The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1869-06-04
LITHRATURn.
BEVIEW or VIEW looks


ment to Sir Samuel w. Bakers Rifle and
Hound in Ceylon,' which was noticed Pn
these columns some time ago Having IN
that work treated very fully of the sports of
Ceylon. in the present book he has but little
To saw on the subject, but gives an animated
descrintion of the beautiful island, its people,
customs. scenery and remarkable ruins. Sir
Samuel w. Baker is an enthusiastic traveller
as well as a sportsmen, and he writes in a
graphic and forcible style that engages the
whole attention of the reader. The record of
his eight years wanderings in Ceolon contains
much interesting and curious information.
We give the following description of the
ancient city of Pollanarua:-
"The remains of these cities sufficiently attest
the former amount of population and the COM
pa rative civilization which existed at that re-
mote era among the progenltors of the present
degraded race of barbarians. The ruins of
'Anaradupoora, which cover two hundred and
fifty. six square miles of ground, are all that re-
main of the noble city which stood within its
walls in square of sixteen miles. Some idea
of the amount of population may be arrived at,
when we consider the present density of inhabi-
tants in all Indian houses and towns. Millions
must, therefore, have streamed from the gates
of a city to which our modern London was COM
paTativey village.
all the ancient cities of CeylOn which renders n
description tedious. Those of 'Anaradupoora'
are the largest in extent, and the buildings ap-
pear to have been more lofty, the great Dagoba
having exceeded four hundred feet in height;
but the ruins do not exhibit the same finish in
the style of architecture which is seen in the
remains of other towns.
Among these, Topare,' anciently called the
Pollanarua,' stands foremost This city ap
pears to have been laid out with degree of
taste which would have done credit to our
modern towns.
Before its principal gate stretched a beautiful
lake of about fifteen miles circumference (now
only nine). The approach to this gate by
broad road, upon the top of n stone causeway, of
between two and three miles in length which
formed massive dam to the waters of the lake
which washed its base. To the right of this dam
stretched many miles of cultivation; to the left
on the farther shores of the lake, lay parll-like
grass-ands studded with forest trees, some of
whose mighty descendants still exist i'm the noble
'tamarind rising above all others. Let us return
in imagination to Pollanarua as it once stood
Having arrived upon the causeway in the APP
proach to the city, the scene must have been
beautiful in the eXtreme-the silvery lake, like
a broad mirror, in the midst of tropical park;
the Towering trees shadowing its waters; the
groves of tamarinds sheltering its many hooks
and bays; the gorgeous blossoms of the pink
lotus resting on its CLASSY surface; and the car
pet-like gades of verdant pasturage, stretching
Tar away upon the opposite shores, covered with
countless elephants, tanned to complete obe-
dience Then on the right, below the massive
granite steps which form the causeway, the
water rushing from the sluice carries fertility
among thousand fields, and countless laborers
and cattle till the ground: the sturdy buffaloes
straining at the plough, the women, laden with
golden sheaves of corn and baskets of fruit,
crowding along the palm-shaded road winding
towards the city, from whose gate a countless
thrOng are passing and returning. Behold the
mighty city! rising like a snow-white cloud from
the broad margin of the waters The groves of
pnpOanntS n
the inner gardens throwing a cool shade upon
the polished walls; the lofty palaces towering
among the stately areca trees and the gilded
domes rejecting blaze OF light from the rays
of midday sun. Such let us suppose the eX
terror of Pollanarua.
''The gates are entered, and broad street.
straight as an arrow, lies before us, shaded on
either side by rows of palms. Here stand, on
either hand the dwellings of the principal in
habitants, bordering the wide space, which con-
tinues its straight and shady course for aoout
four miles in length. In the centre, standing
in spacious circle, rises the great Dagoba
forming a grand coup d8il, from the entrance
gate. Two hundred and sixty feet from the base
the Dagoba rears its lofty summit. Two circular
terraces, each OF some twenty feet in height
rising one upon the other, with width of fifty
feet, and diameter at the base of about two hun
dred and fifty, form the step-like platform upon
whichlthe DagOba stands. These are assembled by
broad flights of steps, each terrace forming a
circular promenade around the Dagoba; the
whole having the appearance of white marble,
being covered with polished stucco ornamented
with figures in bas-reef The DagOba is solid
mass of brickwork in the shape of dome,
which rises from the upper terrace. The whole
is covered with polished stucco, and surmounted
by gilded spire standing upon a square pedestal
of stueco. highly ornamented with large figures
also in basrelief; this pedestal is cube of about
thirty feet supporting the tall gilded spire,
which is surmounted by golden umbrella.
"ArOund the base of the Dagoba on the upper
terrace are eight small entrances with highly
OTnamented eXteriors. These are the doors to
square. in each of which is small altar and
carved golden idol.
''This Dagoba forms the main entrance of the
city, from which streets branch off in all direc-
tions, radiating from the circular space in which
it stands
"The main street from the entrance-gate con-
tnues to the further extremity of the city, being
crossed at right angles in the centre by similar
street, thus forming two great main streets
through the city, terminating in four great gates
or entrances to the town-north, south, east,
and west.
Continuing along the main street from the
great Dagoba for about mile, we face another
Dagoba of similar appearance, but of smaller
dimensions. also standing a spacious circle.
Near this rises the kings palace, noble build
ing of great height edged at the corner by
narrow octagon towers.
'At the further extremity Of this main street.
close TO the opposite entrance-gate, is the rock
temple, with the massive idols of Buddha flank
ing the entrance.
f'This, from the form and position of the
existing ruins, we may conceive to have been
the appearance of Polanarua in its days of
prosperity. But what remains of its grandeur ?
h has vanished like a tale that is told;' il is
passed away like a, dream; the palaces are dust;
the grassy sod has grown in mounds over the
ruins of streets and fallen houses; nature has