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1690.

Chapels, Columns, Pyramids and other Buildings of different forms. They are separated by a Canal, and are each enclos'd with a fine wall. To avoid entring into tedious particulars, I have given the Plan of those Squares,

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FIG. 15. A view of a temple of the Siamites, with its several bended roofs.

together with some of the chief buildings, at large. (Figs. 14-23.) In the first Square occurs the Temple of Berklam, as it is call'd, mark'd with Lit. A. from which the whole place hath taken its name, and is become particularly famous. Its Structure in general is exquisitely

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A

FIG. 14.-1. ornaments, whereir pyramid; D, a wo large and smaller I 4, an open house v Berklam's temple. temple in Berklam'

fine, but particularly the Gate at the great Entry is a piece of admirable workmanship compos'd of carven Images and branched work, or foliage. The Architecture resembles that of the Temple near Pka'thon, the above

1690.

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FIG. 16. The front of the said temple represented more at large.

describ'd famous Pyramid, both which are represented in Figs. 15, 16. The middle of the Temple is for ornament's sake cover'd with four roofs, that are bent, and lie one over another. The lowermost of those roofs jets

1690.

out on each side of the Temple like a wing which is supported by eight columns. The inside is like all other Temples pretty dark, there being no windows, so that all the light can come in only through the door and some holes in the wall. The Porch is rais'd above the ground, and cover'd with several roofs, which are supported by eight Columns with gilt Capitals standing in two rows. The outer row of Columns is join'd together by a red Lettice or Grate, before the frontispiece of the Temple, to preserve the precious doors in it. There are three folding pair of doors in this frontispiece, each pair consisting of two valves, which are very nicely and skilfully carv'd into three Layers of branches twisted together, and adorn'd with leaves and flowers, among which appear several small Images of their Idols of different forms and postures, some of them having four arms and hands holding divers Weapons and Instruments, the whole well proportion'd and adorn'd with gold and different colours. Next to the Temple stands a small open house mark'd with Lit. a, in the midst of which hangs a bell gilt over, of two yards diameter, which they strike with a hammer in the mornings and evenings to call the Monks to their prayers and devotions which they perform singing in choirs with a trembling voice, as the Monks in Europe sing Psalms. (Fig. 17.)

Lit. B. is another temple like the former, only without so many ornaments. The porch of it consists of two open rooms adorn'd with Plaister-work and gilt small Idols. The Floor was cover'd with heaps of large palm-leaves, being the remains of their Pali, or religious Books, which when they grow old and worn out, are here laid aside in this manner, as in a sacred place. In viewing these Temples I took notice, as of something particular, that I met with no images of beasts, and Idols of a monstrous figure, as the Brahmines and Chinese have in theirs, for all their idols within the Temples are represented in human shape, either sitting, or standing, tho' without them, as for instance on the gates, entries, pyramids, particularly in

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