of Sanchi; he says: "It does seem strange that a god who everywhere else is worshipped should here be represented as worshipping, and not a human or celestial god, but a tree. It is evident we are still far removed from the supremacy which the serpent afterwards assumed at Amravati."

The tope of Sanchi is situated about three hun dred feet above Sanchi, at the top of a sandstone hill, and is a striking object in the view from all points while at considerable distance.

The sculptures demand a few words; though, presuming that many of our readers would tire of the subject far sooner than we, we shall not attempt as full a description as we should prefer. It must not be forgotten that the latest date assigned to these really marvelous sculptures, is about A.D. 50. With this fact in mind, none can question Mr. Morden's remark that these gates are "wonderful, even in that land of wonders, for their elaborate sculptures."

First, then, the reader must understand

that these sculptured pictures are not mere fancy productions, but are, in every minute detail, representations of the Tree and Dagoba worship of the Buddhists, and of certain ideas subordinate to that of worship.

Each of the two pillars is fully decorated on the front and on either side, while the back, being partly hidden by the

BEE railing and not so con

spicuous in itself as the front and sides, contains but a single

life are the most essential features; water with water-plants, aquatic fowls and fish have their spaces, and the rude boat of the Dasyu caste appears to be contrasted with the more artistic, finished barge of the Hindoo. On the front of the right-hand pillar, we have a remarkable relief in four parts representing scenes in the life of Sákya Muni-the lower part portrays him as Prince Siddhârtha, doffing his robes of state for those of an ascetic, that he may devote himself to his great mission, and the upper part represents the "annunciation of Buddha," the crowning reward of his fifty-one years of labor and self-denial, while the two intervening parts evidently refer to him. and his career, though they are not so readily understood by the uninitiated. One panel of the inner side of this pillar gives a grand representation of a regular Chiaitya, or Tope of the first class, the sacred Dagoba, with its two eyes symbol. The corresponding panel of the lefthand pillar gives an equally grand representation of the Sacred Tree.

It is worthy of note that of the right-hand or "Dagoba" pillar, the top panel of the lower part, delineates the worship of the Sacred Tree, while the corresponding panel of the left-hand or "Sacred Tree" pillar depicts the worship of the Sacred Dagoba-thus apparently seeking to teach that the worship of the Tree was not prejudicial or antagonistic to that of the Dagoba, nor that of the latter to the former.

The outside surface of each pillar is decorated with architectural ornaments consisting of lotus flowers, etc.; running through those on the left hand pillar is a scroll which issues from the mouth of a crocodile at the base.

Above the grand elephant groups which cap the lower or main portion of each pillar, the two panels are found between the lintels; then at the top of each pillar there was the Trioul, which is supposed, according to Fergusson, to contain the symbols of the five elements of the material universe-earth, water, fire, wind and ether, represented primarily by the square, circle, triangle, crescent and cone. Between these, resting on the

A PORTION OF THE UPPER LINTEL-BACK.

centre of the upper lintel, was the Chakra, or wheel, which some say symbolized the law; though others claim that it represented Dharma, the second of the Buddhist Triad.

The Elephant groups, for perfect truth to life, cannot be excelled by the most expert mastersculptors of the present century; the form, the texture of the body, the grace of the limbs, the pendulous, but perfectly flexible and delicately prehensile characteristics of the trunk-the posi tive perfection of the whole is not only marvelous, but defies any attempt to surpass this work of art of the first century. Resting on the outer edge of the platforms which uphold these elephants, there was on either pillar, a statue of a female, small-life-size, overshadowed by a tree, a branch of which she grasped with one hand, while the other arm passed through a wreath suspended to the tree. her body extended outwards in a diagonal line, swinging from the feet and the tree canopy. The figure, it is thought symbolized the universal mother as recognized in the Buddhist system.

The accompanying engravings of portions of the lintels, enlarged, scarcely demand explanation beyond the general remark that, throughout, the worship of the Tree and the Dagoba is the prevailing theme of the artist-the animals and other objects figured being all worshippers of these.

