The Sun.
London, England, 1860-03-12 00:00:00

LI7'ERA 7 URE.

A Comprehensive History of India, Civil, Military,
and Social, from. the First Landing of the English
to the Suppression of the Sepoy Revolt. Blackie,
Ed in burgh.
The title of this work is long, but after all it
speaks for itself, and the critic has only to indite
what is to be found on the title-page to recommend
this work to the attentioa of the public. Great
care has been taken in the compilation of facts, and
the history of India is laid open without fear, and
challenges contradiction. The following extract
will show how strong the devotion of the In-
dian women is to their old traditions ; and although
under a matter-of-fact and reasonable Government
the unnatural and imposing ceremonies which were
enacted under the old Brahmii rule are now super-
seded, the feeling of the inhabitants still holds to
the prejudices of their ancestors :

"At five of the clock, on the morning of the 4th of
February, 1742.43, died Rana Chund Pundit, of the Mah-
ratta tribe, aged 28 years ; his widow (for he had but one
wife), aged between 17 and 18, as soon as he expired, dis-
claiming to wait the time allowed her for reflection, imme-
diately declared to the Brahmins and witnesses present her
resolution to burn. As the family was of no small considera-

tion in Cossimbazar, And her relations left no argument to
dissuade her from it, Lady Russell, with the tenderest
humanity, sent her several messages to the same pur-
pose ; the infant state of her children (two girls and a boy,
the eldest not four years of age), and the terrors and pain
of the death she sought, were painted to her in the
strongest and liveliest colouring. She was deaf to
all. She 'gratefully thanked Lady Russell, and sent her
word she had now nothing to live for, but recommended her
children to her protection. When the torments of burning
were urged in terrorenz to her, she, with a resolved and calm
countenance, put her finger into the fire, and held it there
a considerable time ; she then, with one hand, put fire in the
palm of the other, sprinkled incense on it, and fumigated
the Brahmins. The consideration of her children left des-
titute was again urged to her. She replied that He who
made them would take care of them.' She was at last given

to understand she would not be permitted to burn. This, for
a short space, seemed to give her deep affliction; but soon
recollecting herself, she told them death was in her power,
and that if she was not allowed to burn, according to the
principles of her caste, she would starve herself. Her
friends, finding her thus peremptory and resolved, were ob-
liged at last to assent. The body of the deceased was car-
ried down to the water side early the following morning.
The widew followed about ten o'clock, accompanied by three
very principal Brahmins, her children, parents, and rela-
lations, and a numerous concourse of people. The order of
leave for her burning did not arrive till after one o'clock,
and it was then brought down by one of the soubah's own
officers, who had orders to see that she learned voluntarily.
The time they waited for the order was employed in pray-
ing with the Brahmins, and washing in the Ganges. As
soon as it arrived, she retired, and stayed for the space of
half an hour in the midst of her female relations, amongst
whom was her mother. She then divested herself of her
bracelets and other ornaments, and tied them in a cloth
which hung like an apron before her, and was conducted
by her female relations to one corner of the pile. On the
pile was an arched arbour, formed of dry sticks, boughs,
and leaves, open only at one end to admit her entrance. In
this the body of the deceased was deposited, his head at the
end opposite the opening. At the corner of the pile to which
she had been conducted, the Brahmins had made a small
fire, round which she and the three Brahmins sat for some
minutes. One of them gave into her hand a leaf of the bale-
tree (the wood commonly consecrated to form part of the
funeral pile), with sundry things on it, which she threw into
the fire ; one of the others gave her a second leaf,
which she held over the flame, while he dropped three times
some ghee on it, which fell and melted into the fire (these
two operations were preparatory symbols of her approach-
ing dissolution by fire) ; and whilst they were performing
this, the third Brahmin read to her some portions of the
Aughtorrah Bhade, and asked her some questions, to which
she answered with a steady and serene countenance ; but
the noise was so great that we could not understand what
she said, although we were within a yard of her. These
over, she was led with great solemnity three times round
the pile, the Brahmins reading before her • when she came
the third time to the small fire, she stopped, took the rings
off her toes and fingers, and put them to her other orna-
ments. Here she took a solemn, majestic leave of her chil-
dren, parents, and relations - after which one of the Brah-
mins dipped a large wick eicotton in some ghee, and gave
it ready lighted into her hand, and led her to the open aids
of the arbour. There all the Brahmins fell at her feet.
After she had blessed them they retired weeping. By two
steps she ascended the pile, and entered the arbour. On

,
her entrance she made a profound reverence at the feet
of the deceased, and advanced and seated herself by his
head. She looked, in silent meditation, on his face for-the
space of a minute, then set fire to the arbour in three places.
Observing that she had set fire to leeward, and that the

flames blew from her, instantly seeing her error she rose,
set fire to windward, and resumed her station. Ensign
Daniel, with his cane, separated the grass and leaves on the
windward side, by which means we had a distinct view of
her as she sat. With what dignity and undaunted a coun-
tenance she set fire to the pile the last time, and assumed
her seat, can only be conceived, for words cannot convey a
just idea of her. The pile being of combustible materials,
the supporters of the roof were presently consumed, and
tumbled in upon her."

On a future occasion we will again call attention to
this useful work, and to those who take an interest
in Indian matters, a periodical that contains full and
particular information on all that pertains to our
Eastern possessions cannot but be interesting.

Which is Which ; or Miler Cassidy's Contract.
By Robert B. Brough. 2 vols. Kent and Co.

