In the Far East: A Narrative of Exploration and Adventure in Cochin-China, Cambodia, Laos, and SiamAdams, W. H. Davenport (William Henry Davenport)
History
In the Far East: A Narrative of Exploration and Adventure in Cochin-China, Cambodia, Laos, and Siam
Adams, W. H. Davenport (William Henry Davenport)
Indochina -- Description and travel
The ascent of the so-called mountain, he says, is easily accomplished:
after a little time the traveller arrives at a kind of platform
excavated in the rock, the surface of which appears formerly to have
been carefully levelled with cement. A small brick building attracts
the eye; it is erected over the imprint of Buddha’s foot, the gilding
and outlines of which are, like the building itself, of very modern
date. But we soon discover, in the rock, numerous holes which served
as foundations for the columns of the temple; and beyond, some of
these columns are still standing. If we follow up the traces of this
colonnade, we arrive at an enclosure which was opened of old, perhaps,
by a monumental gate; but there are not sufficient vestiges extant to
enable us safely to reconstruct this part of the edifice. Within the
enclosure, and symmetrically placed on either side of the colonnade, we
find two ruined buildings; and in their interior numerous statues and
fragments of statues have been carefully preserved by the inhabitants.
Continuing our exploration westward, we arrive at length at the foot
of the principal monument. This consists of five terraces excavated
on the crest of the hill in exact gradation. Their general plan is
rectangular, and one recedes behind the other at least thirteen feet.
We ascend them by means of staircases constructed in the middle of each
side, and guarded by stone lions mounted upon pedestals. At the angle
of each terrace, and about thirty feet from each staircase, are raised
admirably built little turrets, sixteen feet in height. Each of these
sixteen turrets contains a statue.
~A MASS OF RUINS.~
~A PICTURESQUE PANORAMA.~
In the centre of the upper terrace is a platform or base, about three
and a quarter feet high, and measuring one hundred feet from north to
south by one hundred and three feet from east to west. On this base
were raised of old the towers which dominated the neighbouring country.
But it is occupied now by a mass of ruins. By carefully examining
them, we are able to make out that these towers were three in number,
of which the central was the largest, and that they faced the east.
The view from the summit of the ruins is truly enchanting. At our feet
extends the verdurous sea of forest, its vague and undefinable murmurs
just audible to the attentive ear. In a northerly direction the dense
forest-shadows stretch far and far away until lost in the dim horizon;
and the eye seeks vainly to discover in its midst the crests of some of
the lofty monuments of Ongcor. To the south-east, however, the towers
and colonnades of Ongcor-Wat are clearly marked out upon the great
open plain; and the few groves of palms and clusters of fruit-trees
which surround it give to the landscape an Oriental character of poetry
and grace. Westward, a small lake reflects in its glassy surface the
surrounding verdure. To the south we catch glimpses, through the warm
vapours which veil the horizon, of the Great Lake.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account