75 



mirth and frolic. In fact, it was the Earth, under the name of 

 Cybele, which was worshipped at the commencement of that genial 

 season, Avhen she receives from the sun those vivifying rays which 

 are so adapted to the production of fruits and flowers. Let this 

 ceremony be compared with the Hindoo celebration of the Hooli, 

 at the same period of the year. The epithet of purple is constantly 

 given to the spring by the Roman poets, in allusion to the blos- 

 soms which nature, as it were in sport, scatters over the earth with 

 such variety and profusion. The Hindoos design the same idea in 

 the purple powder Abir, which they throw about at each other 

 with so much sportive pleasantry. The objects of worship with the 

 Hindoos are the earth and fire ; that genial warmth which pervades 

 all nature at that period of the year. The licentiousness of the 

 songs and dances at this season was intended to express the effects 

 of that warmth on all animated objects. The Hindoos have like- 

 wise their masquerading processions, in which gods and goddesses, 

 rajahs and ranees, are represented ; and the ceremonies are con- 

 cluded by burning the past or deceased year, and welcoming the 

 renovation of nature." 



During the festival of the Hooli, when hilarity and mirth per- 

 vade every class of society, one subject of diversion is to send 

 people on errands and expeditions that are to end in disappoint- 

 ment, and raise a laugh at the expense of the person sent. This 

 is very similar to the first day of April in England. The Hooli is 

 always in the month of March, and the last day is the greatest 

 holiday. 



The Hindoo festival of Vastu Puja, on the day when the pro- 

 prietors of land worship the earth and fire, is similar to that of 



