HINDOO CUSTOMS 141 



Mr. Colebrook, in his account of the duties of 

 a faithful Hindoo Widow, in the 4th Vol. of the 

 Asiatic Researches, remarks that a Sati is of rare 

 occurrence, and I should think his observation 

 just ; for, during upwards of 18 years' residence 

 amongst these people, I never had an opportunity 

 of witnessing the ceremony. 



From the accounts lately given by missionaries 

 and others, it appears now to be very common, 

 which I attribute to the great notice that has been 

 taken of it by Europeans, if not owing to their 

 interference. In my opinion, good example, and 

 the gradually enlightening their minds, will in time 

 do more than any exertions of missionaries and 

 priests towards changing the religion of the 

 Hindoos. 



Sir Wm. Jones, in his account of the Gods of 

 Greece, Italy, and India, makes the following 

 observations : u We may assure ourselves, 

 " that neither Mussulmans nor Hindoos will ever 

 " be converted by any mission from the Church 

 " of Rome, or any other Church." 



The natives of India have a very strange me- 

 thod cf breaking in their bullocks for ploughing. 



