Book II. Travels in India. 



other Sweet-woods. But the Idolaters do not only burn the Bodies of the dead, 

 but the Bodies of the living. They fcruple to kill a fèrpent, or a loufe. but ac- 

 count it a meritorious thing to burn a living Wife with the Body of the deceas'd 

 Husband. 



CHAP. X. 



How the Wives are burnt in India with the Bodies of their 



deceased Husbands. 



IT isaffo an ancient cuftom among the Indians ffozt the Husband happening to dye a 

 the Wife can never marry again. So that as foon as the Man is dead, the Wife 

 retires to bewail her Husband $ fome days after that, they (have otf her hair; 

 ihe lays afide all the ornaments of her apparel ; fhe takes off from her arms and 

 Jegs the Bracelets which her Husband put on when he efpous'd her. in token of her 

 fubmiffion, and her being chain'd to him : and all the reft of her life (he lives 

 flighted and defpis'd, and in a worfe condition than a Slave in the very Houfe 

 where fhe was Miftrefs before. This unfortunate condition caufes them to hate 

 life, fo that they rather choofe to be buri'd alive with the body of their deceas'd 

 Husbands, then to live the fcorn and contempt of all the World. Befides that, 

 the Bramins make them believe, that in dying after that manner, they fhall re- 

 vive again with him in another World, with more honour and more advantages 

 than they enjoy'd before. Thefe are the motives that perfwade the Women to 

 burn with their Husbands ; befides that, the Priefts flatter them with a hope, 

 that while they are in the midft of the flames , before they expire , Ram will 

 appear, and reveal wonderful vifions to them ; and that after their Souk 

 have tranfmigrated into various Bodies, they fhall at length obtain a high degree 

 of Honour to eternity. 



However, there is no Woman that can burn with her Husband's body, till fhe 

 has the leave of the Governor of the place where fhe inhabits, who being a Ma- 

 bumetan, and abhorring that execrable cuftom of Self-murder, is very fhy to per- 

 iapt them. Befides, there are none but Widows that have no children, that lye 

 under the reproach that forces them to violent death. For as for the Widows 

 that have children, they are by no means permitted to burn themfelves ; buf 

 quite the contrary, they are commanded to live for the education of the chil- 

 dren. Thofè Women whom the Governour will not permit to burn themfelves, 

 fp end the reft of their lives in doing Penance, and performing works of Charity. 

 Some make it their bufinefs to fit upon the Road to boyl certain Pulfë in water, 

 and to give the liquor to Travellers to drink. Others fit with fire always ready 

 for them to light their Tobacco. Others make vows to eat nothing but the un- 

 digefted grains which they find in Cow- dung. 



The Governour finding no perfwafions will alter the Woman's refolution, but 

 more efpecially perceiving by the fign which his Secretary makes him, that he has 

 receiv'd the Coin, in a furly manner gives the Woman leave, bidding the Devi! 

 take her and all her kindred. 



When they have got this leave, their Mufick begins to ftrike up, and away they 

 ding to the Houfe of the deceas'd, with Drums beating, and Flutes playing before 

 them $ and in that manner they accompany the perfbn that is to be burnt to the 

 place appointed. All the kindred and friends of the Widow that is to dye, come 

 to her, and congratulate her for the happinefs fhe is to enjoy in the other World : 

 and for the honour which the Cajh fhe is of receives by her generous refolutionj 

 fhe drefies her felf as fhe were going to be marri'd, and fhe is conducted in tri- 

 umph to the place of execution. For the noife is loud of Mufical Inltruments, 

 and Womens Voices, that follow her finging Songs in honour of the miferable 

 creature that is going to dye. The Bramins that accompany her, exhort her to 

 give publick teftimonies of her conftancy and courage : and many of our Europeans 



* Z are 



