Conjectures respecting these Caverns.

giant terrors, and of justice over oppression, 1805. though throned in the plenitude of its power. August. This appears the most certain clue to the explanation of the greatest part of the carved imagery; and exactly in this manner were the innumerable mythologic figures that crowd the walls of Ellora near Dowlatabad, explained to M. Anguetel by two Brahmins who attended him thither for the purpose of throwing some light upon this ob scure subject. Mr. Dalrymple clearly discovered "The effigies of great persons compelling their subjects to obedience; others executing justice; others, as he conceived, by the mildness of their aspect, shewing tenderness in their admonitions; and others again exhibiting instances of their proud prowess in arms.”

While virtue and science kindled at these examples ever present to their view, while devotion was animated by the awful presence of the deities they addressed, how ardent must have been the throb for distinction which the former felt; how energetic the ejaculations of the latter? Every tongue uttered the dictates of wisdom, and every heart bounded with the transports of religion.

A A

Johana or Hinzuan.

CHAP. XVI.

Sketch of Johana, Joanna, or Hinzuan.

By Sir William Jones and Major Rooke.

1805. THIS island is situated in south lat. 12° 30', east August. long. 44° 15', between the north end of Madagascar and the continent of Africa. It has been governed, about two centuries, by a colony of Arabs, and exhibits a curious instance of the slow approaches towards civilization, which are made by a small community, with many natural advantages. Of this African island, in which we hear the language and see the manners of Arabia, the following account has been written by Sir William Jones who visited it, on board the Crocodile frigate in 1783.

On anchoring in the bay, the frigate was soon surrounded by canoes, and the deck crowded with natives of all ranks, from the high born chief who washed linen, to the half naked slave who only paddled. Most of them had letters of recommendation from Englishmen, which none of them were able to read, though they spoke English intelligibly; and some appeared vain of titles, which our countrymen had given them in play, according to their supposed stations. We had, says Sir William Jones, lords, dukes, and princes on board, soliciting our custom, and importuning us for presents. In fact, they are too

Scenery of Hinzuan.

sensible to be proud of empty sounds, but justly 1805. imagined that these ridiculous titles would serve August. as marks of distinction, and by attracting notice, procure for them something more substantial. The appearance of the island from the bay of Hinzuan is thus described by Sir W. Jones: "We were at anchor in a bay, and before us was a vast amphitheatre, of which you may form a general notion, by picturing in your minds a multitude of hills, infinitely varied in size and figure, and then supposing them to be thrown together with a kind of artless symmetry in all imaginable positions. The back ground was a series of mountains, one of which is pointed, nearly half a mile perpendicularly high from the level of the sea, and little more than three miles from the shore; all of them richly clothed with wood, chiefly fruit-trees of an exquisite verdure. I had seen many mountains of a stupendous height in Wales and Switzerland, but never saw one before, round the bosom of which the clouds were almost continually rolling, while its green summit rose flourishing above them, and received from them an additional brightness.

"Next to this distant range of hills was another tier, part of which appeared charmingly verdant, and part rather barren; but the contrast of colours changed this nakedness into beauty: nearer still were innumerable mountains or rather cliffs, which brought down their verdure and fertility quite to the beach; so that every shade of green, the sweetest of colours, was displayed at one view by land and by water.

But nothing conduced more to the variety of this enchanting prospect, than the many rows

Scenery Houses of Hinzuan.

1805. of palm trees, especially the tall and graceful Augúst. arecas on the shores, in the vallies, and on the ridges of hills, where one might almost suppose them to be planted regularly by design. A more beautiful appearance can scarce be conceived, than such a number of elegant palms in such a situation, with luxuriant tops like verdant plumes, placed at just intervals, and shewing between them part of the remoter landscape, while they left the rest to be supplied by the beholder's imagination. Neither the territory of Nice, with its olives, date trees, and cypresses, nor the isles of Hieres, with their delightful orange groves, appeared so charming to me as the view from the road of Hinzuam." This island has also been described by Major Rooke, who observes, that it is a proper place of refreshment for the India ships, whose crews, when ill of the scurvy, soon recover by the use of limes, lemons, and oranges, and from the air of the land.

The town where the king resides is at the east side of the island; and though it is three quarters of a mile in length, it does not contain above 200 houses. This town is close to the sea, at the foot of a very high hill; the houses are enclosed either by high stone walls, or palings made with a sort of reed; and the streets are little narrow alleys, extremely intricate, and forming a perfect labyrinth. The better kind of houses are built of stone, within a court-yard, have a kind of portico to shield them from the sun, and one lofty room where they receive guests; the other apartments being sacred to the women. The sides of the rooms are covered

Inhabitants of Johana.

with a number of small mirrors, bits of China- 1805. wáre, and other little ornaments that they pro- August. cure from the ships: the most superb of them are furnished with cane sofas covered with chintz and satin mattresses, The horned cattle are a kind of buffalo, having a large hump on their shoulders, which is very delicious eating; but there is not one horse, mule, or ass, in all the island. The original natives, about 7,000 in number, occupy the hills, and are generally at war with the Arabian interlopers, who established themselves on the sea coast by conquest, and are about 3,000 in number. Though Joanna is not the largest, yet it may be considered as the principal of the Comora isles. It claims sovereignty over, and exacts tribute from the others; these pretensions, however, it is obliged sometimes to exact by the sword; and when Major Rooke was here, they were preparing an expedition against Mayotta, which was in a state of rebellion. The natives, on being asked the cause of their going to war with those people, answered, Mayotta like America." They get their supplies of arms and ammunition from the ships that touch here; and it is customary for all to make presents of arms and powder to the prince when he pays a visit on board, which he does to every one.

They have a regular form of government, and exercise the Mahometan religion; both being introduced by the Arabians. The colour of these two races of men is very different: the Arabs not having so deep a tinge as the others, being of a copper complexion, with better features, and a more animated countenance. They consider a