THUGGEEISM. 39 



reached our destination, and Kellner's handsome hotel 

 opened its hospitable gates ; here I enjoyed a few days 

 repose. 



My first visit was to the School of Industry, at the 

 time a Thug establishment, or reformatory for the 

 approvers, and the children, of certain convicted 

 assassins, belonging to a hereditary sect of fanatics, 

 now happily extinct, with the exception of a few indi- 

 viduals still within its prison walls. One or two old 

 men were pointed out to me, in whose features it was 

 not difficult to recognize their savage cut-throat cha- 

 racter. (Plate III.) 



A few lines on the subject of Thuggeeism may in- 

 terest some of my readers, and I promise to be as brief 

 as possible. 



At first, perhaps a century ago, for there is no 

 authentic record as to its first appearance, Hindus only 

 were of this dread fraternity, whose emblem, a pick- 

 axe, used to accompany them upon their expeditions. 

 They were worshippers of the goddess Kali, wife of 

 Seva, representing the destroying element, whose 

 favour her devotees propitiated by human sacrifice. 

 Later the no less superstitious Moslem, tempted by the 

 prospect of rich plunder, took uj) the trade, and fre- 

 quently even joined bands organized by those of the 



