The Wilmingtonian, and Delaware register., 1824-10-14
POONA.
Ertreme Cruelty tozoards Hindoo Ildo77


The following narrative is extracted from
the Bombay Gazette. 1t will tend to confirm
the public detestation ofthat shameful super
stition which is the braAd of India.
The victim chosen for this crue! and ungod-
w exhibition, was the Widow Of a Brahmn, |
Who died in the South Concan some days prior
to this ceremony.
On approaching the fatal spot, she was pre-
ceded by two oled-horscs, handsomely capar-
soncd, and attended by ten or twelve Brah
minis and about the same number OF women,
with music, drums, &c. Few spectators ac-
companied the procession, considering that
the scene of action was in the immediate
neighbourhood of the city, near to tho Old
Palace.
At first sight of the Woman, was posses
sed with the idea, in common with others,
that she was more or less intoxicated Dut,
before the various ceremonies were gone
through which on such occasions prccedc the
act of burning, those doubts had given place
TO a perfect conviction that she was IN her
sober senses, and fully aware OF the dread
iul act which she was about to perform, Ot
this | am the more satisfied, from the ques-
tion having been frequently put to her by the
European gentlemen present, Whetherlt was
her wish to be burnt; to which she always
.
what she was doing, and that it was her own
pleasure to burn.
Having offered up the more harmless sa-
crifce of incense, on a small fire from which
the pile that was to consume her body was at
terward to be lighted, and having parted
with all her golden ornaments to those IN at
tendcnce, she deliberately and without she'd
| ding single tear took a last leave OF all that
she held dear OH Garth, ascending the pile,
and there laid herself down with the ashes OF
her deceased husband tied round her neck.
The cntrence was then closed with dry straw,
and the whole pile surrounded with the same
light material, and immediately set hire to by
the officiating Priests
had placed myself directly opposite the
entrance TO the pile, and could distinctly see
the unfortunate victim struggling to escape.
| This did not pass unobscrved by the attend
ing Brahmns, who instantly began to knock
down the canopy, which, containing nearly as
much wood as the ,ic itself, would have cf-
fcctually secured their victim in the fire had
it fallen on her. All this while, no one, eX-
ceptng the officiating Brahmins intcrtcred !;
but when the sufferer did make her escape
from the flames, and, on running towards the
river, either fell or threw herself at the feet
of Mr.. r., that gentleman, assisted by Mr.. ,
Immediately carried or rather dragged her
into the water, in which the lattcrgenteman
suffered by incautously laying hold OF her
burning garments.
An attempt was now made by the ofliciat-
ing Priests to carry back their victim to the
blazing pile, which was resisted by the gen
teman present; and one of their number
was despatched to acquant the magistrate of
her escape, and learn his pleasure respecting
her: but before the messengers could return
with an answer from the civil authority, the
Brahmins had persuaded the unfortunate wo-
man once more to approach the pile and, as
she declared, ON being questioned by those
present, that it was her own wish torc-asccnd
the pile, they stood aloof, fearful OF giving Of
fence to the prejudces OF the native popula-
ton on the one hand, or to the civil authorities
onthe ether. She declined, however, for some
f time, to ascend the pile when three OF the
attending Priests lifted her upon their arms,
and threw her on the fire, which at this time
was burning with great fury.
! From this dreadful situation, the miserable
wretch instantly attempted, Tor the second
time, to make her escape; but the mcrciless
Priests we're at hand, to prev mt this ii posi-
) Bile, by throwing largepicccs of wood at their
victim, with the design of putting speedy
, termination to her sutierings. But it was inn
possible for any man of the smallest preten-
sion to feeling, to stand by and witness such
, cruelty and therefore the gentlemen present
again interfered, when the victim speedily
: made her escape second time from the fire,
t and ran directly into the river without any
assistance whatever.
\ The unfortunate woman had no sooner en-
, tered the river. than she was followed by