421 



another, of similar population and fertility, belonged to a tribe of 

 Gosannecs, or Hindoo mendicants. 



Besides the portions of grain set apart for the charitable pur- 

 poses already mentioned, in many places before the final allot- 

 ment of the crops between the government and cultivators, a con- 

 siderable quantity of grain is appropriated for the gods, brah- 

 mins, astrologers, and others, not particularized in my division. 

 The gods and brahmins are every where well fed; not only from 

 the general stock of grain, but by the fruits, meal, and dainties 

 offered every morning in the temple. The story of Bel and the 

 dragon was not confined to Babylon ; it is daily realized in India, 

 where it would be happy if all the offerings and sacrifices were as 

 innocent. But surely a religion which tolerates lasciviousness, and 

 dedicates the delicate virgin to lingam,orthe lustful priests of Jag- 

 gernaut, requires some reformation. This is an unpleasant sub- 

 ject; but such expositions are necessary in the present system of 

 false philosophy and general toleration. Thus writes the amiable 

 Bernier, in the seventeenth century. 



" Les brahmens, ces fourbes prennent une jeune fille, des plus 

 "belles qui se trouve entre-eux, pour etre l'espouse de Jagger- 

 " naut; ils la laissentla nuit dans le temple, ou ils l'ont transporter 

 " en grand* ceremonie, avec l'idole; luy donnant a entendre que 

 " Jaggernaut viendra dormir avec elk; et luy ordennent de luy 

 " demander si l'annee sera fertile &c. cependant un de ces impos- 

 " teurs enlre 14 dedans la nuit, par une petite parte de derriere, 

 '• jouit de cette fille, et luy fait acroire tout ce que bon luy semble; 

 " et le lendemain qu'on la transporte de ce temple dans un autre, 



