Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1873-02-20
A Wonderful Temple.

Mrs. YELvERToN, who is travelling in
Asia, in "a Journey in junk" de-
scribes in the Overland Monthly a remark.
able Buddhist temple in Cochin China
We give brief extract only, which is a
vivid picture of Asiatic art and manners.
The Temple, or Pagoda, or Wat of Ang,
kor, is built in the form of triangle,
covering a square mile of ground. A
massive wall, with outbuildings and four
splendid entrance halls, form the first
square. Within is a lake. The second
quadrangle is q raised terrace, formed of
solid blocks Of stone, fitted together on
the model of the Via Appia, of Rome. A
massive and richly-carved balustrade pro
tects this terraced walk, and bridges the
lake on each side. The terrace, which is
now considerably dilapidated, is 500 feet
on each side. In front it has a magnif,
cent building in the form of a vestibule or
gallery, 600 feet long, with three domes or
cupolas, and grand entrance hall. The
whole is sculptured infinitely, and the
delicate precision of the lines and angles
of the pilasters and gateways gives per
feet symmetry. The steps up to this
gateway are f1anked on either side with
colossal lions, their names so carved as to
put me in mind of Lord Chancellors
wigs.
Inside this square have been magnifi.
cent gardens and fish ponds. Four de-
tached houses, all in the same style, had
probably been the residences of priests OF
the temple. All is in solid stone, with
out particle of wood or iron. i he third
square is of 600 feet side. It rises SUI
perbly from the elevation of the terrace,
with eight towers about $50 feet above its
basement level. To give an idea of the
architecture is difficult, as it follows no
recognized order. The towers are all
formed in projecting leaves, like pine.
apple, having the shape of bishops
mitre. All the roofs are domed, and made
of solid stone; ali the doorways are square,
and surrounded with elaborate headings
exceedingly chaste. The windows are
richly mullioned-of course, without
glass. The structure is surrounded by a
double row of square columns or pillars
with ornamental capitals and pedestals,
and the surface carved with the figure of
woman, finely attired in quantity of
iewelry, and skirt which must have rep
resented silk, as it is broche with pat
tern such as ladies wear at the present
day. The skirt is trimmed with fringe
and braiding, and is gored; the dress has
no bodice, and the person remains un-
covered, save for a deep necklace
which descends upon the arm
lets, bracelets and anklets of jew,
els and gold. But the scantiness of
the dress is compensated for by the head.
dress, which towers in strange, fantastic
shape, as high again as the head-square
on the. forehead, like the Golf of Mary
Stuart. The face is round, the features
short, the eyes large and soft, quite differ
ent from the Chinese The figures are
round and graceful, but lack the develop.
ment of muscle in the arms and legs
There must have been thousands of these
for this building alone was surrounded by
4S0 detached pillars, each holding two
figures. The interior of this colonnade
was a picture gallery wrought in stone
or black marble, of historical events
| representing great battles, with 3O0,0 0(
men engaged, each regiment consisting Of
1,000-the numerical strength of the pres
ent day-each regiment bearing differ
ent insignia. The arms were javelins
arrows, and sort of truncheon o.
battle axe The men fought or
| foot, the chiefs On horseback-tht
horses are remarkably well drawn, anC
the riders have capital seats, but no stir
rups-in chariots and on elephants, tn,
latter dashing among the troops anC
whirling them in the air. The day afte
the victory, women and children wer,
led captive with the prisoners The tor
lures inflicted on the conquered wer'
terrible; and although tried several time
TO examine them, it made me quite sicl
each time, and 1 therefore spare N,
readers the description.
THE Mayor of country town, conceiv
ing that the word "clause" was in tn
plural number, would often talk Of
"claw'' in an act of the Legislature.