and Alexander; king of Ertinabarad, with Catharine his daughter, and many virgins, with six families, voluntarily followed the law of Thomas, because the law of truth, and he gave them the sign of the cross to adore.  Going up to the place of Antenodur, a bramin thrust him through with a lance, and he died embracing this cross which was stained with his blood.  His disciples carried him to Maiale, where they buried him in his own church with the lance still in his body.  And as we, the above mentioned kings, saw this, we carved these letters.”  Hence it may be inferred, that Maiale was the ancient name of Meliapour, now called St Thomas.  This stone afterwards sweated sometimes, which, till the year 1561, was a good omen, but has since been a bad one.

[Footnote 374:  Probably Mr Stephens may have mistranslated this passage, which might be more appropriately read, who put him to death for the sins of men.  This clumsy legend of St Thomas may amuse our readers; but probably derives its principal features from the contrivances of the Jesuits.—­E.]

There were likewise found three brass plates, about a span long and half a span broad, shaped like scutcheons, having rings on the top.  On one side was engraven a cross and peacock, the ancient arms of Meliapour, and on the other side certain characters which were explained by another learned bramin to the following effect:  “Boca Rajah son of Campula Rajah, and grandson of Atela Rajah, who confesses one GOD without beginning, creator of all things, who is greater than the beast Chigsan, and one of five kings who has conquered ninety and nine, who is strong as one of the eight elephants that support the world, and hath conquered the kingdoms of Otia, Tulcan, and Canara, cutting his enemies to pieces with his sword.”  This is the Inscription on one of these plates.  The others contain grants of lands to St Thomas, directed by the king to himself, and calling him Abidarra Modeliar; whence it may be inferred, that these kings reigned at the time when Christ was crucified.  One of these grants begins thus:  “After the year 1259, in the first year called Icarana Rachan, and on the 12th day of the new moon of the good year, I give in alms to the saint Abidarra Modeliar," &c.  The other begins in this manner:  “This is a token of alms-deeds to purchase Paradise.  All kings that perform them shall obtain much more than they give; and he who disannuls them shall remain 60,000 years with the worms in hell,” &c.