12 



When there is no hope of recovery, the patient is generally 

 removed from the bed, and laid on a platform of fresh earth, 

 either out of doors or prepared purposely in some adjoining room 

 or veranda, that he may there breathe his last. In a physical 

 sense, this removal at so critical a period must be often attended 

 with fatal consequences; though perhaps not quite so decisive as 

 that of exposing an aged parent or a dying friend on the banks 

 of the Ganges. I now only mention the circumstances as form- 

 ing part of the Hindoo religious system. After having expired 

 upon the earth, the body is carried to the water-side, and washed 

 with many ceremonies. It is then laid upon the funeral pile, that 

 the fire may have a share of the victim: the ashes are finallv 

 scattered in the air, and fall upon the water. 



During the funeral ceremony, which is solemn and affecting, 

 the brahmins address the respective elements in words to the fol- 

 lowing purport: although there may be a different mode of per- 

 forming these religious rites in other parts of Hindostan. 



O Earth! to thee we commend our brother; of thee he was 

 formed ; by thee he was sustained; and unto thee he now returns! 



O Fire! thou hadst a claim in our brother; during his life 

 he subsisted by thy influence in nature; to thee we commit his 

 body: thou emblem of purity, may his spirit be purified on enter- 

 ing a new state of existence! 



O Air! while the breath of life continued, our brother re- 

 spired by thee: his last breath is now departed; to thee we yield 

 him ! 



O Water ! thou didst contribute to the life of our brother; 

 thou wert one of his sustaining elements. His remains are now 



