The Massachusetts spy, and Worcester County advertiser. [volume] ([Worcester, Mass.]) 1825-1831, 1826-01-04

band laid out upon it, followed by a palan-
keen, in which we were informed was the
wife of the deceased. AS we approached the
paiankeen person who walked alongside of
1t, and appeared to be tanning the unhappy
woman, hastily closed the paunels, and thus
frustrated the design which we had formed of
seeing and conversing with her. We deter
mined, therefore, upon quietly proceeding to
the appointed place, where we arrived about
one o'clock. The aforesaid Kuttollee and
palankeen, were both put down On the banks
OF ioby's Nullah, near to the place where the
horrld sacrifice was intended to be consum-
mated. we here once more made an effort to
see the woman but without success, Fooled
IN every attempt we made to accomplish one
OF the primary objects of our -iauut to Kalee
Chant, we had no alternative left. but 10
await patiently till five O'Clock, when the
preparations for the diabolical business com
menced
.Wh'le these were going on, the unfortunate
victim was led out, supported by three old
men, IN a state so utterly helpless and pitiabIe
as 10 excite the commseration of all who saw
her, and arouse the indignant feelings OF the
few Christians present, at the federation. nm.
der an enlightened Government. of a cpstom
SO abhorrent in IFS nature, and so every NOV
repugnant to all laws, human as well as ii.
vine. Misery was depicted in the looks ofI
the Inflated woman, and her general appear. |
ance was indicative of any thing but consent.
on heT part, to the barbarous practice TO which
she was to fall victim. After the perfor. |
nance OF some unmeaning ceremonies. she
was conducted to the banks of the NnIlab
where she was bathed, and then covered with |
new red saurree, in one end of which was
tied up quantity of Rhoee, or parched pad |
dy. The dreadful pile stood at a short dis
lance from her. She trembled excessively. |
and appeared agitated to such degree. that |
couid not but attribute her extraordinary |
emotion TO her dissemination to fulfil the sac |
rince required of her. So uneguivocal. in. |
oeed, were the symptoms of her repugnance |
10 Inc commission OF the horrid act forced ul,- |
on her, mat am confident we could have |
u.ssua"eq ner from 1T, had fair opportunity
been afforded us to make the experiment.
We were told, that she would walk seven
times round the pile, and then ascend it.
This she accordingly commenced doing, imme
diately after the corpse of her husband was
put on it; but with such a lettering gait that |
expected every moment to see her fall She |
was at last helped up TO the pile, more dead |
than alive. No sooner was she laid by the |
side of her husband, than, fend like, the bar |
barians bound her hands and feet with ropes. |
placing at the same time large quantity Of
straw and hemp on her body. A couple of
stout bamboos were also thrown across the
pie, as If to secure the more effectuallv the |
unfortunate victim, and consummate the sac |
rihce. The eldest son of the deceased then |
set IRE to the pile, which was instantly in a
blaze. J watched very narrowly to discover, |
IT possible, whether the woman made any at. |
tempt TO liberate herself, but the cloud oil
dense smoke which issued from the pile, was
untavorable to the qualification of my curiosi |
ty; and amid the deafening shouts. which |
rent the air, of Horee BOle, vociferated by some
thousands OF stentorian lungs, her screams, |
il she screamed at all, were altogether inaudi- |
BILE. Fora few minutes after the hellish work
was accomplished, stood gazing the still
blazing pile, lost in reflections on the scene
had witnessed, and resolving never again TO
harrow my feelings by counting repetition of
the disgusting sight.