The Sun.
London, England, 1841-09-17 00:00:00

AN ENGLISH LADY IN A PAGODA.

While at Wallajahhad I became acquainted with a
Brahmin, whom Major C had rendered sonic
littie service, and he was frequently at our house, and
endeavoured to teach the the game of chess, in which
he himself was a great proficient. On one occasion
when he was in high good humour, having beat me
game after game for a whale week, I mentioned to
him the great desire I had to see the inside of one of
the Conjeveram pagodas, no Europeans being ever al.
lowed to go in. lie hesitated a great deal, and at last
told me it was impossible to grant my request ; how-
ever, I still persevered, and at length carried my point.
The following day a feast or ceremony was in the largest
and most beautiful of the temples. My Brahmin told
me to be there an hour earlier, and he would see
what lie could de. I gladly and readily av tiled
myself of this permission, and accordingly was
conveyed in a Palanquin to Conjeveram, and had it
placed under a row of fine trees opposite the great
domed pagoda. I had gone in a very long white mus-
lin dress, and had braided my hair across my forehead,
and twisted it behind like the natives-, to be as little
conspicuous as pce.sible, while a large and thickly-
, sprigged black veil was over my head and face ; I had
also black silk gloves and stockings. I alighted and
walked into the outer circle of the pagoda, with two
of my bearers close to me, the torntoms, drums, and
cymbals, making a most deafening noise. I had sta-
tioned myself near the door of the grand entrance,
where I had not remained above a few minutes, when
my venerable friend made his appearance ; he told me
he had consulted with one of the head people, and I
might be permitted to see the place before the
grand ceremony commenced, provided I would
enter without my shoes and give ten rupees to
one of the gods, both which conditions I agreed
to. I hastened back to my palanquin, and took
off my shoes, and, accompanied as before, resumed my
place within the grand entrance. My boys were
ordered to remain behind ; being of a different caste,
they were not allowed to go further. I followed my
conductor through m my long and dark passages, where
I heard shrieks and groans, apparently proceeding
from recesses that were close by me. My heart peat
very quickly. I heartily repented of my curiosity, and
Set felt ashamed to turn back. At length we arrived
in one of the most beautiful vestibules I had ever beheld
or my imagination could ever picture ; it was lighted
from the top of the dome, and the mid-day sun
cast his piercing rays dawn upon us. The pavement
was of the finest white marble, inlaid with
coloured stones in the shape of hideous urn;
sters ; under what class of description to
them, it is impossible to say. Toe walls were alsoo.f.
marble, to the height of perhaps 150 feet ;
feetthey broad,w er
and about ten feet betweea each other, in w
shaped so as to form recesses of about four
placed images, or as they call them, swarne”.
feet
of them
hichTe
were alternately silvere
wheesr
landg°ll and rub some
ten or twelve high, with emerald y eyes,
ao
sight.their
airandthseommeosotf
faces, who, from fear of
ese
calling down the vengeance
were men lying flat oa their
of us
the Rod, or
at,h;fuml seem a
mannered t o
es tfnarree downmany
nuip.otn,.
to avoid a
tillj eyes,
s: theyv''o uslvde r ecr out of glarestomachs
mlike their
ap rsencai okuas
L for my departure, and though I felt much inclined
My Brahmin friend, I saw dearly, began to be anxious
6 to rebel against his authority, he conducted me
' once more through the dark and' narrow pas-
' sages, and we reached the outer court just as a crowd
of Brahmins and dancing-girls were entering the great
gates. I hurried to my palanquin, being anxious to
put on my shoes ; for, though a very hot day, I felt
sid
groans chilled by standing so long on the marble pavement.
I inquired next day of my conductor whether I had
been
a mistaken w
epassed along th
in imagining I had heard shrieks
a and
said
I dirk passages.
I b ahad not,
the and that
community
he y were
inflicting
occasioned
penance
t somehei r b omdei en is
".
—Mrs. Major Clemons.

WOOLWICH, SEPT. 15.—ROYAL ARTIL•
LERY.—Lieutenant-General the Right Honourable Sir
George Murray, G.C.B. and G.C.H., the Master-General
of the Ordmanee, is expected to visit the Garrison at
Woolwich in the course of this or early next week, to be
introduc NI to the offi2ers of the Ro) al Artillery and Royal
Engi leas, and the heads of the departments in the Royal
Ar,enal on his appointment.
The Kingsto irn harbour lights are altered by
order of the Dublin Port Corporation, from the present
revolving light showing red and white lights alternately,
and seen at t„horter intervals of time. Another im-.
provenunt is the fixing a small red light on the west
pier bead.