Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1826-12-19
! ]. rNln Dernier's 'i.aN,.s.'

actually burn themselves present al SO MANY of
those shocking exhibitions, that 1 could not persIade
myself to attend any more; nor is il withou, n feeling
at horror That revert to the subject shall eudeayo
nevertheess TO describe what passed beiure my eyes,
ue, cahho' nope To give you adequate conception
oi me iou'ude displayed by those infatuated victims
CURING The whole of the frightul tragedy; it must be
seen 10 be believed Vixen travelling from Ahrneda-
oau 10 Agra through the territories .o Rajahs aud
"he the caravan halted in a town under the shade,
un,' the cool OF the evening, news reached US that
wiuow vas on the point of burning herself with the
oooy OF her husband l ran at to the spot, and
going TO- the edge of large and nearly dry reservoir
observed at the bottom deep pit Ged it'll wood; the
BODY oil dead man extended thereon; woman seated
upon the same pile; four five brahmins setting
hre TO II in every part; five mde-aged women, toiera-
oily well dressed holding another by the hand sing
ing and dancing round the pit; aud great number of
| spectators OF both The pile, ,yhereon large
quantities OF butter and oil had been thrown, soon
euyeloPed in flames, and the fire catch the wo-
mans garments, which were impreguated with scented
oil mixed with sandarach and saffron powder; but /
could not perceive the slightest Indication of pain or
even uneasness in the victim, and it said that she
pronounced with emphasis the words FIVE two to spni.
~ that this being the fifth she had burned herself
with The same husband there wanted only two more
similar SACRIFICES 10 render her perfect according tire
doctrine OF lire Uansmigraon Of souls; as if a certain
rehiScence or prophetic spirit, had been impaired
10 her at the moment of her dissolution But
,ois was only the commencement of the Internal TRACE
uy thought that the singing and dancing of the FIVE
women were nothing more than unmeaninc GER
einony great therefore was my establishment when
sa" That the flames having gnited the clothes of one OF
these females, she cast herself head foremost into tho
pit The horrid example was followed bv another yo
man, as soon as the flames caught her person. the
'hree women who remained then took hold of each 9th
ei os "ie manu. resumng The dance with perfect COM
Posue and aiera short lapse of time thew also precip
uated themselves Que after the other into the fire
suoh learnt the meaning ofthesc multiplied sacrifices
nc iFe women were slaves, and having witnessed the
ueep alhictoo their mistress in consequence of tho
!ness OF her husband whom she promised moi TO sur
V'e they were SO moved with compassion that they en
'ereu INTO an engagement 10 perish by the same flames
mat consumed their below ed mistress -
LAS was leaving Surat for Persia witnessed the
devotion anu burning of another widow; several En-
siishmen and Duci"nen, and Mr. Chardin of Paris.
were present. She was of the middle age, and by no
means unconle!y. ! do not expect, with nv limited
powers OF expression, TO convey full Flea of the bru
us" ooidness or ierocous gaety, depicted this wo.
mans co"n'cnance; of her undaun,ed step; OF the free
I"n rom all perturbation with which she conyersed
anu permitted herself to be washed; of the look If
confidence, or rather Of ns nsity which she cast upon
u.s. OF her easy air. free from detection; of her lofty
carriage, void OF embarrassment when She was exam
iuing her little cabin composed of dry and ,hic r,lI
straw with an mtermiXture of small wood when she
e'e Ell INTO t'r' CABIN sal down upon the funeral pile
paced her deceased husbands head in her lap took up
.nfcn' ana with her own hand lighted the fire within
whie know not how many Bralnins we're husiIy en-
gagged III kIndiing ii without Well, indeed NAV |
despair OF representing this whole scene with proper
and genuine feeling, such experienced AT the snec
,hce itsei or OF painting ii in coiors sufficiently vivid
MY recollection OF IT. indeed. vivid that il seems
o'iy lew days since the horrid reality passed before
my eyes ana with pain persuade myself il was any
thing but frightful dream.
At Lahore saw most beautiful young widow sa-
crihced who coud not, think, have been more than
Twelve years oage The poor little creature appeared
more dead than alive when she approached the dre,dI
PIT The agony of her mind cannot be described
e trcmoied and wept bitterly but three or four Of
the brain'ns, assisted by old woman, who held her
under me ARM forced the unwilling victim toward the
fatal spot seated her the soed tied her hands and
eet lest size shouid away, and in .,at situation
the mncccnl creature vas burnt aren