324
EAST INDIA HOUSE.
Letter XX.
been so desirous as the English to honour the memory of its
illustrious men. In this instance we again see the ardent national
feeling, in which they surpass all other people.
OBJECTS OF AET CONTAINED IN THE EAST INDIA HOUSE.
I regret not to be able to give such a description of the remark-
able objects of art preserved in this building as they fully merit.
For though I inspected them under the most favourable circum-
stances, being conducted round by Professor Wilson, the well-
known Oriental scholar, to whom I was introduced by my friend
Professor Muller, of Oxford, yet the objects were too various and
numerous to permit of any thorough examination. Nor had I time
to profit by Professor Wilson's kind invitation to repeat the .visit.
Considering the mighty empire that is governed from this house,
the building itself is, both in size and architecture, of a very
modest description.
The specimens of Indian sculpture are very numerous, but, with
few exceptions, on a small scale. Some are in bronze, others in
black stone, but most are in white stone. The latter are partially
gilt; others entirely so. Among those in bronze are some of most
admirable execution. The representations of Buddha are par-
ticularly frequent. Smaller idols in gold and silver also occur.
The collection of coins is especially rich and interesting.
Among the weapons, for example the sabres, are many, like
that of Tippoo Saib, which are remarkable for costliness and taste
of ornament, A pair of gloves, in particular, executed in Lahore,
are very remarkable.
Among the pictures may be mentioned, first, a number of copies
of large pictures, of a frieze-like form, executed by an English
officer by commission from the Company, from wall-paintings
found in India. They represent chiefly highly dramatic scenes,
hunts, battles, &c, and are of very animated, and, in some cases,
of happy motives. As regards drawing, modelling, and colour,
they are of very low grade, with a rudeness of execution which, to
all appearance, is not to be laid to the charge of the copyist. As
there was no room for placing these pictures, they were taken out
one after the other for my inspection—a trouble which I very
much regretted giving.
EAST INDIA HOUSE.
Letter XX.
been so desirous as the English to honour the memory of its
illustrious men. In this instance we again see the ardent national
feeling, in which they surpass all other people.
OBJECTS OF AET CONTAINED IN THE EAST INDIA HOUSE.
I regret not to be able to give such a description of the remark-
able objects of art preserved in this building as they fully merit.
For though I inspected them under the most favourable circum-
stances, being conducted round by Professor Wilson, the well-
known Oriental scholar, to whom I was introduced by my friend
Professor Muller, of Oxford, yet the objects were too various and
numerous to permit of any thorough examination. Nor had I time
to profit by Professor Wilson's kind invitation to repeat the .visit.
Considering the mighty empire that is governed from this house,
the building itself is, both in size and architecture, of a very
modest description.
The specimens of Indian sculpture are very numerous, but, with
few exceptions, on a small scale. Some are in bronze, others in
black stone, but most are in white stone. The latter are partially
gilt; others entirely so. Among those in bronze are some of most
admirable execution. The representations of Buddha are par-
ticularly frequent. Smaller idols in gold and silver also occur.
The collection of coins is especially rich and interesting.
Among the weapons, for example the sabres, are many, like
that of Tippoo Saib, which are remarkable for costliness and taste
of ornament, A pair of gloves, in particular, executed in Lahore,
are very remarkable.
Among the pictures may be mentioned, first, a number of copies
of large pictures, of a frieze-like form, executed by an English
officer by commission from the Company, from wall-paintings
found in India. They represent chiefly highly dramatic scenes,
hunts, battles, &c, and are of very animated, and, in some cases,
of happy motives. As regards drawing, modelling, and colour,
they are of very low grade, with a rudeness of execution which, to
all appearance, is not to be laid to the charge of the copyist. As
there was no room for placing these pictures, they were taken out
one after the other for my inspection—a trouble which I very
much regretted giving.