1833.] of the Jats of Bharatpur. 279 
uneven, and as such supposed to be of especial sanctity. At any rate, 
wherever or however the belief originated, it was at one time prevalent 
throughout the world. . Even the Platonists appear to have inclined 
to it, and it was certainly esteemed by the other philosophical sects— 
nor is it perhaps much more absurd than the belief in alchemy, which 
formerly mastered the intellects of the sages and philosophers of 
Christendom, and for a time at least is supposed to have influenced _ 
the sublime genius of NewrTon*. 
The time for the marriage having thus been fixed, the day on which 
the lagan-patri (or letter containmg the marriage horoscope) shall 
be sent by the bride to the bridegroom, is then adjusted. This is 
brought by the Parohit or family priest of the bride’s father, and is 
simply a large scroll of paper, on which the day fixed on for the wed- 
ding, the aspect of the planets, the number of days during which the 
bridegroom’s body is to be anointed with jasmine oil (Chambéli-ka-tél), 
and the number of rejoicings (mangal) or days during which the 
ceremony is to last, are specified. 
The Jagan is written in Sanscrit, and together with the khilat 
which accompanies it, is received by the Raja in the inner apartments, 
on which occasion none but the females of the family, the Brahmans 
and Parohits (who have always access to the mehal), and Raja himself 
are present. 
The lagan-patri having been brought by the Parohit to the Raja, 
the latter places it on his head, in token of respect, and delivers it 
to the Brahmans in attendance, who read and explain its contents. 
The Raja is then lifted} up by the zaé{ in waiting, and carried into 
the inner apartments, where the Majz or Rant mother resides, and 
to her he gives the lJagan-patri and khilat which accompanied it. I 
should have stated above, that the dagan is tied up with yellow§ 
* Not less extraordinary was the enthusiastic belief of the Emperor JuL1an, the 
hero, legislator, and philosopher, in the virtue of the Eleusynian Mysteries and 
Grecian arts of divination. G1BBON observes, with his usual felicity of expression, 
“« By a strange contradiction, he disdained the salutary yoke of the Gospel, whilst he 
made a voluntary offering of his reason on the altars of Jupiter and Apollo.” De- 
cline and Fail, chapter xxiii. 
With regard to Sir J. Newron’s belief in the doctrines of pices I observe 
that Sir D, Brewster, in his lately published Life, (page 302,) states, that there is 
no reason to suppose that Sir I, N. did delieve in them 
+ He is lifted up, because it is considered improper that he should come in con- 
tact with the vile earth during the performance of the ceremonies. 
+t Nai or barber ; the attendants on Rajas and Sirdars at Bharatpur are all 
of this caste. Nains, females of the same caste, wait upon the Rani. 
§ It is the fayorite colour of Krisuna ; hence his synonime PirAMBER, the 
** yellow-clothed”’ deity. 