Charles Peale Polk, the Painter.-In reply to the Editor's QUERY among the NOTES AND QUERIES on page 227 of the MONTHLY for March, relating to Mr. Polk, the artist, I have to state that his name was Charles Peale Polk, born in Maryland, and supposed to be a nephew of Charles W. Peale, of Philadelphia. In 1799, Mr. Polk visited Virginia, and in the summer of that year was at the house of Isaac Hite in Frederick County, where he painted the portraits of James Madison, Sr., and Eleanor Madison, his wife, father and mother of James Madison, President of the United States. These portraits are now in the possession of the owner, James Madison Hite, of Baltimore. They are 5 feet 6 inches, by 3 feet 8 inches, called three-quarter size; and in my opinion, they are fine productions and highly creditable to the artist. At the same time, he painted portraits of Mr. Isaac Hite, and the two daughters of Mr. Madison, sisters of the President, the elder of whom married Mr. Hite, and the younger Dr. Robert H. Rose, of Winchester, Virginia. These are also in existence. Prior to 1799, Mr. Polk made a fine painting of Thomas Jefferson at Philadelphia or Monticello, and when on the visit referred to, presented it to VOL. VI.-20

Mr. Isaac Hite. It was sent to Baltimore for sale, but was lost or stolen in 1871, and after the most untiring search the owner failed to find it. Fanny Madison's portrait (Mrs. Rose) is in possession of Dr. Rose, of Memphis, Tennessee. The others are in Baltimore. If my informant is correct, Mr. Polk was born on the Eastern shore of Maryland.

W. T. R. SAFFELL.

Oster-Monat.-The illumination of the Saxon Calendar for this month represents three persons elevated on a sort of throne, each with drinking cups in their hands, and surrounded with attendants upon their festivities. Strutt, in his description of this drawing, says, "Now, taking leave of the laborious husbandman, we see the nobleman regaling with his friends, and passing this pleasant month in banquetings and music." But he assigns no cause for the appropriateness of this jollity to the particular season. Is not this picture an emblem of the gladness with which the great festival of Easter was held after the self-denials of Lent? April was called by the Anglo-Saxons "by the name of Oster-monat; some think, of a goddess called Goster, whereof I see no

great reason, for if it took appellation of such a goddess (a supposed causer of the easterly winds), it seemeth to have been somewhat by some miswritten, and should rightly be Oster and not Goster. The winds indeed, by ancient observation, were found in this month most commonly to blow from the east, and east in the Teutonic is Ost, and Ost-end, which rightly in English is East-end, hath that name for the eastern situation thereof, as to the ships it appeareth which through the narrow seas do come from the west. So as our name of the feast of Easter may be as much to say as the feast of Oster, being yet at this present in Saxony called Ostern, which cometh of Oster-monat, their and our old name of April." Those who are banqueting on the dais in the illumination, have each cups in their hands; the man sitting at their feet is filling a horn from a tankard; the young man on the right is drinking from a horn. There is a clear distinction between the rank of the persons assembled at this festivity; and the difference of the vessels which they are using for their potations might imply that the horns were filled with the old Saxon ale or mead, and the cups with the more luxurious wine. In Alfric's Colloquy a lad is asked what he drank, and he answers, 44 Ale if I have it, or water

