Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1885-10-09

eldest son Is closest to the body " ~
he who carries the pot containing the
Gre. and II IL his duty to start into
fame the straw. lie Is dressed in white,
and upon his dress are great patches OF
red, Ike blood-ciots. The pyre is but
o foot or so high, resting on a bed OF
straw. After the sioleful chants have
hsen sung, and after he has thrice
marched around the pyre, be ignites
the fire, ard few seconds after thin
wreath Of smoke ascending heavenward
tells that the last rite has been success
fully performed. The funeral ceremo-
MES over. the party, including those
who are nearest OF kin, repair TO the. de-
ccased's late dwelling, and there inquire
into the affairs Of the departed one, and
make an inventory Of his effects.
A marriage and funeral are affairs
much TO be dreaded bya wealthy Him.
doc, for on either occasion there has to
be considerable spent on feasting not
only the relatives, but host OF de-
pendents; and. as without feast the
soul of the departed one is in danger OF
not tasting the joys Of the life here
after, funeral least is really often the
real source Of the woe on such occa-
sion. ASS matter Of course the Brah-
Minis figure conspicuously, for 1t IS
hoped that through their intercessions
will the dead man gain heavenly bliss.
The ceremonies that have just been
described obtain only in the upper por-
ton of india, which may be said to IN
clude every northern province. In
Madras matters are arranged more SCI
entiiically. There much Of the hideous-
ness that is so revolving to person OF
delicate nerves is hidden. There are
no fierce flames to be seen cracking
around and burning the corpse, no ter
ribly offensive odors, but, on the con-
trary. at high-caste funeral there Is
TO be seen the greatest respect paid 10
the dead, and also every possible ar
rangement to deprive the funeral OF Its
ehastly effect. The body is laid in
sloping position, resting on heavy bed
of dry straw. This straw bed rests
upon a solid stone foundation imbe1ded
in cement. When the straw has been
laid and besprinkled three times slightly
with holy water the body is laid upon
it. The legs are crooked up tailor
fashion. and the body is clothed in pure
white of peculiar linen used solely for
the shrouding Of the dead. The
corpse is then covered with white
flowers, the only part that is visible
being the face. The cheeks are painted
bright red. After the surviving son has
passed around the pyre three times,
muttering a mantram, with the pot IN
hand containing the holy fire, he lights
the pyre. The straw is speedily ablaze,
and the slight layer Of wood is soon
burning. and when the flames begin to
touch the body it is covered with
thick coating of mud. so that the corpse
is actually burned within covering. 1t
is thus left for three days. when this
coating Of mud is broken open. and the
collected ashes are thrown into the adj
jacent river.
No sooner has the mourning eoriege
left the spot where under the mud dome
is burning the corpse than the eldest
son prepares himself for the last rite OF
the ceremony. lie disrobes entirely.
and. taking up his position near the late
pyre. gets shaved from head to foot,
the razor passing over every inch of his
body's surface. Here, as in Northern
India, the funeral feast is observed rig
idly, and the number of people fed is
generally more than the purse Of the
dead man can actually afford.
Death in India is not looked upon
with that mysterious awe as in more
northern countries. Its presence is 80
universal, its operation so rapid. and
the removal so sudden, either by burn
ing or burial. that the bereaved have
never the time given them to indulge in
the luxury Of grief by the unpleasant
spectacle Of having the dead in their
midst. Funeral corieges in all parts of
India are disorderly, and it is not UNI
common for them to indulge in unseen
ly fighting with each other when
they are under the impression
( that one of them is perhaps
Sinking his portion of the load
when carrying the corpse to the & hat.
Perhaps never to better advantage does
the philosophical nature Of the Hlndoc
show than on the occasion of a death
Rarely does a mother, even when al
most beside herself with grief over the
close approaching death of her son
once make moan after the breath ha'
left the body. death has come" sh'
saws. 80 and hence let there be no weep
ing And hired mourners arc engaged
for that unpleasant task, while she vii
with fearless eyes follow the remains
her child.