This interesting and original story is reprinted
from the pages of The National Magazine, and its
appearance in a more connected form will not be
unwelcome to its readers. The characters are
sketched with vigour and variety, Miles Cassidy
himself being by far the most attractive, if not the
most lifelike. He is an Irishman who has been in-
volved in the troubles of '9B, and who, in one of the
catastrophes of that terrible time, lost his wife, who
died during his absence from home. On his return
to his desolate dwelling he learned his misfortune
from the sight of the corpse. The village had been
sacked, and none were left to tell the tale, or to
protect two infant boys who were sleeping in their
cradle. One of these Miles knew to be his own
son, and the other the child of a strange lady who
had visited his wife during his absence, but " which
was which" he did not know till long years had
rolled away. He accordingly took charge of both,
resolved to bring them up so that each should fit
either station in life. The stranger mother, he
knew, had been a lady of wealth and rank from the
trinkets left, and he accordingly gave both his
boys a gentleman's education, and taught both his
own trade of a carpenter. The story includes
many other persons, and Sir Paul Evershed, a
baronet, is the villain of the piece ; but the chief
interest all through centres upon Miles and his two
charges. One of them, Frank, grows up with tastes
far above his condition ; he enters a literary career,
mixes in fashionable society, and falls in love with
the granddaughter of a Countess, Lady Brayle.
Ted, the other one, is rough and wild in his ways,
with all his nation's love of fun and frolic, and de-
votedly attached to old Miles Cassidy. When at
last, from a series of accidents and discoveries, the
events of Miles's early life are disclosed, it is found
that one of the youths is heir to a title and large
estates, and the grandson of Lady Brayle. " Which
is Which" is still the difficulty. Edward is as fear-
ful of losing Miles Cassidy as a father, as Frank is
anxious to be in a position to claim Lady Brayle's
granddaughter for his bride. The whole style of
the story, and the character of the heroes them-
selves, prepare the reader for a denouement that
would solve all difficulties, but the author gives us an-
other surprise by the final revelation that Frank, the
literatteur and fine gentleman, is the carpenter's son,
while Ted, the wild Hibernian, is the wealthy
viscount. However, Frank's ease is not hopeless,
for his brother's generosity enables him to obtain
his bride, and the simple noble-hearted Miles Cas-
sidy has the satisfaction of seeing both his children
happy. Such is the substance of a story which
will interest many readers, while plenty of fun and
jesting are scattered through it to gratify the lovers
of the humorous.

Mr. and Mrs. Charles Kean have, it is said, car-
ried with them from Edinburgh above £l,ooo—one-half
the proceeds of their few nights' performances.
Lieut.-General Sir George Wetherall, on being
relieved as Adjutant-General by Sir James Scarlett, will in
all likelihood be appointed to the command of the Northern
District, in succession to Sir John Pennefather.—Army
and Navy Gazette.
CANTERBURY HALL—The proprietors of this po-
pular place of entertainment lag Thursday invited the
children of the Licensed Victuallers' School, and the friends
and supporters of the institution, to a morning performance,
sustained by the whole of the professional talent of the
establishment. Mr. Morton's liberality was rewarded by the
attendance of about 100 children, and so great a concourse
of the friends of the society that every part of the hall was
crowded. The programme of the concert was exceedingly
well selected by Mr. Jonghmanns, and the entire perform-
ance was a great and decided success. The children, who
were specially delighted with Mr. Hodson, Mrs. Macfar-
lane, and Mr. Mackney, were regaled between the parts
with immense slices of cake and exceedingly ripe, tempting-
looking oranges.
THE MISSING AUSTRALIAN GOLD SHIP COMMO-
DORE PERTLY.—Some anxiety is now being felt at the non-
arrival, although long overdue, of the clipper ship Commo-
dore Perry, Capt. Kiddie, which sailed from Melbourne for
London on the 17th November last, and is therefore 114
days at sea. The Commodore Perry had on board, at the
time of her leaving Melbourne, the following saloon pas-
sengers :—Mr., Mrs., and Miss Martha Nellie, Mrs. Bailey
and child, Mrs. Johnston, Mrs. and Master Ley ; Messrs.
Bateman, Harford, Robt. G. Bateman, Jas. Home, Joshua
Clarke, and James R. Murphy, in addition to 15 in the
second and third cabins, and a full crew. She had also
14,518 ounces 11 dwts. of gold, valued at £53,000, consigned
as follows :—Bank of Australia, 10,367 oz.; Oriental Bank
Corporation, 4,045 oz. ; and other small shipments, 106 oz.
She had also on board the following cargo :-5,600 bales of
wool, one of the largest consignments ever shipped in
one bottom ; 292 bags of lead ore, 60 bales of leather, 20
bales of rags, 3 packages of effects, 3 tons scrap iron, 2
packages of returned British goods, and 11 packages miscel-
laneous. The valuable cargo of gold and wool has caused
more attention than usual to prevail, and more anxiety
in commercial circles, and insurances have risen daily, until
now they have been done at 25 per cent. and upwards. It
should be remembered that on one occasion the James Bianco
was out a long time, with a large quantity of gold and many
passengers, and rates of insurance ran to a very high figure,
when she arrived safely ; and it is to be hope-1, and likely
to be realised, that the same will be the case with the Com-
modore Petry on the present occasion. She is a strong
ship, built by Donald M'Kay, of Boston; and her ceii
wander, Captain Kiddie, is an officer of great experience in
the Australian trade, having commanded the Montmorency
and other well-known vessels. She formed one of the
" Black 1341" lino of Australian packets.—Lireryool foie.