Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1894-11-14
HOW THE ORIENTALS CREMATE.

H~-~~
HOW THE oRIENTALS cREMATE.
Open Fires rn Which the Body Rises to .
Sitting Posture.
In travelling through India large bon
fires are frequently to be seen in seclud
ed spots on the outskirts of cities, sur
rounded by apparently merrymaking
circles of natives. One afternoon while
wandering through the suburbs of Bonn
bay to escape for awhile the hustle and
confusion of this magnificent city of
temples and palaces discovered through
the trees in the distance the familiar
bonfire. Being an American, with the
bump of curiosity strongly developed,
an irresistible desire to approach this
particular spot predominated. The scene
contrasted strangely with what was an
ticipated A group of men sat piously
guarding the sacred fire, for it proved to
be that the last rites were beingenacted
to kinsman.
Among this particular caste the last
tribute to the dead is one striking in its
solemn originality. When life becomes
extinct, the body of the deceased,
strongly impregnated with the odor OF
sweet spices, is swathed in the finest
linen and permitted to remain a few
hours in the midst of the bereaved
friends, whose lamentations and strange
wailings, as if from another world, are,
to say the least, appalling. In token of
their intense grief each member of the
family submits Immediately to the oper-
alton of having the hair cut off the
head. Should it be a widow who is left
to mourn, as her sorrow is still greater,
her head is completely shaved. These
daughters of the east overflow with pride
for their beautiful tresses; hence it is
that it is sacrificed at the altar of the
dead.
Meanwhile the remains, with much
ceremony. are borne forth on wagon,
with an arch of rush mating of consid-
erable height concealing it from the
vulgar gaze. 1t is usually drawn by
bullocks and accompanied by immediate
friends only to receive earth last peace
Offering at the shrine of the gods. Ar
irving at the holy place, where the
great fire already begins to loom out
under the canopy of heaven, the deceas-
ed is taken from the bier and placed,
with much solemnity, in the heat of the
yet slowly kindling brands. The men,
wrapped in the purest white sheets,
Withdraw to a little distance under the
shade Not word is spoken; no re-
QUEEN sung. The time is devoted to
silent supplications, to the gods, whose
brazen or stone figures stand near by in
attitudes Of the profoundest humility.
At intervals, raising their heads ap-
parently, then falling to the earth on
their faces, again standing with their
arms extended, they offer their petit
tions. A few sit gloomily under the
olive trees, whose duty it is to keep the
fire up to certain pitch, never seeming
to relax muscle.
Suddenly the gestures cease. An at
titude of intense anxiety now prevails
The anxious eyes are fixed severely on
the fire that is slowly consuming the
remains of their fellow man. They look
expectant, as if on the alert for some
thing. Presently the body, released of
its pinions, severed by the fire, moves.
springs perhaps to an upright position
amid the flames, scattering the fire in
all directions 1t is sight revolving
and horrible in the extreme, causing
even little CONSERVATION among the
natives To the stranger the spectacle
is agonizing to behold, for it seems a
human soul urging and swaying amid
whirling mass of blue vapor as if
struggling in Deaths agony. We were
told that when the fire reaches a partic-
ular portion of the back the contraction
causes the body to rise to sitting posi-
tion. All the mourners in one accord
call upon the name of the Most High,
then rush to the spot and press heavily
on the CHASTITY figure with great poles,
each moment with renewed vigor, until
it resists no longer and sinks, to be
finally lost amid the fury of the flames,
the fire having by this time increased to
its height.
Once more the mourners seek their
retreat and PROSTATE themselves silent
ly at the feet of the deities for some
moments, then utter loudly ejacula-
tions and supplications to the gods, this
time, if possible, with greater solemni
ty and reverence. Then they resume
their former positions, to keep again
their vigil of the dead The voices die
out, and in silent meditation they pa
tiently watch the embers smolder away
until all is over and the ashes of their
kinsman are floating widely through
the air.-Boston Transcript.
Cold In the Head.
Colds in the head become prevalent
with the approach of winter. People
nfto,, och boyx, fboco fro,, h1oc cOyp.