chance they come in contact, ablution must instantly follow. 'The 
wretched survivor from that time is hoiden in abhorrence, and has 
no other resort, but to associate himself in a village inhabited 
solety by persons under similar circumstances. There are but few 
such receptacles; the largest, and most conspicuous, is on the 
banks of the Mullah, which passes near Sooksongah, about forty 
miles north of Calcutta.” 
Cruel indeed are these mandates of ignorance and superstition! 
and yet, so contradictory and unaccountable is human nature, 
even in men of the very same nation and caste, that, notwithstand- 
ing the above treatment of their aged and infirm parents by the 
natives of Bengal, 1 can with pleasure and with truth record, that 
the generality of Indians, of whatever religious profession, whether 
Hindoos, Mahomedans, or Parsecs, pay a great respect and defe- 
rence to age: the hoary head is by them considered “ a crown of 
glory.” In the public courts of justice, as in scenes of domestic 
life, I have witnessed with delight, the pious brahmin and the 
experienced mullah, informing the members of the adawlet, or 
instructing their youthful pupils; who looked up with veneration 
to “ days that should speak, and multitude of years that should 
teach wisdom; they waited for their words, and gave ear to their 
reasons.” 
The hospitality of our venerable host at Ham-Rajah, detained 
us longer than we intended ; the day was closing when we left his 
friendly shade, and proceeded towards Alla-Bhaug, a Mahratta 
town at a considerable distance; as the country Avas marshy, and 
the roads bad, we had no prospect of reaching it before midnight, 
and therefore dispatched a horseman to purchase provisions, and 
