TRANSMIGRATION OF SOULS. 223 



State of existence,' but goes to animate some other mortal 

 body, or even one belonging to the brute creation. The 

 receptacle into which it then enters is decided by the course 

 of action followed during the present life. The virtuous 

 man may rise from an humble caste to the rank of a prince, 

 or even of a Brumin, while the depraved not only sink into 

 degradation as human beings, but even have their souls 

 enclosed in the bodies of animals. With this view the 

 Hindoo oracles endeavour to establish a certain conformity 

 between the offences committed and the condition under 

 which they are expiated. The thief is converted into some 

 animal addicted to steal the articles which were the wonted 

 objects of his own depredation. The pilferer of grain is 

 metamorphosed into a rat ; while he who stole roots or 

 fruit becomes an ape. The person thus lowered in the 

 scale of being must pass through a long succession of de- 

 graded births ere he can reassume the human form and 

 endowments. This belief is so familiar to the Hindoo that 

 his conversation is filled with allusions to it. If he see 

 any one suffering under evils that seem unmerited, he at 

 once pronounces them the penalty of sin committed in a 

 previous stage and form of existence. Even on seeing a 

 cow or dog receive a severe beating, he infers that the soul 

 which animates them must, under its human shape, have 

 committed some offence worthy of such castigatiom 

 Wives who consider themselves injuriously treated by 

 their husbands, or servants by their masters, indulge the 

 earnest hope that in some future state of being they shall 

 exchange conditions, and obtain the opportunity of a signal 

 retaliation. 



This doctrine, which might seem to confine human souls 

 to this earthly sphere, does not however exclude the belief 

 that in manv instances they are conveyed to a heaven or a 

 hell. These places of reward and punishment are minutely 

 described, and set forth with that studied adaptation to 

 merits and offences which makes a striking part of the Hin- 

 doo system. There are celestial mansions, variously grad- 

 uated, to be reached only by Bramins or persons of high 

 attainments, or for performing works of extraordinary 

 sanctity. These bear much resemblance to the paradise 

 of Mohammed, being scenes of voluptuous enjoyment per- 

 fumed by sweet flowers, fanned by the softest breezes, glit- 



