Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1818-03-13

Yesterday morning al ocicek this woman was bro't
ofthe tanges, Two miles only from Calcutta, Her bus
band had been previously brought 10 the river expire
His disorder ras OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES Of the agony this
must have oceasioned biu.> He bad been dead ~
hOnfs, AID persuasion could the
herself She had three children whom she
the care OF her mother woman called the undertaken
preparing ;he pile. II of bamboo,
oils iosnand kind of nax, altogether conbnstibe
was elevated above tue ground should say, 20 inch
and supported by st6ns stakes. Tie body was
bng on nude couch, very near, covered WITH white
CLOTH The Oldest child, a boz Of years, (wko Was
i'sh' thepic) was standing near The corrse Thewoan
sat perfectly unDoved during all the pieparaOn aypa-
renuy a, rfa!Sf; ao Counting sif,ng OF beads winch
she helt ~ hef hand SheNas Just 80 yeats old hen
| husband ~ years older.
Acgovsrmnentthrew every obstacle in the way oftbs
procedure ihey are not strong enough TO resoto vio
lent measures te prevent this abominale custom No
thing hut our religion abolish and do not neieve
there s particle Of christianity il, The breast
| .ie native IN all India.
| These obstacles delayed the ceremony until ) O'clock
when the permit from one OF the chief iuges arrived
Police oicers stationed prevest any thing like
conp1ion, and TO secure the he last
Il she shonid desire IL. The corpse placed
III an upright postsre and clean linen crossed
round the head and about the vast. Holy water
was thrown over 1t by the child, and afterwards oil
by The Brainins. II was then placed upon the
pile upon the left side. The left the paian
@uln walked into The river, supported 10y her brothers,
who were sgitated and required support than her-
sen. she was oisesed OF all her ornaments. her iair
hanging disheveed about her face which expressed per
ect rssigraicn. Her forehead aud feet stained
with deep red. She batied in the river, aud drak
ie water, which the only nourshment she recev-
ed Aeer her husbands death. An oath administer
ed by the attending Brarius, which doIe by putting
the hand in hsiy water and repeating fon the shas;er
few lines. This oath giy.a times q forget
20 So! the child received an cath before the
removed. The brothers also prayed over the body and
sprnked themselves with consecrated water She tben
adjusted her dress which consisted OF long cloths
wrapped roGnd her form and partly the head but
hot so TO conceal the face. She had in her hand
niue box containing parting gifts, which she presented
10 et rsand 10 The Branlins with the geates
pOsure Red strings weretLen fastened round her wrists
her child now little in her mouth, which was
mo- God
ven several times during the river ceremonies which
cnpied 10 or 40 minutes. She took notice OF her
ENID having taken leave of her female irends and
children early IN the morning. little cup Of consecTa-
.u ice was placed by the child a the head ofhe corpse
cue now walked To the pile and heat with lowiy
eice over The feet of her husband then unaidtd
passedthree times around the pile. She seemed ex-
Sted ny enthusiasm, some said of religious nature
ihcis BY affection for ihedsad do moi pretend say
what motive aciuated her hut she stepped npon the pile
with apparent delight unasssted by any one
Ieiseiihs inc sideof the body clasping his neck with
Ser xTp The corpse was in the horrid, putrid
state she put her face close hi. was slight
~ passed over both light faggots and straw with some
cenbustoe rOsn then put the pile ,and strong
bamboo pole c0uined the whole all this was done bv
h,f brothers. The child then applied the 0re 10 The head
9" tbe PIE, whicn was to CONSUME both parents. The
whole was Instantly lire. The multitude shouted bur
hst sfoan was heard Rom the pile hope and
rms poor victim expired Immediately. She undoub ted-
~ did without struggle Her feet and arms were not
esnaed, and after the straw aud fsggois burnt we
SAW theni m The same position she mad placed heIn
Ihis WaSa voluntary act. She Tesi~ned self collect
ed, and perfectly herself Sush fortitude magma
ulau 0eiUsien combined, had not conserved Of and
nope never To vitesS again. Hundreds Witnessed this
scene Some Rdmredthe heToism of the wuiaali-soue
were ready totear the Bramins peces--lo, myself
w9sahsontely Supplied with pity aud horror this cad
ini immoiaiion am greved to say this is I'M
cClninon,nstance.
believe have given you all the particulars put
III beer form, aud tell this incredible story 20
some OF my friends. There present about 40 Anne.
ricans ead few English. do not know the number of
natives, sut may safely say mauy hundreds.
Yesterday was aS9 one Of the feasts OF Juggernant.
In returning home, passed through street. miles
'h length entirely hiled with temples ccnsecTaed
sod drawn by worshppng thousands and inyrads
ing honor; they Offering gold fruits the
most beaufd aowerS, to the different idols placed within
these temples The air pefued with the most pre-
cions odours The house tops covered with people
dressed in the most expensive and fantastic manner and
chAoren covered with jewes. Bands Of native music
preceded and followed each temple making the most
dseordant sounds. People WHO had nsiLng TO give
screamed aud Frustrated themselves the immune
Tshe idols that were standing in the streets The hers
e we're stopred twenty times At least by the crowd ga
therng to offer sacrifices to these images Guards we're
placed all directions 10 keep order.
lcangiyeyo no idea Of this country. lam
out gel no iueiihatioiite Worship thank God we are
not Hindoos-andfor all his merees p, ese him.
Farewell, once more, nay dearly beloved friends"