Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1815-05-31


temple and two i'll the street.
6 The place swarms with fakeers and
mendicants, whose devices to attract atten-
tlon are In many instances really ingeni-
ols. You see some standing for half the
day on their heads, bawling out all the
while for aims some with their heads en-
tlrely covered with earth some having
thelpeyes filled with mud, land Their mouths
with straw; some lying in puddles of wa
ter; one man with his feet tied to his neck.
another with pot of fire on his belly. and
a third enveioped in a network made of
rope.
6 Yesterday evening we witnessed aSut-
tee. The acting Observation-Disclosures and
spoke to the woman but she said that she
loved her husband, and was determined to
burn with him. The man had died only a.
bout seven hours before and his body was
IN a pit at a short distance, filed with
burning faggots. She proceeded towards
the spot, supported by her two sons and Sc
veral Brahmins--music playing during the
ceremony. When she came near the nit.
she received vessel Containing Offering /
suppose from one of the sons, and then sd
vancifig from the rest, passed round the
Piace until she came opposite to her hus-
Dand, when she threw in the vessel, and
presently Sprang forward with open arms.
embraced the dead body, and soon after
wards expired.
"The remains of both were subsequently,
taken up and the sons having first per-
formed certain ceremonies for each. they
were placed on separate piles, and consum-
ed to ashes.
/" l am happy to say that not life has
this year been lost at the barrier, where
last year 81 were crushed to death.
"Jan. %, 1814.-Juggernauth, his bro
ther and sister, all quilted their Garden
house last night, mounted their Rutts again.
and this morning have commenced their
Journey back to the temnle, in perfect
health /; Tor you must know that Jugger
nauth according to his annual custom. had
caught cold, by bathing in the temple at the
last iull moon in consequence of which he
shut himself up for fortnight, and day or
two after he was well enough to see COM
pany, set out on this expedition to his Gar
den house Tor cNange Of ar. He accord
msiJ low rStnrns, qcile. restored"
These Idols are im.ges of wood and
Their huge cars Or rgttS, an which they are
placed, are drawn by the multitude with
ropes. twill be recollected that the Bril-
tish Government, +" the BatLpart # oar Re-
hgion," pays all the e.rpences of he main.
tGinGnce Qfttese Idols, (about 40, 600 dollars
annually md" derives a considerable rece-
nae from FARMING this hateful superst;-
ton"
A most singular inpostor, as a deaf and
dumb person, was detected by Mr.. Sicard
In l706. He was ordered to Paris to be
examined at the Institution for the deaf
and dumb. AS he could write, his man
ner OF spelling gave Mr.. Sicard the first
conviction that he was al impostor, but no
decisive proof was obtained upon the first
examination. The second was not with
greater conviction. At the third trial he
was threatened to be confronted by those
who had taught him, and reminded of his
contradictions. He kept his countenance.
On The next morning, before select com.
pany, he drew from his pocket paper
which he read, with loud and distinct
voice, &c These are the first words which
have issued from my mouth during four.
years" He sad he should prefer death
to this confession that MIR. Sicard was the
only person who could have obtained T.
He added, g In many cities l have been
subjected to different cruel experiments,
but never has the smallest symptom of sur
prise been seen in my countenance. Alta
Rochelle the warder was directed 70 sIeen
with me, bat even my dreams were never
expressed by any thing more than glltteral
sounds. Several times have | been pur.
posely awakened out Of a sound sleep nv
alarm was, however, marked by nothiDc
more than plaintive croaking. The hum
dred prisoners who were with me did all
which had been ordered them, i'm order to
surprise me. In Switzerland, Young.
rich and beautiful woman, offered to mar
ry me, if | would speak. resisted eyerv
thing. Often have had the intention Of
roaming into some wood and living like n
beast.--At first did so. passed whole
month lvlng on roots, potatoes and wild
fruit, without tasting bread. NV true
name is Victor FOy."-Crouds were assem-
bled as soon as the confession was known
A collection was made for him, and II had
great effect upon him. He said he had
been so accustomed to his illusions, that be
had unlearned his hearing. Among all the
experiments, practced upon him in Swift
zerland, the following he said was most