if I have not." He is further asked why he does not drink wine, and he replies, "I am not so rich that I can buy me wine, and wine is not the drink of children or the weakminded, but of the elders and the wise." But if we may reason from analogy, the drinking horn had a greater importance attached to it than the drinking cup. Inheritances of Jand were transferred by the transfer of a horn; estates were held in fee by a horn. The horn of Ulphus is a remarkable curiosity still preserved in the Sacristy of the Cathedral at York. Ulphus was a Danish nobleman of the time of Canute who as Camden informs us, "By reason of the difference which was like to rise between his sons about the sharing of his lands and lordships after his death, resolved to make them all alike, and thereupon 'coming to York with that horn wherewith he was used to drink, filled it with wine, and kneeling devoutly before the altar of God and St. Peter, prince of the apostles, drank the wine, and by that ceremony enfeoffed this church with all his lands and revenues." During the Civil Wars the horn of Ulphus came into the possession of Lord Fairfax, after being sold to a goldsmith; and it was subsequently restored to the church by the Fairfax family in 1675. The Pusey family in Berkshire hold their possessions by a horn given to their ancestors by King Canute. So Camden informs us; though the inscription upon the horn which records the fact is held by Camden's editor, Bishop Gibson, to be of a much more recent date. Nearly all the Saxon representations of convivial meetingsand these are sufficiently numerous to furnish pretty clear evidence of the hospitality of that age-exhibit the guests for the most part drinking from horns. Whether the wine or mead were drunk from horn or cup, the early custom of pledging appears to have been universal. According to the old chroniclers, it was the first wine pledge that delivered over Britain to the power of the Saxons, when the beautiful Rowena sat down in the banqueting hall by the side of Vortigern, and betrayed him by her wine cup, and her Waes Heal (Be of health). Robert of Gloucester has recorded this first wassail in his rough rhyme, which has thus been para. phrased:

“Health, my Lord King,' the sweet Rowena said; 'Health,' cried the Chieftain to the Saxon maid; Then gaily rose, and 'mid the concourse wide, Kissed her hale lips, and placed her by his side. At the soft scene such gentle thoughts abound, That health and kisses 'mongst the guests went round; From this the social custom took its rise;

We still retain and still must keep the prize.'" Selden, who gives the story in his Notes to Drayton, or etures of the wassail of the English that it was "an unusual ceremony among the Saxons before Hengist, as a note health-wishing (and so perhaps you might make it wish he which was expressed among other nations in that form drinking to the health of their mistresses and friends.”

William Rush, the Artist.-I perceive, in reading the January number of the MONTHLY, a note by the Editor making inquiry in regard to the artist William Rush, who seems have had considerable merit in his day. I learn from the vererable ex-Judge L. Q. C. Elmer that he was a brother of the celebrated physician and patriot of the Revolution, Beniam 2 Rush. There is a specimen in this city [Bridgeton, N. Į of his handiwork as a carver on wood, of some historical interest. It is the original figure-head of the old ship Joba, which was wrecked near the ship-channel of the Delaware, about three miles from Cohansey light. She was consignet to Henry Drinker, of Philadelphia, from Havre, France, 1 think, and had an assorted cargo, principally linens and liquors. A copy of her manifest is now in the possession of Joseph H. Elmer, present Collector of Customs. She was cut through by the ice in the winter of 1799, and fillet, making a dangerous bar eventually, on which has recently been erected a permanent light, of great benefit to the navigation of the bay and river. General Ebenezer Elmer, father of Judge Elmer aforesaid, being custom-house officer of the newly-created" Port of Bridgetown"-the official name · Í this port-went out to her in an open boat, and secured the figure-head, which was esteemed a very fine work of art t that time, and as it undoubtedly is to this day. He gave t to General Giles, who had just erected an ice-house of st me, partly above ground, with a conical roof. General G ́es had the effigy affixed to the apex of this house, where it has been ever since, until within a month or so, when it was removed to make way for a new roof. The Rev. S. Bea Jones now owns the fine old mansion and premises formerly belonging to General Giles, but doubtless is not aware of the history of the beautiful lady who stood for seventy live years so majestically on this outbuilding, the admiration of generations of girls and boys of this vicinity. R. B P.

The Masonic Grip under the Gallows." Caleri!), who recently retired from the trying position of hangman in England, had an agreeable custom of always shaking hards with those upon whom he was about to carry out the se tence of the law. But it has been observed that Marwood, his successor, never does this, and speculation has been rife in certain quarters as to the cause of his departure from tus precedent. Freemasons will be interested to learn that the reason is because he is a Free and Accepted Mason, and dreads the condemned man giving him a Masonic grip in return.'"

