﻿HEREDITARY LIVING DEITY. 593 



visit in the eveninpj to Doulut Ra,o Sendh^eea, 

 letnni witljout delay to Bombay.''' The Deo con- 

 tinaed some mimttes in a state of apparent cogita- 

 tion, sometimes fixing his eyes, but vvithoiit "spe- 

 culation," on us or other objects. He presently 

 ivhispcred one of the Bramins, and we were desired 

 to ask any question or questions we pleased, as that, 

 prob'ibly, futurity would be opened to us. We were 

 not altogether prepared for this ; however, we im- 

 jnediarely desired to know the result of the present 

 Avar between England ViX\d France, and when it would 

 be terminated. It was communicated in a wlcisper, 

 and in like manner directly answered by the Deo ; 

 Avheu the Bramin declared aloud that the existing 

 war would assuredly terminate triumphantly and 

 advantageously to the English within six moons. 

 We were, for fear of trespassing, rather sparing of 

 our questions. 



The Bi'uhmucfun^ee had expressed some surprise and 

 displeasure at the accounts we had previously given 

 of this hereditary living Deity, and did not at thi^ 

 visit deport himself with such gravity and decorum 

 as it is common for Brajnins to assume. He would 

 not profess any faith in the power ascribed to the 

 Deo, of M'orking miracles, lie required, he said, 

 ocular demonstrution of the existence of that po'.ver; 

 nor would he credit the prophetic spirit, until mani- 

 fested by the fulfilment of the prediction. This, 

 particularly the hrst want of faith, aftbrded great 

 room to gall him in argument, as he did not perhaps 

 foresee the extent of tlie objection • for he acknow- 

 ledged he had never seen a miracle performed, al- 

 though he Avould not disavow his belief in many. 

 Following the bent of his inquisitive disposrnon, he 

 asked the names of several persons near him, who 

 happening to be of the reigning family, assumed the 

 patronymic final of Dko, on which he was inclined 

 to be jocose ; and we were, indeed, obliged to re- 



4 press 



