Let us show you our great Temple of Freedom." And so saying, irreverently grasping his sacred arm, they conducted us toward a lofty structure, planted upon a bold hill, and supported by thirty pillars of palm; four quite green; as if recently added; and beyond these, an almost interminable vacancy, as if all the palms in Mardi, were at some future time, to aid in upholding that fabric.
Upon the summit of the temple was a staff; and as we drew nigh, a man with a collar round his neck, and the red marks of stripes upon his back, was just in the act of hoisting a tappa standard-- correspondingly striped.

Other collared menials were going in and out of the temple.
Near the porch, stood an image like that on the top of the arch we had seen.

Upon its pedestal, were pasted certain hieroglyphical notices; according to Mohi, offering rewards for missing men, so many hands high.
Entering the temple, we beheld an amphitheatrical space, in the middle of which, a great fire was burning.

Around it, were many chiefs, robed in long togas, and presenting strange contrasts in their style of tattooing.
Some were sociably laughing, and chatting; others diligently making excavations between their teeth with slivers of bamboo; or turning their heads into mills, were grinding up leaves and ejecting their juices.

Some were busily inserting the down of a thistle into their ears.