Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1836-09-09
THE HINDoo WIDOWS.


will cease to wonder il ever he wondered
why so many Hindoo women make a rot
uatary sacrifice of themselves at the fune-
raj pile Of their husbands Besides the mcr-
IL and the future rewards which are held out
TO them, as motives derived from their relig-
ion, there are inducements OF another kind,
which probably act on their minds still
more powerfully Religion and custom
have rendered widowhood so wretched and
disgraceful; that the hindoo wife, on the de-
mise of her husband, chooses death, rather
than so miserable life.
Widowhood is regarded as the greatest
possible calamity that can possibly bcfall a
woman. The widow is stripped of her or
naments. compelled to wear white clothing,
has her head shaved; may not stain her face
with saffron water, nor imprint on her fore
head any OF the symbols of their caste, or
worship She is excluded from all ceremo-
MES of joy; especially that Of marriage.
where her appearance would be considered
an evil omen.
The prohibition of second marriage, to-
ge,her with the wretched state of widow
after the death of her protector, and the de-
testation in which she is held by the people.
| 10 uO uouDt hHt tiuC Iduct WY MiNONuOOu
is regarded as worse than death Hence
the burning Of widows, and the burying
them alive with the deceased husband. -
The following remarks from the Able Du-
| bois, than whom no one has ever enjoyed
better opportunities of becoming acquainted
with the domestic habits of the Hindoos, ex-
hibit this subject in its true light Never do
we feel more forcibly than when contem.
plating such exhibitions Of idolairy as the
| following, that nothing but the gospel can
raise the degraded females Of India, and as.
signto woman her appropriate place among
intelligent and happy beings. Let the rea-
der listen 10 The wild and savage lamenta-
lions of Hindoo woman at the death Of her
husband and then tell me If there be no
need of remedy.
when the husband dies first, just before
his parting breath. the wife flies to her toilet
and for the last time in her life adoIns her
. self with all her jewels and finest attire
She is no sooner dressed than she return:
with marks Of the profoundest grief on hel
, countenance and throws herself on the bod,
Of her dead husband. which she embrace:
n with loud shri,ks She continues 10 clasI
/ him fas, in her arms, until the relations, WHIT
f are generally quiet spectators Of what is go
fng on, thinking she has acquitted hersel
= sufficiently of this first demonstration o
i grief aiiemp, to take her away from th'
f body. She will not yield. however. to am
thing but force, and appears TO make violen
efforts to disengage herself from their re-
straint, so as TO precipitate herselfagain up
: on the corpse But. finding herself over
powered, she must be contented with roll
:, ING upon the ground, as il she were beref
of reason, striking her bosom violently, tear
o ing of her hair in handfuls, and giving sew
eral other proofs of the sincerity OF her sor
d row. Sheis compelled to act in this man
ner, were it only in assimilation, and Il
q save appearances; as ii is all in conformit,
l. with custom, and appertains to the ceremo
!, ny OF mourning.
AFTER exhibiting these first evidences O
q despair, she gets up; and, assuming NOR
l. composed appearance, approaches the bod
= OF her husband. Addressing il in styl
L rather beyond the limits of real affection
10 she demands, "Why hast thou forsaken me
Is What evil have done that thou hast lie
me at this untimely age2 Had | not a
10 ways for thee the fondness Of a faithful wife
"a Was not attentive to household affairs?-
H. My pretty children, whom have brougl
~ thee? What will become of them, and WI
~ will protect them now thou art dead2 ID
Sc not neatly serve up thy rice2 Did not
Il devote myself 10 provide thee good eating
~ What did leave undone2 And who henc
,u forth will take care of me2 Such pathet
appeals as these she utters in sad and
n mentable tone and at each demand she pa
as SEES to allow scope to her grief which the
"a breaks forth in violent screams, and wi
ou torrents of blasphemies against The god
e. who have deprived her of her protector
us The women who are attending, wait till 81
has finished her lamentations, which the
ne re-echo nearly to the same dismal tone
he She continues to apostrophize her hu
nj band in this manner, till her wearied lun'
a. can no longer afford her the means of IN
"a, king her Affections audible, or till her exhau
ted eloquence has spen, all its store. Ii
then time for her TO withdraw"
he Rats and Boa Constrietor.-Many OF I
50. inhabitants at Para are said to keep be
ia snakes in their houses for the purpose OF {
IN stroying the rats. In the warehouse
Ids longing to Mr.. Smith, the American Ca
OIL sui, we saw very large one, which
m between fifteen and eighteen feet long:
is said it was perfectly tame, and that he ne
ere er supplied It with any food as it never
yht any mischief, he supposed it caught su
artl cient quantity of rats for its support. VIII
of we saw it, it was partly coiled round a GRO
- beam fixed to two uprights, which had be
DIS, placed there for its use 1t had lately C
-ou its slough, and the brilliancy of its COLI