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Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software. The text has not been manually corrected and should not be relied on to be an accurate representation of the item.
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fcet high , and having a raised gangway of about ten paces , leading to it from tbe covered sheds ( behind ) afbremefcr tioaed . Those ftmmces wese filled three or four feet dfefcp with dry faggots , and when fully lighted , some Bra mins brought out the corpse from the centre--shed , and , proceeding to the side of the furnace > threw it in * About half an hour after this , the woman , who was in the shed to the left , ( where she had been previously brought in a covered chafr , highly decorated , aad carried by people dressed in white , &c . ) came forth , attended by some
, Bramins very gaily drest , and having a small tame bird , of the dove kind , perched on her head . She then walked leisurely forward to the -edge of the furnace , gradually inclined herself forwards , and made a sudden spring forwards and headlong into the fire ; when the bird flew away , and the
persons who surrounded the ranraee instantly threw in great quantities of dry leaves , &c . so as to raise the flame to a great height . In about another half hour , the other woman made her appearance from the -shed to the right , and walked forward on the gangway in the same manner , but evidently afraid and unwillingly , and when she eame 4 > o the brink or the furnace , she
hesitated some- minutes , till the Bra- * mins threatening to throw her in , ( which would have obliterated the merit of her sacrifice , ) she called up resolution , and plunged into the fire as
the other did . The spectators , who were extremely numerous , including the Royal family , princes , women , children , &c ., behaved with considerable order and decency , rather serious than otherwise : after the fire was
burnt out they told us the bones wotild be collected and buried by the Bramins in one grave as usual , and as appeared to have been done all round on former occasion ^ These detes table sacrifices to ignorance are rather common , and we were informed , that but a little ore-***» to our arrival , oite of the Rajahs
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of Bally had died , and that thirty of his wives were burnt at Ms burnings several of whom wete thrown into the fire . It may be observed , that at the man ' s death all his wives an *
separately interrogated , whether they will be burned and go to paradise with him or live as slaves . If they choose the former , as they generally do , they are not allowed to retract afterwards ; if they do , they are thrust through with a dagger , or thrown into the fire , which roba them of the merit df their
suffering . These people , though fofc lowing the Hindoo customs , are ftytf from being % ig *> ted to them , and tlm Mussulman , who have been conquered by them , or become converts from their Hinduism , enjoy full toleration under their srovernmeni ; .
These islands lie in the tract feetween Atlantic-America , IHterope ; Hindostan and China ; and ships going thither daring the ff . W . motfsoon , © r returning thenfce during the 8 . Bl
monsoon , tisually stop at one of these two islands to fill up their water , and procure refreshments , which , in consequence of the numerous population and consequently improved state of cultivation , are both cheap and abundant . Missionaries established on
these islands would be much mom comfortable than at many other f * i » - tkms where they now are , aiad if preachers of genume Christianity , their success would be great , and by occupying themselves in teaching
theltnowledge of letters and useful arts , and , ' at the snvae time , ca ^ rrying ^ merchandise , as Christians should do , they wotild defray thjear expenses , and furnish themselves with increased means
of doing good . The mode in which the Quakers carry on trade is , I think * a good model of such dealings as"I here suggest , always observing that mercantile views should he reckoned
subordinate to the main object 0 « f eifetending Christianity both by piT ^ pt and example . *
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€ uT $ orj £ MemQrrks € m the Islund Borneo . I 0 f
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Citation
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Monthly Repository (1806-1838) and Unitarian Chronicle (1832-1833), Feb. 2, 1822, page 101, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/mruc/issues/vm2-ncseproduct2509/page/37/
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