A considerable number of these are of a size, solidity, and beauty seldom to be met with. One mausoleum, nearly sixty feet square, exclusive of a double verandah, each fifteen feet wide and twenty-two feet high, entirely surrounding it, has a large part of its surface covered with extracts from the Koran, beautifully carved in the stone. The mausoleum, in all its parts, with the verandah which surrounds it, is built of granite finely wrought, and the structure is covered by a splendid dome. In the centre of the building are the tomb-stones of the royal builder, Ibrahim Adil Shah, and his family.

Among the curiosities we saw two or three cannon which deserve a passing notice. One of them is a piece of brass

the scenes of their former wealth and splendor, many were ready with their tale of misery, hoping to gain something in the way of charity. We have found the Mahratta language much less used than we expected. The Mohammedans generally use the Hindoostanee or the Persian, and the Hindoos generally in common intercourse use the Canarese, The brahmins generally can read Mahratta, and many of them can use it in conversation. This difficulty in respect to the language of the people has necessarily much limited our intercourse with them, and consequently our labor for their spiritual good. We have distributed tracts and the Scriptures, and have conversed with individuals as we have found opportunity. This place is the limit of our tour. It is two hundred miles from Ahmednuggur, nearly in a north direction. We shall now change our course, and proceed for some days nearly in a northwest direction.

Nimburgee---Mungulwarree--Punder- || When present in considerable numbers,

poor.

Feb. 3. Nimburgee. The country from Beejapoor is generally level; the villages are small, and the appearance of the people indicates poverty and ignorance. This village contains 250 or 300 houses. The people appear to have heard nothing before of Christianity. They have usually been attentive, and we have been engaged most of the day in stating and explaining the truths of the gospel, or in conversation with individuals on religious subjects. In such instances attention and apparent acquiescence to the truth of what is said are generally to be ascribed to curiosity, ignorance, and fear of opposing.

4. Mungulwarree. After much trouble, we succeeded in obtaining possession of a small house in a populous part of the village. No missionary, so far as we know, has before passed this way, and the people seemed at first to avoid us. But when they saw that we could use their language, and were disposed to converse with those we met, they became more accessible. A few tracts we gave away were carried into the bazaar and excited much curiosity. Our place was soon thronged with people, some inquiring for books, and others listening to hear what we had to say. The company, though continually changing, yet continued to be numerous till nearly night. There were often fifty or sixty persons present at once, and most of them remained a considerable time. As they were quite unacquainted with Christianity, our time was taken up in stating and explaining its principal truths, and in replying to the few inquiries and objections which were made. People generally, however, listened with encouraging attention, and little disposition was manifested to dispute or cavil. We have to-day distributed a great number of tracts and of the Scriptures, which will assist those who may be disposed to inquire farther concerning the truths they have heard. May the Holy Spirit incline the hearts of many to examine, enlighten their minds to understand, and guide them to a knowledge of the truth.

as they often were, we addressed them, as far as practicable, collectively. When but few were présent, our intercourse with them was in the way of conversation. Many of them were persons who called yesterday. We found that they remembered what they had heard, and had read the books they received enough to think of many objections to the application of the truths of Christianity to themselves. One man brought back several tracts and portions of Scripture which had been given to him and to his friends, saying that the books were not such as they expected, and they had no farther use for them. Mungulwarree is supposed to contain 1,700 or 1,800 houses. The proportion of people who are educated, is uncommonly large. We have distributed a great many books, which may be blessed to the spiritual good of some of them. This place is subject to a native prince who has extensive possessions in the vicinity. His deputy, and most, if not all, who hold stations in the government, called on us.

