Sun 14. [14 December 1902] Off at 8.30 to Elephanta - our party being an American woman 3 Frenchmen and an Englishman. Delicious steam across the harbour but pretty hot. Got to the island at 10 - all green with trees. Natives tried to sell us lovely green red and gold beetles. Walked up some stone stairs to the temple. The big cave has a small court before it and 2 courts on either side approached through it lead to 2 smaller caves, both with Linga shrines. The one to the left is approached up a few steps with lions on the top of the balustrade. The big cave is very imposing. Short thick columns with heavy fluted capitals support the roof. The lower part of the column is square, the upper round and fluted and small figures are carved in the angles where the square gives place to the round. The principle carving[?] is the Trimurti, colossal heads and busts with a great artistic effect. Expressionless clear cut strait featured, the triple Shiva is the fitting deity of the cave. The groups round the walls have a fine swingeing composition, full of movements and force though the Indian knowledge of the human form leaves to be desired. There is a big Linga Shrine in this cave. Left at 11 and got back to our hotel at 12.30. Hurriedly dressed and off at 1.25 to Govt. House. Very pleasant lunch, Pembrokes, Dartreys, Majoribanks, Mr Schuster; a Captain Cartwright is I think the Gov's Secretary. I sat by Lord Northcote whom I found most agreeable - talked to Lady N. a charming woman after lunch. Lady Dartrey showed me the house and we came away at 3. Drove back to the hotel and out to the Oliviers to tea - great difficulty in finding their house which is opposite the Maha Lakshuni[?] Temple at Breach Candy. Nice people - he showed me his china. The Gascoynes there. Back between the moon and the sunset; dined 6.30 and off at 8. The Victoria station is Italian Gothic, the Cathedral Byzantine, otherwise one wdn't know them apart. We are quite the Indians - we don't turn a hair when we see a cow drawing a dog cart. Most comfy carriages to ourselves, but it was so hot we didn't sleep much.