The Sun.
London, England, 1863-11-25 00:00:00

LITERATURE,

A Personal Narrative of Thirteen Years' Service
amongst the Wild Tribes of Khondistan. By
Major-General John Campbell, C.B. One vol.
Pp. 370. Hurst and Blackett.

For thirteen years Major-General Campbell was
occupied in Arissa in most resolute endeavours to
put an end to the unholy custom of offering human
sacrifices, as practised among the wild tribes of
Khondistan. Such a record, by one who has taken
a personal and conspicuous part in the scenes which
ho describes, is necessarily full of interest. It re-
veals to us a painful and revolting chapter iu the
history of humanity—or rather, we should say, in-
humanity. The extent to which these human sa-
crifices amount is positively incredible, In one place
General Campbell records the rescue of no less than
two hundred and thirty-five intended victims ! And
in another the recovery of two hundred and six!
The following gives some idea of these atrocious
sacrifices

The Rhonda supposed that good crops, and safety from
all disease and accidents, were ensured by this slaughter.
They considered it peculiarly necessary when engaged in
the cultivation of turmeric. They very coolly reasoned as
to the impossibility of the turmeric being of a fine deep
colour without shedding of blood. They said they would
not knowingly sacrifice a Khond or a Brahmin ; with
two exceptions, victims of all ages and colours, of every
religion and of both sexes, are equally acceptable, but the
fat are considered more efficacious than the thin, and those
in their prime than the aged and the young.
The victims are purchased at from GO to 130 rupees each,
of persons of the Panu and Haree classes, who sell them as
their own children ; but as individuals of all classes are
found amongst those rescued, it is evident that these
miscreants steal them, and then sell them for slaughter to
the Khonds.

The children, alter being purchased, are often kept for
many years. When of age to understand for what purpose
they are intended, they are chained—two had been years
in chains—one so long that he could not recollect over hav-
ing been at liberty. With the exception of being thus con-
fined, they aro well treated.

I was not successful in acquiring any reliable information
as to the frequency of these sacrifices. One Khond, of
about 46 years of age, told me he had witnessed fully 50.
Others equally old would acknowledge to having been
present at two or three only. Victims are found in the
houses of the village sirdurs only, and mere ryots (la-
bourers) aro not permitted to slay victims—indeed, they
have not the means, for a considerable expense falls on the
master of the horrid feast.

Very contradictory stories were told of the manner in
which the ceremony itself is conducted. The most com-
mon method appeors to be to bind the Meriah between two
strong planks or bamboos, one being placed across the chest
and another across the shoulders. These are first of all
firmly fastened at one end ; the victim is then placed be-
tween them ; a round is passed round the other ends, which
are long enough to give a good purchase—they are brought
together, and the unfortunate sufferer squeezed to death.
'While life is still ebbing, the body is thrown on the
ground, and chopped in two pieces between the bamboos
with hatchets.

Some accounts state that after the performance of several
savage ceremonies and feastings, the divided corpse is
buried unmutilated. Others say that, as soon as divided,
each person in attendance falls on and c•its a piece, which
is carried away to be buried in his own land. Several ad
witted that in Goomsur the victims were cut up alive ; and
though no one would allow that to be the custom on this
side (Bengal), I believe it is at least occasionally practised
—for they acknowledge their belief that, if the body were
buried whole, the benefit of the sacrifice would not extend
farther than the lands of the person who found the victim ;
whereas, if more widely distributed, the benefit would be
propel tionally extended.

Such was the amount of our knowledge on this subject,
which naturally attracted the serious attention of both the
Governments of Madras and Bengal. What measures
should be adopted, and what agency employed far the
suppression of the horrible custom of human sacrifices,
were questions frequently discussed. The dangers and
difficulties attendant upon almost any plan were forcibly
pointed out.

After a due consideration of these dangers and diffi-
culties, it was decided that General, then Captain,
Campbell should be appointed, both in a revenue and
magisterial capacity, to Sooradah and Goomsur,
with a special charge over the Khond inhabitants
of those countries. As to General Campbell's quali
fications for the post, Mr. Russell, the Government
agent during the two years' war, gives the follow-
ing ample testimony—" Captain Campbell has
acquired a knowledge of the country and people of
the hill tracts in the Ganjan district under circum-
stances never likely to occur again ; and his local
experience and personal influence with the
different hill chieftains, gives him an advan-
tage over any other person who could be
appointed to the situation of principal assis-
tant to the Commissioner." So triumphant and
satisfactory were the results of General Campbell's
endeavours, that he afterwards received the public
thanks of the Governor-General of India in Council.
The volume, abounding as it does in most interest-
ing and original information, is illustrated with
maps and portraits of some of the Khond chiefs
and the rescued Meriah victims.

ST. CECILIA'S ANtATEUR CHORAL SOCIETY.—
The third coticat of this society took place in St.
Joseph:a Hall, Kingsland. Despite the bad state of the
weather the spacious hall was well filled by a fashionable
auditory. M. Leman assembled around him a very power -
ful and efficient band and chorus. The concert commenced
with an overture, " Le Dieu," &c., Auber, followed by a
chorus from Pearsall, "O who will o'er the Downs," both
of which were must effectively rendered. Madame Lowen-
thal and Miss Lyon gave Bellini's duet "hear me, Norma."
Sir H. Bishop's quartet "Sound the Horn" was deservedly
encored. Miss Ellen Lyon sang Verdi's rondo, "Non In
Sogno," with exquisite taste, and was in turn also encored.
Miss Evelyn's rendering of the air, " Summer morning," in
part 2d, was all that the most fastidious could have wished.
Mr. Scott sang with great taste and feeling Vousden's
"Let each man learn," &c., in which he was encored, and
then sang a couple of Lover's Irish songs, for the humorous
rendering of which same songs Mr. Scott is already so
well and favourably known. The "Va dasi via di qua,"
trio, Martini ; the piano performances of Miss Koppers ;
" The Village Blacksmith," by Mr. Buhltr, were each and
all.deserving of commendation. The MS. ballad, by J. P.
Knight, which was so well rendered by Miss Ellen Lyon
like all the other compositions of this author, is one of great
merit, and we hope that ere long this charming song will
be published. On the whole, the concert was a decided sue.
cees, being a great improvement on, its predee,leors.