from a large recess filled with a variety of figures of both sexes in different attitudes. There is one conspicuous female figure, single-breasted, like the Amazons; the rest, whether they represent mortals or immortals, are commonly arrayed in the ornaments worn by the modern Hindoos. The spaces between the larger figures are occupied by small aërial beings, which hover about them in infinite variety. In a recess of this temple, there is one piece of sculpture, executed with remarkable beauty and spirit. It is a colossal statue, fourteen feet high, and represents the Siva Vindex of the Hindoo pantheon. It is much mutilated, the whole of the lower extremities having been broken away; and of the eight arms with which it was originally provided, several are now broken. Enough, however, of this gigantic personage remains to convey an idea of the sculpture, which is very fine. The countenance expresses terrible ferocity, blended with a certain degree of majesty, which serves to convey the idea, that, though the wrath there bodied forth be unrelenting, it is that of a deity, not the vulgar and brutal passion of a mortal. There are many other figures, some of equal size, and some less; and all, whether single or in groups, have a reference to the mythology of the Brahmins, whilst the caverns of Canara or Kennery are unequivocally Buddhist temples. This temple,' says Mr Moore, in his Hindoo Pantheon, may be called a complete pantheon; for among the hundreds, I may say thousands, of figures there sculptured, every principal deity is found. Many deified heroes in the more modern mythological romances, contained in some of the Puranas and Tantras, will have been exalted since the excavation of this wonderful cavern; but I strongly believe that all the gods of the Vedas (sacred writings of the Hindoos), or, if I may so term them, all the legitimate Hindoo deities, will be found in its different compartments, if not indeed too much defaced for recognition.'

On the right and left, passages lead off to smaller excavations, containing sculptures, baths, &c.; and in one of the apartments is a colossal representation of the

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lingam. With regard to the impression made upon the mind of a spectator on visiting these caves, the words of Bishop Heber, a man of refined tastes and elegant accomplishments, may be quoted:-Though my expectations were highly raised,' says that learned dignitary, the reality much exceeded them, and that both the dimensions, the proportions, and the sculpture, seemed to me to be of a more noble character, and a more elegant execution, than I had been led to suppose. Even the statues are executed with great spirit, and are, some of them, of no common beauty, considering their dilapidated condition, and the coarseness of their material.' Another writer observes, regarding these extraordinary works of human skill and perseverance:-"The Elephanta caves, especially, cause admiration, when we contemplate the immensity of the undertaking, the number of artificers employed, and the extraordinary genius of its first projector, in a country until lately accounted rude and barbarous by the now enlightened nations of Europe. It is a work which would be admired by the curious, had it been raised from a foundation like other structures; but when we consider that it is hewn inch by inch in the hard and solid rock, we cannot but be astonished at the conception and completion of the undertaking.'

Writers are not at all agreed upon the antiquity of these excavations, and, in the absence of anything like positive proof, a degree of uncertainty must attach to all conjectures regarding the period at which they were executed. Bishop Heber is opposed to the more generally received opinion of their high antiquity, and urges in support of his views, amongst other arguments, the following:-That the rock out of which the temple is carved, is by no means calculated to resist, for any great length of time, the influence of the elements; and that decomposition has rapidly increased within the memory of man; but this is evidently an erroneous view of the matter, for if the mouldering is so rapid as to be perceptible by persons now living, the whole structure would have been one heap of ruins long before the lapse of half

the number of ages which the learned prelate admits it most probably to have existed.

There can be little doubt but these caves were appropriated to religious purposes (the pure Hindoo religion and mythology it seems almost certain); and as they are the most magnificent to be found in the country, we are entitled to trace their origin to that period of Hindoo history when that people had arrived at their highest pitch of prosperity, and their religious ceremonies were conducted on the most splendid scale, and in the most magnificent edifices. We are by no means to suppose that, in the decline of national prosperity, and consequently of religious observances, such a Herculean labour as the execution of Elephanta would have been undertaken; nor is it likely, on the other hand, that it was elaborated from the solid rock, before the national prosperity had reached at least a very high degree of perfection, else we might look for still more remarkable instances of their industry, taste, and religious zeal, which, however, are not to be found. But all authentic records of the ancient history of this part of India have perished, and the poems and histories which at present exist, and generally relate the occurrences of remote antiquity, are a tissue of incredible fables. This, the only other means of determining the question, being denied us, plausible conjecture alone can be advanced; and it is, that these works were executed between three and four thousand years ago.

