Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1850-1854, 1850-04-19

The burning of priest in India is one Of the
most brilliant but terrible spectacles Of oathen-
ism. We find this account of it in the recent
life of Mrs. Judson, written by her successor:
This honor is paid TO priests of high rank only,
and is usually shared by several persons in con-
cert; the bodies having been preserved for the
occasion, by q process which reduces them TO
teshess, cork-like mummies. The principal
preparations for the festival are superintendent by
the head men of the several districts each dis
trct training it's separate band of dancers and mu-
scians, and contributing the usual gllttering pa
raphernaIia. The construction OF an engine,
which shall rival that of neighborlng district in
lighting the funeral pile, is the most important
and difficult part of the preparation. A log of
wood, qored and filled with gunpoWder, consti-
tutes the body of the machine, which is so plan
ned as to act on nearly the same principle as
rocket: but as it is intended to run on the ground
instead of rising through the air, it is placed on
wheels, and has, altogether, the appearance of a
low car-The full-sized figure of a warrior, a
white elephant, some fabulous monster, or what
ever else fancy may design, standing i'll an i'm
posing attitude occupies The platform above the
tube, and gives to the machine an appearance OF
animated life.
On The morning of the gala day, the various
parties decked in tut gayest OF their festive hne
ry, and prece led by musicians and dancers, move
in procession TO the ground chosen for the exhi-
biiion--a large, open plain. The bodies of the
dead Cor rather returned) priests having been
previously restored to their original comeliness,
by thick coating o: wax, covered with gold leaf,
are conveyed in the manner described by Mrs
BOardman.
Com; aaies ofprofessional mourners follow the
cars, ana fill the air with their lamentations and
The bearers frequently pause pnd turn their faces
hor Yard, Us though their grief was too great to
allow them to proceed. When they reach the
ground, the fra, but magnificent collins, still
surrounded by their gorgeous and combustble
trsppinrs, are placed on elevated platform, ha-
vim the taggots underneath, and canOpiad by a
graduated root, surmounted by glittering spire.
The musicians strike up some popular, sacred
air, the dancers ply their art, and the competition
commences. The rumbling of wheels, and the
rushing sound of the firing engine, soon mInge
with the shouts of the spectators; bets run high
and the interest becomes intense. Every eye IN
the vast multitude is fixed on the seemingly in
teiligent machine, as it hurries along the ground
leaving behind it long train OF fire and smoke,
and each moment increasing its speed as 1t draws
near the combustible pyre. This amusement
continues during the greater part of the day; the
excitement of the throng deepening as the con-
test advances to close. At last the pile Is light
ed, and consumed with various ceremonies. The
relics of the honored dead are usually collected
and preserved in an urn; the crowds dispense ;
and-the victorious party returns at nghttati, amid
shouts of congrttulation and triumphant rejo-
Cings.