animal on which he is supposed to ride, and also a ride,—and miniature fountain. On either side of the inner shrine is a statue of a woman, one being called Siddhi, and the other, Buddhi. In this neighbourhood there is, likewise, an imposing temple, erected a few years ago by the Raja of Ahmety.

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Near to Manikarniká ghát are Sindhia ghát and the Raja of Nagpore's ghát, the former of which is remarkable not only for the massiveness of its masonry, but also for the circumstance that the entire structure has sunk several feet into the earth since its erection, and is still gradually and slowly sinking. The ghát consists of three rows of low towers or turrets. The uppermost row is of two turrets, one at each extremity, which are the largest of the whole and are exceedingly massive. The second lower down has six turrets; and the third, five. These turrets are called marhis by the natives, and are used, by them, for sitting upon in the cool of the day, or for retiring to after bathing in the Ganges. They are of stone, and are connected together by walls and stairs of the same material. Before the ghát could be completed, the masonry began to sink; and, on one occasion, so violent was the motion, that a loud report like the discharge of cannon was heard. A temple to the left of the south turret is rent from the summit to the base; and the entire building is so dilapidated, that it looks as if it had been shaken by an earthquake. The ghát itself, and also the stairs leading up to the top of the huge breastwork uniting the two largest turrets, exhibit an immense rent, which is carried down to the very base of the ghát. The breastwork, likewise, to

gether with the turrets, is out of the perpendicular, and has a remarkable appearance. In some places the stones are more than two feet apart. The people residing in the neighbourhood say, that the ghát has sunk some ten or twelve feet in all, and that, inasmuch as stair after stair continually, though slowly, vanishes, they know that the subsidence is still going on. The ghát was built by Baija Bai, the same lady who erected the colonnade round the Gyán Bápí well; but it is not yet completed, and there is no hope that it ever will be.

The temple of Briddhkál, situated on the northern side of the city, is interesting, both for its antiquity and extent, as well as for the singular legends connected with its primitive history. It formerly possessed twelve separate courts or quadrangles; but now only seven are in existence, and several of these are fast falling into ruin. Indeed, the aspect of the entire building is that of decay. The site of the other five courts, and of the gardens once attached to the temple, is occupied by dwelling-houses. When this shrine was in its glory, it must have been a place of some magnificence. The pile of buildings now standing has a hoary appearance, the effect of which is greatly increased by its ruinous condition. The tradition respecting the origin of the temple is, that, in the Satjug, an old Raja in ill-health visited Benares, and there diligently performed ascetic rites, and religious ceremonies. The god Mahadeva was so gratified with the piety of the old man, that he not only healed his sickness, but also caused him to become young again. In honour of this deity, therefore, the Raja erected the present

temple, and gave it the name of Briddhkál, a corruption of two Sanskrit words, 'briddha,' or more properly, 'vriddha,' and 'kála,' the former meaning old, and the latter, fate. Mahadeva endowed it with two remarkable properties; the one, that of healing disease, and the other, that of prolonging life. The temple is one of the oldest in the city, and stands on the boundary of Benares Proper,-indisputably the most ancient portion of the existing city, where it unites itself with Káśí, a less ancient portion.

On ascending the steps, and traversing the passage running from the doorway to the inner part of the edifice, we are met by a red figure of Mahábír, the monkey-god, standing within a shrine at the corner of a court into which the passage leads. Close by, to the right, is a small temple dedicated to the goddess Kálí, a small black deity cut out of stone, dressed in a red garment, with a garland of flowers hanging from the neck. In front of her is a hollow space, in the form of a square, for the residence of Mahádeva; and outside of it is a bull, for the god to ride on.

To the right of Kálí, leaning against the wall, are figures of Ganeś and Párvatí; and to the left of the latter are images representing Bhairo, the Sun, Hanumán, and Lakshmínáráyan or Vishnu, and his wife Lakshmí. Immediately opposite to the temple of Kálí are two wells. The first is shallow, and contains putrid water, whose disgusting fetor fills the entire court. Into this well sick persons, and those wishing for long life, plunge their bodies. The former also take various medicines, and resort to other useful means for regaining