two quadrangular terraces, the lowermost of which is raised about ten feet above the natural level of the ground, and the uppermost is about twenty feet above the other. The walls that sustain the sides of these terraces were formerly covered with plaster, wrought into a variety of figures; but they are now sadly dilapidated, and the area of the lower terrace is strewed with fragments of small decayed buildings.

The terraces are ascended by some broken flights of stone steps, which appear to have been Jong neglected. On each side are the houses of the rahaans, or priests, raised on wooden pillars, four or five feet from the ground, and covered with tiles.

About six feet from the ground there is a wide ledge surrounding the base of the Shoemadoo, on the plane of which are fifty-seven small spires' of equal size and equidistant. One of these is said to measure twenty-seven feet in height, and forty in circumference at the bottom. And on a higher ledge there is another row consisting of fifty-three spires, of similar shape and dimensions. Various mouldings encircle the building, and ornaments somewhat like a fleur de lis, surround what may be properly termed the base of the spire. Circular mouldings, also, gird this part to a considerable. height; then appear some ornaments in stucco, like the leaves of a Corinthian capital; and the whole is crowned with a tee or umbrella of open iron-work, from which rise an iron rod and gilded pennant. Round the lower rim of the tee are

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The tee or umbrella is an indispensible appendage to every Hindoo building that is of a spiral form; and the consecration of it is equally famous as an act of religious solemnity, and a season of general festivity.

appended a number of bells of different sizes, which, being agitated by the wind, make a perpetual jingling.

The height of the building from the level of the country is about three hundred and sixty-one feet, and above the uppermost terrace three hundred and thirty-one feet. On the south-east angle of the interior terrace there are two handsome keouns, or saloons, recently erected by order of the king of the Birmans, who from motives of policy has also resolved to preserve and embellish the pagoda of Shoemadoo. The length of each saloon is said to be about sixty feet, and the breadth thirty; the cielings are gilded; and the carving on the outside is very curious.

At each angle of the uppermost terrace is a pyramidal pagoda, about sixty-seven feet high, and forming a miniature resemblance of the great pagoda. In front of one of these are four gigantic figures of Palloo, or the man-destroyer, half hu man and half beast, seated on their hams, and each holding a large club on their right shoulder. These are guardians of the temple, and are said to re semble the Rakuss of the Hindoos.

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About the centre of the east face of the area are two human figures in stucco, one of whom represented standing with a book before him, and a pen in his hand, is called Thagiamee, the recorder of mortal merits and misdeeds; and the other, who appears in a kneeling posture, is named Maha Sumdee, or the protectress of the universe.

A small brick edifice, near the north-east angle, contains an upright marble slab, about four feet high and three wide, on which is inscribed a long account of the donations of pilgrims. And along the north-side of the terrace there is a wooden

shed for the accommodation of those devotees who come from a considerable distance to offer up their prayers at Shoemadoo Praw.

On the north side of the great pagoda are three large bells suspended near the ground, and several deer's horns are strewed around, that those who come to perform their devotions may take up a horn and strike one of the bells three times, giving an alternate stroke to the ground. This curious act, it seems, is to announce to the spirit of Gaudma the approach of a supplicant. Several low benches are placed near the bottom of the pagoda, on which the devotees place their offerings, which usually consist of cocoa nut fried in oil, boiled rice, or a plate of sweetmeats: but it is a curious fact, that when it is thus offered, the donor pays so little regard to it, that he frequently suffers it to be devoured before his face by crows, dogs, or other animals.

On both the terraces are displayed a number of white cylindrical flags, made of long stripes of white cloth, sewed together at the sides, and extended by hooks of thin bamboo. These are used exclusively by the priests, being considered as emblematic of purity, and the sacred function. The top of each staff is commonly adorned with the figures of a goose, as that bird is the symbol both of the Birman and Pegu nations.

Captain Symes, from whom we have borrowed the substance of the preceding account, paid a visit to the superior Rahaan of Pegu, who told him, that in the convulsions of the Pegu empire most of their valuable records had been destroyed; but it was traditionally believed, that the temple of Shoemadoo was founded about two thousand three hundred years ago by two brothers, 'mer

chants, who came to Pegu from Talowmeou one day's journey east of Martaban. These pious traders raised a pagoda of one Birman * cubit in height: but Sigeamee, or the spirit that presides over the elements, in the space of one night, increased the height of the pagoda to two cubits. The merchants, then added another cubit, which Sigeamee likewise doubled in the same short time. The building thus attained the magnitude of twelve cubits when the merchants desisted. But it was afterwards gradually increased by successive monarchs; the register of whose names, and the amount of their contributions had been lost in the general calamities.

Every reader must necessarily perceive that the former part of this account is enveloped in a cloud of fable; and Mr. Symes laments that more authentic documents were not to be procured. The antiquity of Shoemadoo, however, is certainly indubitable; and whether we consider its singular construction or extraordinary magnitude it may justly be ranked among the most curious specimens of oriental architecture.

The pagodas of Deogur, according to Mr. Hodges, exhibit an interesting specimen of the earliest stages of Hindoo architecture; being simple pyramids, formed by piling one massy stone upon another to a prodigious height. They are without any light within, except what is admitted through a small door scarcely five feet high. In the centre of each of these buildings is a dark chamber, lighted by one solitary lamp, where the rites of the Hindoo religion are performed. The

• Twenty inches and a half.