AND PRACTICES OF THE HINDUS. 35 J 



proceeded from the difficulty of procuring husband* 

 for them, in consequence of the great expences at- 

 attending the marriages of this class of people. 



It will naturally occur to the Society to ask, by 

 what mode a race of men could be continued under 

 the existence of the horrid custom which I have de- 

 scribed. To this my documents enable me to reply, 

 partly from the exceptions to the general custom, 

 which were occasionally admitted by the more wealthy 

 Rajekoomars ; more particularly those who happened 

 to have no male issue ; but chiefly by intermarriages 

 with other Rajepoot families, to Which the Rajecoomars 

 were compelled by necessity. 



A prohibition enforced by the denunciation of 

 the severest temporal penalties, would have little 

 efficacy in abolishing a custom which existed in op- 

 position to the feelings of humanity and natural 

 affection ; and the sanction of that religion which the 

 Rajekoomars professed was appealed to, in aid of the 

 ordinances of civil authority. Upon this principle 

 an engagement, binding themselves to desist in 

 future from the barbarous practice of causing the 

 death of their female children, was prepared, and 

 circulated amongst the Rajekoomars for their signature ; 

 and as it was also discovered that the same custom 

 prevailed, though in a less degree, amongst a smaller 

 tribe of people also, within the province of Benares^ 

 called RajebunseSy measures were adopted at the same 

 time, to make them sensible of its iniquity, and to 

 procure from them a subscription similar to that ex- 

 acted from tjie Rajekoomars. 



A as The 