MR BIANCONI'S CARS.

FEW men have been so useful in their day as Mr Bianconi of Clonmel. This gentleman, whose successful enterprise affords an apt instance of what may be accomplished by well-directed perseverance, is a native of Milan, and from being one of the poorest, is now one of the wealthiest men

in Ireland. Having come to Ireland about thirty years ago, in some humble mercantile capacity, he quickly perceived the advantages, public and private, which might be gained by establishing stage- cars on various roads throughout that country, and began by attempting to run one from Clonmel to Cahir. The experiment was at first discouraging, few or no passengers supporting it; but the plan ultimately triumphed, beyond the most sanguine expectations which could have been formed of such an undertaking.

At the meeting of the British Association at Cork, Statistical Section, Mr Bianconi was called on to read a paper on the subject of his establishment, which he did as follows:

'Up to the year 1815, the public accommodation for the conveyance of passengers in Ireland was confined to a few mail and day coaches on the great lines of road. From my peculiar position in the country, I had ample opportunities of reflecting on many things, and nothing struck me more forcibly than the great vacuum that existed in travelling accommodation between the different orders of society. The inconvenience felt for the want of a more extended means of intercourse, particularly from the interior of the country to the different markettowns, gave great advantage to a few at the expense of the many, and, above all, occasioned a great loss of time; for instance, a farmer living twenty or thirty miles from his market-town, spent the day in riding to it, a second day doing his business, and a third day returning. In July 1815, I started a car for the conveyance of passengers from Clonmel to Cahir, which I subsequently extended to Tipperary and Limerick. At the end of the same year, I started similar cars from Clonmel to Cashel and Thurles, and from Clonmel to Carrick and Waterford; and I have since extended this establishment so as to include the most isolated localities-namely, from Longford to Ballina and Bellmullet, which is 201 miles northwest of Dublin; from Athlone to Galway and Clifden, 183 miles due west of Dublin; from Limerick to Tralee

and Cahirciveen, 233 miles south-west of Dublin; and numbering 110 vehicles, including mail-coaches and different sized cars capable of carrying from four to twenty passengers each, and travelling eight to nine miles per hour, at an average fare of one penny farthing per mile for each passenger, and performing daily 3800 miles, passing through more than 140 stations for the change of horses; consuming 3000 to 4000 tons of hay, and from 30,000 to 40,000 barrels of oats annually; all of which are purchased in their respective localities. These vehicles do not travel on Sundays, unless such portions of them as are in connection with the post-office or canals, for the following reasons :-First, the Irish, being a religious people, will not travel on business on Sundays; and secondly, experience teaches me, that I can work a horse eight miles per day, for six days in the week, much better than I can six miles for seven days. The advantages derived by the country from this establishment are almost incalculable for instance, the farmer who formerly rode and spent three days in making his market, can now do so in one, for a few shillings; thereby saving two clear days, and the expense and use of his horse. The example of this institution has been generally followed; and cars innumerable leave the interior for the principal towns in the south of Ireland, which bring parties to and from markets at an enormous saving of time, and, in many instances, cheaper than they could walk it. This establishment has now been in existence twenty-eight years, travelling with its mails at all hours of the day and night, and never met any interruption in the performance of its arduous duties. Much surprise has often been expressed at the high order of men connected with it, and at its popularity; but parties thus expressing themselves forget to look at Irish society with sufficient grasp. For my part, I cannot better compare it than to a man emerging into convalescence from a serious attack of malignant fever, and requiring generous and nutritive diet in place of medical treatment. Thus I act with my drivers, who are taken from the lowest grade of the establishment,