a hundred sons; and, when he succeeded to the throne, built the city of _Suc-haverddhana_, framed _vimânas_, or celestial, self-moving cars, in which he visited the gods, and made gardens, abounding in delights, which rivalled the bowers of INDRA; but, having granted the desire, which he formed at _Matoyasangama_, or the place where the fish were assembled, he resigned the kingdom to his eldest son HIRANYAVRIDDHA, and returned, in his former shape, to the banks of the Ca'li, where he closed his days in devotion.--WILFORD. _Asiatic Researches_. _Dushmanta_. In what path of the winds are we now journeying? _Matali_. This is the way which leads along the triple river, heaven's brightest ornament, and causes yon luminaries to roll in a circle with diffused beams: it is the course of a gentle breeze which supports the floating {175} forms of the gods; and this path was the second step of Vishnu when he confounded the proud Bali. * * * _Dushmanta_. The car itself instructs me that we are moving over clouds pregnant with showers; for the circumference of its wheels disperses pellucid water. * * * _Dushmanta_. These chariot wheels yield no sound; no dust arises from them, and the descent of the car gave me no shock. _Matali_. Such is the difference, O King! between thy car and that of Indra.--SACONTALA. _And ending thus where they began_, &c.--VII. p. 66. It has been supposed that the perpetual lamps, which were at one time believed to have been found in certain sepulchres, were kept burning by a similar process. For the lamp, it was argued, being hermetically closed, so that no smoke could escape, the smoke was condensed into its original liquid form; and thus the liquor which fed the flame passing into smoke, and the smoke again into the liquor, the flame was continually kept up. There still remained a difficulty about the wick; some supposed that this was made of threads of gold inconceivably fine: others, with less expense of fancy, said a wick of {176} asbestos would answer the purpose.--FEYJOO. _Theatro Critico_, _T_. 4. _Disc_. 3. § v. 13. _The Raining Tree._--VII. p. 65. The island of _Fierro_ is one of the most considerable of the Canaries, and I conceive that name to be given it upon this account, that its soil not affording so much as a drop of fresh water, seems to be of _iron_; and, indeed, there is in this island neither river, nor rivulet, nor well, nor spring, save that only, towards the sea-side, there are some wells; but they lie at such a distance from the city, that the inhabitants can make no use thereof. But the great Preserver and Sustainer of all, remedies this inconvenience by a way so extraordinary, that a man will be forced to sit down and acknowledge that he gives in this an undeniable demonstration of his goodness and infinite providence,