The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1886-07-24

blue waters contrast beautifully with the
dark and glowing foliage of the overhang-
ing trees and the rich green of the rank
Jungle which fringes its banks. The ap-
proaches to these river-banks are generally
through ravines, deep and tortuous, caused
by the action of the OVERLOADED river du-
ring the rainy season. Over hot and burn
ing sands, which glisten in the bright sun
shine like FURNISHED silver, and cast glare
which to the unaccustomed eye is almost
binding, trudges the funeral party.
Arriving at the CHAT, little huckster-
ing has to be gone through with some Of
the wood-dealers, who have ready assorted
proper-sized pieces of wood from which to
build the pyre, this being accomplished
after no little difficulty, for Hindoo al
ways asks more than he expects to receive,
and always places his figure high, so that
after the bargain is concluded he gets ac-
tually what he first wanted. The eldest
son is closest to the body; it is he who car
ries the pot containing the fire, and it is
his duty to start into flame the straw. He
is dressed in white, and upon his dress are
great patches of red, like blood-clots. The
pyre is but foot or so high, resting on a
bed of straw. After the doleful chants
have been sung, and after he has thrice
marched around the pyre, he igniteS the
fire, and a few seconds after thin wreath
of smoke ascending heavenward tells that
the last rite has been successfully perform
ed The funeral ceremonies over, the par
ty, including those who are nearest OF kin,
repair to the deceased's late dwelling, and
there inquire into the affairs of the de-
parted one, and make an inventory of his
effects
A marriage and funeral are affairs
much to be dreaded by wealthy Hindoo,
for on either occasion there has to be con-
spent on feasting not only therel-
atives, but host of dependents; and, as
without feast the soul of the departed one
is in danger of not tasting the Joys of the
life hereafter, funeral feast is really often
the real source Of. the woe on such occasion,
As a matter of course the Brahmins figure
for it is hoped that through
their intercessions will the dead man gain
heavenly bliss.
The. ceremonies that have just been de-
scribed obtain only in the upper portion of
India, which may be said to include every
northern province. In Madras matters are
arranged more scientifically. There much
of the hideousness that is so revolving to a
person of delicate nerves is hidden. There
are no fierce flames to be seen cracking
around and burning the corpse, no terribly
offensive odors, but, on the contrary, at a
high-caste funeral there is to be seen the
greatest respect paid to the dead, and also
every possible arrangement to deprive the
funeral of its CHASTITY effect. The body is
laid in a sloping position, resting on a
heavy bed of dry straw. This straw bed
rests upon a solid stone foundation i'm
bedded 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 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 ac-
tually 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 adjacent river.
No sooner has the mourning cortege 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. He disrobes entirely, and, tax
ing 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 rigidly, 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 SO universal, its
operation so rapid, and the removal so sud
den, either by burning 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 corteges in all parts
of India are disorderly, and it is not un-
common for them to indulge in upseemly
fighting with each other when they are
under the impression that one of them is
perhaps shirking his portion of the load
when carrying the corpse to the CHAT
Perhaps never to better advantage does the
philosophical nature of the Hindoo show
than on the occasion of death. Rarely
does mother, even when almost beside