7. Punderpoor. Arrived here yesterday and took up our abode in the same place which I occupied here two years ago. It was some time before we could find any opportunity of conversing with any one who would listen to serious things, or of furnishing with books any who could read. When, however, the attention of people became excited, our lodging-place was thronged, and continued to be so through most of the day. The company has been nearly or quite as numerous to-day. Some came to obtain books, some came prepared to defend their own system of religion, if they should hear any thing said against it. And others, expecting there would be discussion, came to see how it would be managed, and what would be the result. People generally remained long enough to hear a brief statement and explanation of the principal truths of the gospel, and we endeavored to accompany the distribution of tracts and the Scriptures with as much instruction as the time and circumstances would admit. We had several discussions of considerable length with brahmins, eight or ten of them taking part, and a crowd looking on and 5. It was our intention to leave here listening. They were generally civil early this morning and proceed on our and respectful, though earnest and zealtour. But we found the population to be ous in defending the principles and pracmore numerous and more disposed to tices of their religion. At the conclulisten than we expected, and so we consion of the discussions no one refused cluded to remain another day. To-day books, though we remarked that we exwe have had company much of the time."pected all who received any to examine

Short Excursions for Conversation and with faggots, stopping to see the foreignDistribution of Books.

rudeness. I was making a comparison || his friends living in different parts of between those of them whose feet were the empire, and that as far as he knew as nature made them, and those whose they were read. It is an ancient custom feet had been cramped in fashion's vice, of the Chinese to give and receive gifts giving my judgment in favor of the for- at new-year, and it was as such presents mer. This comparison was made at that this man had distributed the Bibles rather an unfortunate time, for what I given him. Knowing the regard paid said was heard by one just hobbling by: to tokens of remembrance from friends and she, to show that I was no judge of among the Chinese, may we not hope such matters, set out to run with her that these volumes will be read with atburden, which nearly overthrew the poor tention, partly from respect to the donor? girl, and excited the merriment of those The carpenter took several of our tracts, sitting. Hopes were entertained by us which he said he would give to the viltoo, that these books were requested lage schoolmaster on his return from with some reference to the fact that Macao. The hamlet near which we they were religious works, for it was not then were was poverty and wretchedtill after they were examined that the ness personified. The men were mostly demand became general. One intelli- in the fields, and the women and chilgent looking man, after looking at a dren were dirty and ragged enough. volume of the Scripture Lessons given Filth and dirt every where appear to be him for a few moments, began in a loud concomitants of heathenism. A chrisvoice to tell the tenor of the books to tian peasant strives to make his poverty those around. He declared that they clean and wholesome, while a heathen taught the practice of virtue, that men is content to live in such wretchedness should be good, and once made a refer- and mire as would put the more cleanly ence to the name of Jesus, when I re- beasts of the forest to the blush. The minded him of it, in a manner that one cabins were mostly built of mud plasdoes when a thing is momentarily for- || tered, and at a distance they appeared gotten. This movement on his part very pretty, embosomed as they were in was so voluntary, that we were much a grove of bamboos. The buffaloes were pleased with the attention and thought alarmed at our approach, and were init betokened. On leaving, we could not clined to make closer observation of us restrain a prayer to God, that he would than was pleasant. They are a larger condescend to bless his own word so animal than the cow, but coarser in their cheerfully received. appearance and dirtier in their habits, delighting to wallow in the dirt like swine. Near this village we found the tallow-tree growing, a most beautiful tree in its foliage and shape. The tallow envelopes the seed, and is separated by boiling in hot water, from the top of which it is taken and run into candles. These are covered with a coat of vermilion, and have the property of never becoming hard. On our return we met an elderly, grey-haired man, who saluted us very courteously, but for whom we had only a small and partly torn tract, which he kindly received. In all these excursions, there have probably been 150 volumes distributed; a small number, I know, but the kindness and interest with which they were received is indicative of the success more extensive distributions would meet.

On another visit to the same island, we encountered a party of eighteen men engaged in burying a man, apparently under the direction of a landlord, who was a good beau ideal in his form, manners, and tone of voice, of that class of people. Every one of them was supplied with a book, which they requested before we distributed them: and the head-man, seeing the bag empty, with the greatest good will and pleasantry, took up a basin filled with ground nuts and oranges, and forced its contents into the bag rather against my will. "What," said he, "you give away all your books, and I give you nothing in return!" This reception was gratifying, for near this place, Mr. Lay, a few days before had had his books returned to him.

In another short walk we took, we met a Chinese who had performed two or three voyages as a ship carpenter, having been to London, Bombay, and also up the coast in the opium vessels. Several books had been given him by one person and another, most of which he declared he had given as presents to

Dec. 10. Messrs. Lay and Stevens left Macao on the 3d instant in the Himmaleh for Borneo.

A general letter from the mission to China has been received and will be inserted hereafter.