1835.] Origin OMd Csremonies of the Mohurriim. ' 335 



■ sstic of the assembly beating tlieir breasts with violence, 

 ' calling at every blow alternately upon the names of fla= 

 sun and Hoosien, to which blows they keep very good 

 time v/ith the voice; while others content themsel-es 

 with the mere motion and repetition of the names. 

 They do so for a length of time, and with the concluding 

 prayers the assembly is dismissed. 



It is to be observed, that a sin,£^Ie narrator as has 

 been already stated, undertakes the v/hole process be» 

 "fore mentioned, if he is a man of parts. If not, differ- 

 ent persons are allowed to officiate at diiTerent parts of 

 the relation. Sometimes the assembly contents itself 

 with a single part of the relation. This h for vmnt of 

 good and able narrators. The mournful history ©f 

 Hoosien is composed by different authors in verse and 

 prose. Therefore the verse and prose before mentioned 

 are not of course the only compositions made use of dur- 

 ing the anniversary. 



Such are the ceremonies, observed by the Sheeahs 

 alone. They are authorized to do so by their own laws. 

 The Soonnees reject the doctrine in toto. They, how- 

 ever, admit, that good Mussulmans are to weep for the 

 loss of Hoosien. This is founded on an alleged prophetic 

 saying of the Prophet, that one that weeps for the loss 

 of Hoosien will undoubtedly go to Heaven." 

 Madras, 1th JVovember 1829. 



II. — -On the bdfit position of a prop or support ' svy,?- 

 tain a superincumbent Load on an inclined plojie. 

 By a Miner. 



To the Editor of the Madras Journal of Science, 8^c, 

 SrR, ■ ■ • 



The best position of a prop, or support, to sustain a 

 superincumbent load on an Inclined Plane, (such as a 

 descending mine gallery j is so different to what I niy- 



