The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1886-07-24
1estriptiue artirles.
CREMATION IN INDIA.

CREM ATlON LIN INO1A.
From the San Francisco Call.
To every traveller in Hindoostan is ia
miliar the terrible call of Gram, Ram,
Such Hal |" which, being, translated into
English, means literally: "God, God is
truth |" The cry is fearful one-a cry
which, once heard, fingers with peculiar
RHYTHM in the hearers ear, for never is 1t
heard from the lips of single man, but
from many, sometimes from the lips OF
hundreds, and when borne with that ter
rible distinctness of the well-accentuated
many upon still air its effect is peculiarly
awe-striking. Still more so when at rapid
trot upon the shoulders offour white-robed
men is seen white-sheeted corpes laid
upon light bier So tightly has been
drawn the shrouding over the dead figure
that every outline of the body is distinctly
visible; and thus at quick pace hurry the
body-bearers, followed by an immense
throng, to the burning CHAT, there to burn
the body of the deceased.
Since the advent of the British into
power in India the fearful rite of suttee,
which condemned to be burnt along with
her husband his widows, has been pre-
vented; and though, even at this day, q
Hindostani burning is sight by no means
pleasant, it was much more fearful when,
along with the burning dead husband, were
burned one or more of his late wives.
The first time when that sacrifice was
clearly brought home to Englishmen was
when Job Charnock, half-pirate, half-ad-
venturer, saved the life of beautiful Ben
galee widow as she was being thrust upon
the burning pyre of her husband. Job
Charnock laid the foundation of the pres
ept capital of India, Calcutta, and it was
at its present site where the gallant sailor
performed this hazardous saving feat.
Charnock had penetrated up the Hoogly
in quest of adventures, and seeing from his
vessel preparation for the burning of a
Hindoo he watched the process with cur
ious excitement; but when it came to Gre
mating living people, and above all young
woman, all the generous impulses of the
sailors heart were stirred, and calling to
his comrades he leaped ashore, and with
the aid of their knives he soon dispersed
the heathens, and afterward married the
woman and founded Calcutta.
There are few more affecting sights than
a Hindoo cremation. There is SO much OF
solemnity and so much of barbaric pomp
attending the ceremonial, such general
gathering of clansmep, and SO much paid
loud weeping and silent agony, that it may
be well said that not to be present at
burning is to lose one of the most interest
ing entertainments that Hindostan can
offer. No Hindoo is ever permitted to die
within four walls. Out in the open ell
must the last gasp be breathed, and the
last look of the dying man must be upon
that which is not made by hands. The
measure is not wholly one of religion, but
more of a sanitary precaution. Deeompo-
sition sets in so rapidly that it is reckless
to leave body in close and confined rooms
longer than an hour at the very most. Nc
sooner does death appear inevitable than
the friends prepare to meet 1t IN the most
philosophical manner. The dying man Is
borne out into the open air, the hired
mourners are sent for, and sit on each side
of the Intel and wall in heartrendine
manner. These mourners are women, ole
and ugly, dressed in the conventional green
red, and white dusty garments, with hail
dishevelled; barn-yard sweepings on then
head, and all the accomplishments of woe
imaginable. From constantly engaging in
such business their faces appear to have
attained the expression most beftting such
occasions.
About the amounting of the corpse the
Hindoo is most particular. 1t is rubbed
all over with the essence of roses. The
hair is oiled, the cheeks and lips are paint
ed bright vermilion, and the body swathec
Ia white linen, manufactured for that pur
pose, and SO shrouded as only to disclose
the face and hands. The bier differs ac
cording to the CASTE With the Brahmins
simplicity is observable. But the lower
the caste, and consequently the lower the
general intelligence and status in society
the more gaudily decorated the bier. Fol
instance, the grooms affect the livelies
colors, and convert their funerals into ludi
crous farces, and are more than pleased
when their efforts meet with laughing
shouts of approval. 1t is popularity O
this class that they are most jovial race
and have ever song or joke on their lips
With other castles preternatural gloom seems
ever upon their minds. A groom, on the
other hand, seizes with ayidity the occasion
of funeral, and looks upon it as mos
fortunate circumstance-an occasion upor
which to be merry, to laugh dull care away
and defy tyrant death with the cup thai
more than inebriates; for drunkenness is {
besetting vice with him, though it is I
drunkenness that takes amiable form, rare
ly ever permitting him to do more harm
thau to bite off the nose of one of his re
fractory wives.