S26 



pile; some Hindoo females only encompass it thrice: and there 

 may be other exceptions. But in ancient and modern historj' we 

 find the numbers seven and three generally considered to be 

 sacred; the former number is most common in scripture; among 

 the Greeks and Romans the latter prevails, especially at funerals. 



Oi h rjJi; itsf) vexfov euVpt^aj- r>.o.na.v iidta; 

 Mu{i[i.sv r Ji. Homer. 



" They drive their horses thrice about the dead 

 " Lamenting." 



Ter circum aecensos cincti fulgentibus armis 

 Decurrere rogos, ter moestum funeris ignem 

 Lustravere in equis, ululatusque ore dedere. Vikg. 



Well-arm'd, thrice round the pile they march'd on foot, 

 Thrice round it rode, and with a dismal shout 

 Survey' d the rolling flames. 



The character and conduct of the young Hindoo widow ex- 

 cites our admiration and claims our pity; for although we may 

 admire the heroism, we must pity a female, biassed by a wrong 

 education, and influenced by a false religion, to make this dreadful 

 sacrifice. Christianity would have regulated her affections, have 

 taught her the delights of resignation, the necessity of fulfilling 

 her relative duties to society, and especially those implanted in the 

 maternal bosom. We gaze for a moment on the Asiatic meteor; 

 admiration and esteem accompany our judgment in contemplating 

 the fortitude and active virtues of Lady Russell, Madame de 

 Sevigne, the late Marchioness of Tavistock, and other eminent 

 females in Europe. 



