The Canton mail., 1876-02-05
Emmett L. Ross & Co., Proprietors.
VOLUME XI.


TOT tnfs purpose the fakIr was shut
up I'm a wooden box, which was placed
IN small apartment below The Msddle
of the ground: there was folding
door to his box, which was secured by
| a lock and kew. Surrounding this
apartment, there was the garden-house,
\ the door of which WIS likewise locked,
and outside the whole 4 high wall,
having its doorway built iip with
bricks and mud. In order to prevent
any one from approaching the place, a
line OF sentriss was placed and relieved
at regular intervals. The strictest
watch was kept up for the space of
forty days and forty nights, at the ex-
Piration of which period the Meha-
Rajah, attended by his grandson and
several of his sit-iars, as well as Gener-
al Ventura, Captain Wade, and my
self, proceeded to disinter the fakir.
The bricks and mud were removed
from the outer doorway; the door of
the garden-house was next unlocked;
and lastly, that of the wooden box
containing the fakir the latter was
found covered with a white sheet, on
removing which the figure of the man
presented itself in sitting posture:
his legs and arms were pressed to his
sides, his legs and thighs crossed. The
first step of the operation of res,lscita-
tion consisted in pouring over his head
a quantity of warm water; alter this
hot cake of otta (wheat fiour) was
placed on the crown of his head; a
plIg of wax was next removed from
one of his nostrils, and on this being
dOne,. the man breathed strongly
through it. The mouth was now et,e.i-
ed, and the tongue, which had been
closely applied To the roof o. the
mouth, brought forward, and both it
and the lips anointed with ghee (clari-
fed butter). During this part of the
proceeding, l could not feel any pulsa-
tion at the wrist. though the temporal
ture of the body was much above the
natural standard of health. The legs
and arms being extended, and the eye
lids raised, the former were well rub
bed, and a little ghee was applied to
the latter; the eyeballs presented dim
suHused appearance, like those of
SIGNS OF RETURNING ANIMATION.
The pulse became i,efceptible at the
wrist, whilst the unnatural tempera-
ture of the body rapidly diminished.
He made several Intellectual efforts to
speak, and at length uttered few
words, but in tone SO low and feeble |
as to render them inaudible.- BY and |
by his speech was re-established, and |
he recognized some of the bystanders,
and addressed the Maha-Rajah, who |
was seated opposite to him watching
all his movements. When the fakir |
was able to converse, the completion |
of the feat was announced by the dis
charge of guns and other demonsira-
tions of joy. A rich chain of gold was
placed round hia heck by Runjeet, and
earrings, baubles and shawls were pre-
sented to him. However extraordina>
ry this fact may appear, both to the
Europeans and natives, 1t is difficult,
II not impossible. toexPiain it on phys
iological principles. The man not
My denied his having tasted food or
drink, but even maintained that he
had stopped the function of respira-
ton during the period of forty DAYS
and nights. TO all appearance this
long fasting had not been productive
,f its usual effects, as the man seemed
to be ir rude health;S,.6 that digestion
and assimilation had apparently pro-
,eeded in the usual manner but this
ne likewise denied, and piousIy assert
ID, that during the whole time he had
enjoyed most delightful trance.
4 is well known that the natives of
Hmdoostan, by constant practice, can
bring themselves to exist on the,
smallest portion of food for. several
lays; and it is equally true that, by
ong training, the same people are
'ble, to retain the air in their lungsJ
or some minutes; but how the fInc-
ions of digestion and respirationtould
Ne arrested for such length of time,
,ppears unac3Ountable.