106 THIRTY-FIVE YEARS IN THE EAST. 



We were speaking about the disease of the patient, when 

 suddenly a messenger entered, with the news that the 

 Maharajah Kurruck Sing had expired a few minutes pre- 

 viously. The ceremony of the funeral-pile took place the 

 same afternoon. Three of his wives were burnt with him ; 

 and I was present at that horrid, yet remarkable spectacle. 

 The ceremony took place close to the same spot where 

 Runjeet Sing was burnt, and nearly with the same rites. 

 The court afterwards went on foot to the river, to perform 

 their ablutions, according to the custom of the country, 

 whilst I returned to my above-mentioned patient. Scarcely 

 had I arrived, when I was told that I had been called for, 

 and invited by the minister to attend immediately at the 

 fortress garden ( hazooree-bagh ), I did not lose one 

 moment, but repaired to that place, and found the minister 

 waiting for me, who, as soon as he descried me, came, and 

 seizing my hand, told me it was all over with Meean 

 Oottum Sing. My surprise was increased, upon hearing 

 that a piece of the wall falling upon him and the royal 

 prince, No-Nehal, had crushed them beneath its frag- 

 ments. Oottum Sing was killed instantly, and the royal 

 prince considerably hurt. The minister conducted me to a 

 tent, where I saw the prince; but he (the minister) en-- 

 joined me, in the most energetic manner, not to speak about 

 that event to any one. The prince was on his bed, his 

 head most awfully crushed, and his state was such that no 

 hope of his recovery existed. With that conviction I left 

 the tent, and whispered to the minister, in so low a tone 

 that no one else could hear it, " IMedical art can do nothing 

 to relieve the unfortunate prince ;" upon which, the minister 

 requested me to wait there while he re-entered the tent, 

 and, after a short stay therein, he came out, addressing 

 me loud enough to be heard by all the assembly, who listen- 

 ed attentively, asking " whether they might give some 

 soup to the Koonwar Saheb ( royal prince ), he wishing to 

 have some." Whereupon 1 answered, " Of course ; he is in 

 need only of parsley ;" — a proverb applied to those danger- 

 ously ill, and not expected to live. The minister's intention 



