|gf ' SICETCH OF THE SIKHS, 



The constitution and usages of this national assembly will be described 

 hereafter :. jt is here only necessary- to, observe,, that its institution adds 

 one more proof to those already, stated, of the comprehensive and able 

 mindof this bold reformer, who gave,; by its foundation 5 that form of a 

 fedemtiye repiiblic, to the commonwealth >,pf the Sikhs, which was most- 

 qalejilated to rouse his followers from their indolent' habits, and deep-root^ 

 ed prejudices, by giving them a personal share in the government, and 

 placing, within the reacii of every individual, the attainment pf rank and 

 influence in the state. 



It could not be expedled that Gu'Rtt' Govind could accomplish all those 

 great schemes "he' had planned. He planted the tree, but it was not per- 

 liiitted, aC'coMing to Sikh writers, that he should see it in that maturity 



Whleh it Was destined to reach; and tfrisridheS^^ authors state, was foretold' 



I 



to him by some Brahnens skilled in necromWrity. It would be tedious to' 

 dwell on such fables,* and it is. time to return to the political life of G6- 

 V.iND, The life of this chieftain is,., in reality, marked by few events of- 

 high- inip-prtanQe, , and these aje, either ; related by Muhammedan authors,, 



' * One of the most popular of these fables states, that' iia the fe^ 6'f the Hijerah lll9y' 

 Qv'RVi Go'viNB, ;agreeai)l^ to thejdiieotidgs hfe Jki<J r?ce!Yed;froi^'4]^Qj,Z»/a/«?2«2 necronmn-. 

 cersj threw a number of rn^agical compounds, given him bj these Br ahmens, into a fire, near 

 which he continued in prayers for several days. A sword of lightning 'at last burst from the 

 flkm^ of^fire f but Go'vij^ij, instead -of seising iU'i^ s^ord' iii-^rt itindaiinted nsanner, as he was 

 i^trjiicted, : was.tlazzkd by its sple^d<Mir^ and shriiiik from it in alarm. . The sword instantly 

 Hew to, heayen, from whence a Joud vpice %ya§ heard to say, " Gu'ku'Go vind! thy wishes 

 '^'' sliall be fulfilled by thy posterity, and thy followers shall dally 'increase."' The Brahmens ' 

 were m despair at this failure; but, after deep reflecfiorij'^tbeyttjldGb'TiKD, there was sfill 

 ©ftembde of acquiring that honor, for hiniselfj- whicH Upfp'eared,' tiy the decree that had been 

 pronounced, doomed for his posterity. If he woiiild allow them to take off his head, and ^ 

 thjow it into the -fire, he would be resuscitated to the enjoyment of the greatest glory. The 

 Crzi^w excused hiinsetf from trying this experiment, declaring that he was content that hisde« 

 scendants should enjoy the fruits of that tree which he had planted. 



