Page:"Round the world." - Letters from Japan, China, India, and Egypt (IA roundworldletter00fogg 0).pdf/221

 peror and Viceroy of Oude, erected about ova hundred years ago. Liisa vast strect- ure, oceupying the center ef a large en» closure. Under the marble dome is an elegauily carved sarcophagus, but in aceord- suce with tha wish of the deceased the grave isin a-veulted chamber, beneath, of plain earth covered with a cloth, on which were strewn fresh flowers.

Eleven niiles from the city we reached ihe famons Hoontub Minar, which had been in sight for an hour before we reached it, aod jy said to be tha lofticss column in the world. Ifis builtof red sandutone almost as hard ag granite, in fivs sturies, marrow. ing gradually from fifty feer in diameter at the base to twelva feet at the tap. A pro- jzeting balcony, sepporied by heavy stone brackets, eeperates each etory, aud on haori- zontal bands extending around the tewer, are passazes of the Koran carved in bold relief, Tis present height istwo hundred aad forty-two feet, but it was originally sixty feet higher; the top cauopy baving been struck by lightning somo few yenrs ago. The Ksontub was built aboutseyen hundred years ago, end from the chana of legends and superstitious chronictes, it is difficult to tell the reai origin ofthis famous atructure. Que legend is that it was erected by the Rojsh of Prithie fer 9 favorite daughter who desired to possess s tower with ifs top nigh to heayea, from which she might offer up her prayers.

From the summit, to which we sseended by aspiral stene stairesce, 9 mios$ superb view of the ecrrounding country is obtained. Immediately below lia nicturieque ivy- covered ruins surrounding the tower, while scattered im miaszes for miles around ara reen the ruins of the old cities of Delhi.

Acjvining the Koontub sre extensiva Hindoo remaing that date beck to the ninth century. The open colonnades which onca surrounded the Beish’s palace azo go orna- mented with Covering that not an inch of plain surface can be seen. In front af a tell, wide-epanning afen, covered with creeping plants, stards 2 euxions pillar of wreught iron, sixteen inches in diameter and twenty: two feat in height above ground, and as much more in depth below the surface This pillar, as the Hindoos believe, was erected by the Rejah who bullt the Koon- tub, by advice of the Brahmine, as he dread: ed the fall of his dynasty, aud was aseured that if he could pierce the head of the snake god who supported the world his kingdom