The Sun.
London, England, 1825-11-08 00:00:00

INDIA.

TWO RECENT SUTTEES.
( From the Calcutta .Monthly Journal, March 1825.)
46 We have received accounts of two suttees
having recently taken place in the I)eckan, and one in the Con-
can. The piles were constructed in strict conformity with the
rules prescribed by the Shasters, which adds to the torments of
those who devote themselves as victims in these dreadful sacri-
fices, and by all we can learn the fortitude and devotedness of
these superstitious beings were encreased by the prospect of en-
hanced sufferings. Time alone, however, can shew what mea-
sures it may be safe ultimately to adopt for the purpose of rut-
ting an end to rites so cruel and revolting to humanity. For
ourselves we question the policy of any direct interfer-
ence in the reform of practices, which the diffusion of a
more enlightened system of education can alone re-
medy. We make this remark in reference to the dis-
cussions in which the Legislature and would-be Legislators
at home have recently engaged, on this delicate subject. Their
humanity outstrips their judgment—its display only augments
the evil which they are desirous of correcting. None surely can
be more desirous of accomplishing that object than the autho-
rities in India, and can it be for a moment believed that they
are calous in the discharge of their duty ? Instead, therefore,
of declaiming at public meetings against the tolerance of so
horrid a practice, it would produce a more salutary effect
if our Wilberforce's, Buxton's, and Buckingham's were
to contribute each his mite to the dissemination of educa-
tion in India ; which would not fail of dissipating those
clouds of darkness and ignorance in which it is the policy of
the Braminical ascendancy to retain its followers. It has
been contended that a positive interdiction of the practice might
be safely attempted; and that it would as safely succeed, be-
cause, as it is not countenanced by the Shasters, it would not be
interfering with the religious observances of the Hindoos. We
doubt the policy of such an interdict ; if it be not an interfe-
rence with their religion, it is an interference with a deeply
rooted custom. It might, however, be tried—but not in the
British territories. We should ima'ine, that any of the Native
Chiefs, the most enlightened of those in alliance with us,
might be prevailed upon to prohibit the practice. If the
attempt succeeded, it might then be followed up in our own
territories. Instead if our own countrymen crowding to the
spot to witness such inhuman rites, it would be perhaps better
if they turned from those spectacles with horror and disgust,
and seized eve: y opportunity of speaking of the practice in terms
qf marked reprobation. They must recollect that in all ages
and countries, where force has been employed to root out any
particular superstition, it has only made its votaries more de-
termined and obstinate. The sun of knowledge alone can dis-
perse the mists and illumine the darkness of superstition."

ANCIENT PRICE OF LABOUR.—In the year
1352, 2l;th Edward 111., wages paid to haymakers was Id.
a day. A mower of meadows 3d. a day, or 5(1. an acre.
Reapers of corn in the first week of August, 2d., in the second,
3d. per day, and so on till the end of August, without meat,
drink, or other allowance, finding their own tools. For thresh-
ing a quarter of wheat or rye, 21d. ; a quarter of barley, beans,
peas, and oats, lid. A master carpenter 3d. a day, other car-
penters 2d. A master mason 4d. per day, other masons 3d.,
and their servants lid. per day. Tilers 3d., and their " knaves"
lid. Thatchers 3d. per day, and their knaves lid. Plasterers,
and other workers of mud walls, and their knaves in like man-
ner, without meat or drink, and this from Easter to Michael-
mas ; and from that time less, according to the direction of the
Justices.