BAT A VI A. * 229 
Nige?', the black henbane, in cases of madness. He con- 
ceived, probably, that as, according to public opinion, a 
small quantity of the extract of this plant would cause a de- 
rangement of the intellects, a copious dose might be attended 
with the same salutary effects as drinking deeply of the 
Pierian spring, 
" Where shallow draughts intoxicate the brain, 
" And drinking largely sobers us again." 
Not only the features, the manners, and the remains of the 
civil and religious institutions of the Hindoos are still ap- 
parent among the Javanese, but they have preserved the 
fragments of a history, according to which they derive their 
origin from Visknoo. This history terminates with the account 
of a dreadful deluge, which swept away the great bulk of 
mankind. In the inland parts of tlie island they still observe 
a scrupulous abstinence from every kind of animal food, un- 
der the notion of a transmigration of souls. However amiable 
that religion may seem which forbids the taking away of 
animal life, it may fairly be doubted whether an aversion to 
the shedding of blood, or a tender feeling for animal suffering, 
had any share in the origin of such an institution. A sup- 
position to this effect v^ould involve with it a multitude of 
contradictions and inconsistencies. The same people who, 
in their precepts strenuously inculcate and in practice en- 
courage, by assisting and gazing at, the inhuman and im- 
natural sacrifice of a beautiful and innocent woman expiring 
in the flames of a funeral pile, cannot consistently be sup- 
posed- to feel any horror at the slaughtering of an ox. The 
same remark will with equal force apply to the Javanese. 
