Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1838-11-08

thc'r sacred books, the chant increased at
| iehs'h both IN noise and velocity, until hav &.
my worked themselves iato an ecstacy. they
| seiZeh hold of the instruments, the body kept
IN d sort OF swinging motion, plunged he
| sKewer instrument, one through each cheek
| another through the throat aud then commen ,
| ecu stabbi"g themselves with swords and
daggers, and all sorts of sharp instruments.
o'heis cut oil their tongue, aud having
roasted II in the fire, put il in their mouth
| again, when il Immediately united. thew ale
| The arsenic and the blisiering milk plant,
| whilst others munched the glass bangles as
| though they were the greatest delicacies.-
ms was all done within a half yard of my
Knees, Tor they came up close To me with
many lamps in order that might see there
was no deception; and / do assure you that
! u made me feel sick, and produced any thing
| nut an agreeable sensation on my ind, FIR
10 this moment know not what to think OF
a.. am not superstitious; and although the
colonel and numerous most respectable ma
lives had declared to me that they did actu.
ally do these things, and that il sense we're
10 be 10 amy manner trusted, they had seen
81 all done, l would, nevertheless not believe
H.. ] was told beforehand, that il reanircd
i"ilh and purity on the part Of the per form
er, and that not drop of blood would follow
out that otherwise few drops OF blood would
sometimes follow the instruments, and the
performer would receive some slight injury.
on taking my departure from the tent,
happened 10 say that should, at all events.
think more honorably of their proves if
saw them exhibit in the open face of day. and
Invested oi noise. motion, parapher ALA, &c.
on Tue following day while reclining on my
couch al about two o'clock, reading an En-
glish newspaper, without a servant or a soul
near me, ia rushed their Kazee, (priest or
judge? his hand full Of instruments, which
'nrowins upon The ground, he siezcd one,
plunged II through his cheek on the left
side, another on the right, third through
MS tongue upwards, so that il stuck into his
nose, another through his throat he then
stabbed himself with a bright sharp creese.
which entered his body about three inches
not drop of blood fell He was going "a
cut OFT his tongue, when begged OF him 10
desist. was in truth perfectly nauseated
at the sight. The man was in stale of
frenzy. and really looked frightfui, his face
SUCK Toll OF instruments, and stabbiny and
cutting himself with all his might. 1 sang
out Tor some people, and turned him out.
have now told you what have seen and
YET 1 will not ask you TO believe it, for |
know not what myself to think. There arc
many persons Of very strong minds, in other
respects, who firmly believe and who do NOT
hesitate TO declare their belief, tina. although
driven out Of Christendom, demonoIogy.
wltchcraft, necromancy, and the entire list
OF black and forbidden arts and powers are
abroad, and in full existence in India. And
must declare that ! will never again trust
my sense II did not see all that have told
you. ! examined the instruments: saw
them drawn out OF the flesh, and no scar. or
blood, or mark, left. I also saw man cal
and swallow three ounces of arsenic, and
craunch and swallow glass bangles Iunnmera-
1ie; and yet, although "seeing is believing, ;"
l Can scarcely say that believe what before
a court OF justice | would swear / have seen.