326 On the Huli in Malwa. [No. 99. 



twenty-four names, Trigita, Tamuse, Dhumra, Dwanchi, Dhoonda, 

 Holica, &c. ; appeased and pleased with these names, she laughs with 

 a loud voice, bids them dismiss their fear, and promises that the evils 

 for one year are remitted, if on the day on which she was made so 

 happy, they will rejoice, clap hands, steal wood as if for war, spill and 

 steal all people's milk, &c. According to the Pudum Puran, a Rukshisi 

 named Dhoonda, obtained by worship to Sheo an exemption from all 

 evil, except such as could be inflicted on her by innocents (38), from 

 which time she began to persecute all children, and can only be pro- 

 pitiated by the ceremonies as above — . The Mithy-at-Kund, 

 a Jain authority, states the origin of the Huli as follows — A Sahukar's 

 daughter, fond of gallantry, was in the habit of meeting her lover in 

 the disguise, of a slave girl, fearing however that the girl from whom 

 she borrowed the clothes would betray her, she contrived to lock her 

 up in a room where wood was kept, and there miserably burnt her to 

 death. The spirit of the slave girl became a Bintruts Deota, or Bhootni, 

 &c. &c. &c. Such are the anilia, to be found in Hindu books, respect- 

 ing the origin of the Huli ; and they are all different. We will con- 

 clude with one more account of it, the quaint description of Hamilton. 

 " Wooli (says he) was a knight errant in times of yore, and a fierce fellow 

 in a war with some giants who infested Sindy, and carried away 

 naughty girls and boys, and made butcher's meat of them ! !" It would 

 have been easy by quotations and analogies from classical authors much 

 to have extended these remarks, but I fear you will think them already 

 too much extended ; the subject however treated of, though apparently 

 puerile, is curious and not uninstructive ; and as Malcolm remarks, " we 

 may expect to throw light on the ancient history of India from minute 

 inquiries into the origin of the usages and superstitions of the lowest 

 classes of the population." 



In a future letter some account will be given of the inscription of 

 Chandragupta, and the other inscriptions of the facsimiles of which you 

 have acknowledged the receipt (39.) 



KHAN ALL 



38. The Sanscrit ^Jir^rxsr' "fsPSrWr ^ as tne same double meaning of 



" silly" and "without sin" as has the word innocent in English. 



39. For the many errors of this imperfect and unfinished paper, the circumstances 

 under which it is drawn up must plead an apology. 



