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a round pil is dug, of a depth sufficient for a man to stand up- 

 right, into which the self-devoted victim descends, and the earth 

 is gradually thrown on, until it entirely covers him. A tomb of 

 solid masonry is immediately erected over his head, and solemn 

 rites and flowery offerings are performed at stated periods, in me- 

 mory of a saint who is supposed to have rendered an acceptable 

 sacrifice to the destructive power, or some other deity in the Hin- 

 doo mythology. 



In some particular castes, the Hindoo widows, instead of burn- 

 ing themselves on the funeral pile of their hushands, are buried 

 alive with the dead body. The deluded female, with the utmost 

 composure, seats herself near the deceased in an upright posture; 

 when the earth is gently filled around her, until it reaches her 

 mouth; it is then thrown on in large quantities, that she may be 

 the sooner suffocated. 



Instances occur of the Suttee, or Hindoo widow who has thus 

 devoted herself to death, being reclaimed; but they are very un- 

 common. Sir Charles Malet has communicated to me an event 

 of this kind, which happened during his embassy at Poonah, on 

 the 5th of September 17.92, as related in the following extract from 

 his diary. 



" An extraordinary incident happened this day. A sepoy of 

 my guard, of the Mharatta, or Columbee tribe, died ; his wife imme- 

 diately declared herself a suttee; that is, resolved to devote her- 

 self to the flames with his body: she accordingly assumed the 

 yellow garment, the turban, the mirror, and all other insignia usual 

 on such occasions. When informed of her resolution, I desired 

 the officer of the guard, captain H , to endeavour to divert 



