430 



Another act of tyranny sometimes practised by the Mahrattas, 

 is called the sheep-skin death. On this occasion the culprit is 

 stripped naked, and a sheep being killed, the warm skin of the 

 animal is immediately stretched to the utmost, and sewed tight 

 over the prisoner's body; he is then conducted to the rial roof of 

 the prison, and exposed to the fervour of a tropical sun, the skin 

 contracting by the heat, draws with it the flesh of the agonizing 

 wretch; until putrefaction, hunger and thirst terminate his suf- 

 ferings. 



When we compare the benevolent precepts of the gospel, and 

 the conduct of its professors, with such practices, the superiority 

 of its doctrines, and the moral dignity of a christian must be 

 allowed a glorious pre-eminence ! The divine rule, of doing unto 

 others as we would they should do unto us, outweighs the whole 

 code of Menu, and all the moral precepts of the Koran. I had 

 not so many opportunities of being personally acquainted with the 

 rapacity of the Mahomedans, as of the venality and corruption of 

 the Hindoos, either in the Cutcheree court, or the Adawlel; but I 

 imagine there is very little difference, especially in the revenue 

 department. Orme's scale of cruelty and oppression is equally 

 true under both governments: although the climax presents a sad 

 picture of human depravity, its truth must be confirmed by every 

 impartial observer. "The havaldar plunders the village, and is 

 himself fleeced by the zemindar; the zemindar by the phousdar; 

 the phousdar by the nabob, or his duan. The duan is the nabob's 

 head slave; and the nabob compounds on the best terms he can 

 make with his soubah on the throne. Wherever this gradation is 

 interrupted bloodshed ensues!" 



