The Idaho world. [volume] (Idaho City, Idaho Territory) 1864-1918, 1871-01-26

FuMEs-GATHERING THE ASHES.
The Rajah of Koapore, who died yesterday
was little more than 20 years of age, and was
travelling for his education. He had been
brought up at Bombay, and his sovereignty ex
tended over population of 100000 inhabi-
tants. The extreme darkness of his CON-
pexon did not prevent him from being hand
some young man, of middle height, with n
broad chest, and singularly expressive large
eyes In the course of his travels he caught,
while skating Mt Innspruck the germs of the
illness which the severity OF that climate rap
IDLY augmented. 1t was necessary TO convey
him to his bedroom Immediately on his arrival
III Florence. lie received the regular attend
ance of two English physicians, NM. FrectZer
and Brow(), who called in for consultation
Professors Cipriani and Ghinozzi. Whilst fol-
lowing the prescriptions OF these two physi-
cians the traditional Hindoo means were not
neglected, such as keeping near the patient do
meStlc animals, believed 10 act as absorbents
OF the noxious principles, or ut least as pre-
servatiyes and disntectants for the attendants
OF the patient These animals ought to have
been thrown from the windows into the street
but as that could not BIZ practiced here, they
were simply thrown into courtyard. Not
wlthstanding the various kinds ot treatment,
the Prince always got worse. Unable To re-
main any longer in bed, he insisted on being
laid on the carpet with his legs crossed. lh
this posture he died, and was found by DR.
Pasissh whose duty il was US district medical
officer. 10 verify the disease. Later, the corpse
was examined by DR. Bargiotti. The Adede.
Camp OF the Prince, assisted by the members
ot the British Legation, took the necessary
| steps ut the municipality To have the funeral
rites performed according 10 the Hindoo fash.
ion. VI. CLOTH Il municipal tunctiunary, acted
rs interpreter 10 the Aide-de- Camp, who spoke
only English. and the register of his death WAS
drawn up IN his presence. IN the office of Gov
crnment Registration. The municipality per-
united the ceremony 10 take place; certain
other authorities raised difficulties which, how.
ever, were soon removed.
The ceremony was fixed for | o'clock after
midnight, ut the extreme point oil the Casclue,
just by the side of the river in accordance
With the prescription of Nlshnu. The pro-
syndlc charged Drs. Bargiottl aud Passg, NJ.
Cluttl, aud the head ot the munich pal police 10
be- III attendance. Besides, measures had been
taken. IN concert with the government police
authorities. that the Guards de- Vile with
their commanding officer. aud the Guards OF
Public Safety should be IN attendance. In the
evening the corpse was prepared aud dressed
turban, bearing the distinctive marks of the
deceased, and over this was stretched large
scarlet mantle, richly embroidered with gold
The arms had bracelets, and the neck a pearl
necklace. At ! o'clock in the morning the
corpse was placed in an omnibus. in which the
attendants of the Prince took their seats. Be-
hind the omnibus came other carriages, with
the persons We have already referred to. and
many other carriages filled with sightscers.
On arriving at the spot referred To, the cortcge
found a crowd much greater than was expect
ed, especially of ladies; and there was also the
Chevalcr Amour, the head OF the government
police.
4 funeral pile was prepared; it was about
ii feet in height and feet in length, and u
feet in breadth. The corpse had been stretched
on the ground bctel was placed in the mouth.
while a Brahmln wearing a large robe OF white
linen covering the head offered up prayers
while kneading dough. The attendants scat
tered on the pile camphor and various other
kinds of perfumes The death having again
been officially verified, the corpse was placed
on the pile. and the board on which it had been
stretched out immediately removed.
Perfumes and essences were again strewed
over the corpse, and the dough- broken into
pieces, placed by ITS side More wood placed
closed over by the addition of other pieces of
wood. All this while camphor and other per-
fumes were being constantly thrown on the
pile. At 2 o'clock the whole was covered with
fagots; they were set fire to at different points,
and "a flame Of great brightness shot cut in the
direction of Arno, into which there was at the
same time thrown the board on which the
corpse had been laid. About this time many
persons quilted the scene. The Indians con-
tnued to keep the fire alive, and to throw on
it perfumes, so rs to prevent the smell of the
burnt flesh from being perceived. The police
and some of the municipal functonaries re-
mained on the spot until O'Clock in the morn
ing. At 8 o'clock water was thrown on the
smouldering ashes.
When completely extinguished the remains
of the corpse were regiously gathered to
gether and placed in porcelain vase Every
thing which had formed part of the pile was
thrown into the water by two Indians, who
went into the middle of the river. The spot
was then swept, fresh earth was thrown on it
and traced in the form of heart, around
which was placed small vessels filed with rice
Then all the Indians knelt and prayed with
their faces to the ground. They then departed,
taking with them the funeral urn. The cere-
mony was finished The bones preserved in
the vase will at later period be thrown into
the Ganges, for the Indians believe that those
whose bones are thrown into that river will
enjoy million of happy years.
"CoME here, you mischievous little rascal,