I find the above copied into several papers, and am curious to know the possibilities should the Masonic "grip" meet the hand of the executioner.

And, first, is it allowable for a Freemason to take the degraded office of hangman? Seecond, would the condemned man go through his trial and condemnation, and "give no sign?"

Masonic signals, understood wherever the institution is found, and it is found the world over, have certainly stood men good service when driven to extremity. My grandfather was one of the early Masons of the State of Maine, having | organized a lodge in his own premises. At one time, while commanding his ship in the Caribean Sea, he was assailed by pirates. Having no ordnance on board, and flight having proved unavailing, he was obliged to heave to and wait the result. The buccaneers proved to be Spaniards. My grandfather ordered his men below, and placed himself, pistol in hand, upon the quarter-deck. I have heard him say that the Captain was a handsome man, with gentlemanly manners, and elegantly equipped with sword, belt, and pistols. As he approached the spot occupied by my relative, the latter bethought himself to make the Masonic sign appropriate for such an occasion. Immediately the Captain gave command for his men, who had swarmed the deck, to retire to their own craft, while the two officers retired to the cabin, and shortly after the pirate left and hoisted sail to depart.

Now, here was a man engaged in a most nefarious business, submitting to the laws of the Masonic Order. Would a felon be likely to omit his opportunity for escape by a like means, before the necessity came for the final "grip?" Would the Order interfere for an acknowledged felon? I think not. Would the executioner, shocked at receiving the Masonic grip at such an extremity, be likely to act in accordance with the laws of the Order, or would he act in accordance with the civil oath by virtue of which he holds his office?

I will remark, incidentally, that when the men were ordered below, the steward, impelled by an irresistible curiusity, poked his head up to see how matters stood, when it was as cleanly shaved off by the murderous crew as if guillo. tined. ELIZABETH OAKES SMITH.

Wanted An Account of Captain Smith's Explorations, etc. The Susquehannocks had a town surrounded by stockades, three miles below Wright's Ferry. They had six hundred warriors. They were conquered and dismembered by the Iroquois a few years before the arrival of William Penn. Evans, in his "Analysis" (second edition, A.D. 1753), says that Bell, in the service of Maryland (at the above fort), "by the defeat of many hundreds, gave them a blow that they (the Five Nations) never recovered from." Where could I find an account of Captain Smith's explo rations, and map of the Susquehanna River in July, August, and September, 1708, and Bell's account of this battle, and some account of Claiborne, who had a trading-post at the mouth of the river in 1631? I can find but the briefest notices of these events. Miss Barber, late of Columbia, says the battle was fought a few miles below that place, and that she saw, in her childhood, the Indians' graves, and that there was said to be a cannon in the river opposite.

SAMUEL EVANS.

The Launch of the Franklin.-The account in the January number of the AMERICAN MONTHLY of the launch of the Franklin 74 at the Philadelphia Navy Yard, has reminded me that I witnessed that launch, and had a good view of it, a sailor having kindly held me up in his arms. Those in the yard had been invited to see the launch, but a large crowd of the uninvited had assembled in Federal street, where they attacked the board fence, which then bounded the yard on that street, with stones and brickbats, some of which went over the fence and occasioned alarm among the female spectators. My belief is that the mob broke down the fence and entered the yard. The newspapers of the day probably mentioned it.

"The

The Rattlesnake Ensign.-In the London Morning Chronicle of July 25, 1776, I find the following. colors of the American fleet have a snake with thirteen rattles, the fourteenth budding described in the attitude of going to strike, with the motto, "Don't tread on me." It is a rule in heraldry, that the worthy properties of the animal in the crest bone shall be considered, and the base ones cannot be in. tended. The ancients accounted a snake or a serpent an emblem of wisdom and in certain attitudes of endless duration. The rattlesnake is properly a representative of America, as this animal is found in no other part of the world. The eye