Lamoille newsdealer. [volume] (Hyde Park, Vt.) 1860-1877, 1863-06-18

counting a string OF BEADS, whlch she
held in her hand. She was just thirty
years old,-her husband twenty seven
years older.
"The government threw every obstacle
in the way of this procedure. They
were not strong enough to resort to violent
measures to prevent this abominable GUS
tom. Nothing but our religion can
abolish it, and do not believe there is
single particle of christianity in the breast
of single native in all India.
"These obstacles delayed the ceremony
until five o'clock, when the permit from
one of the chief Juhges arrived. Police
officers we're stationed to prevent anything
like compulsion, and to secure the woman
at the last moment, should she desire it.
The corpse was now placed on the ground
in an upright posture, and clean linen
crossed round the head, and about the
waist. Holy water was thrown over it
by the child, and afterward, oil by the
Brahmins. 1t was then placed upon the
pile, upon the left side. The woman now
left the palanquin and walked into the
river, supported by her brothers, who were
agitated, and required more support than
herself. She was divested of all her or
naments; her hair hanging dishevelled
about her face, which expressed perfect
resignation. Her forehead and feet were
stained with deep red She bathed in
the river, and drank little water, which
was the only nourishment she received
after her husbands death. An oath was
administered by the attending Brahmins,
which is done by putting the hand in ho-
ly water, and repeating from the Shaster
few lines. The oath was given seven
times. | forgot to say the child received
an oath before the corpse was removed.
The brothers also prayed over TIE body,
and sprinkled themselves with consecrated
water She then adjusted her own dress
which consisted of long clothes wrapped
round her form, and partly over her head
but SO as to conceal her face. She had
in her had little box, containing parting
, gifts, which she presented to her brothers
{ and to the Brahmins with the greatest
, composure. Red strings were then fasten-
} ed round her wrists. Her child now put
f a little rice in her mouth, which was the
: last thing she received. She raised her
eyes to Heaven several times during the
river ceremonies which occupied ten OF
twenty minutes. She took no notice Of
c her child; having taken leave of her fe.
r male friend and children early in the
e morning. A little cup of consecratcd
: rice was placed by the child at the head
] of the corpse. She now walked to the
: pile, and bent with lowly reverence over
< the feet of her husband, then unaided
n she passed three times around the pile
: She now seemed excited by enthusiasm
some said of a religious nature, others, oi
' affection for the dead. do not pretend
/. to say what motive actuated her; but she
r stepped the pile with actual delight, un,
y assisted by any one, and threw herself by
the side of the body, clasping his neck
t with her arm. The corpse was in the
most putrid state She put her face close
t to his; cord was slightly passed ovel
both light fagots and straw, with some
e combustible rosin, were then put upon the
a pile. and strong bamboo pole confined
| the whole all this was done by hel
!. brothers. The child then applied the fir
:, to the head of the pile which was to con
|. sumo both parents. The whole was in
Q stantly on fire. The multitude shouted
n but not groan was heard from the pile
= | hope and trust this poor victim expired
J. Immediately. She undoubtedly did
# without one struggle. Her feet and arm
J we're not confined; and after the straw
!. and fagots were burnt, we saw them il
o the same condition she had placed them.
!, This was voluntary act She wa
# resigned, self-collected aud perfectly her
J. self. Such fortitude, such magnanimity
such resolution, devoted affection, religion
d zeal, and mad deusion combined, hat
/ not conceived Of, and hope never to wit