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was raised of more substantial timbers to the height of four feet:; 
this a«;ain was covered over with bundles of the straw called cur- 
wee, and bushes of dried tulsee, one of the sacred plants of the 
Hindoos; the sides, and one end being then closed up with the 
same materials, the other end was left open, and formed an en- 
trance. 
“ The dismal tenement being thus completed, soon after the 
widow rose and came forward, walking amidst her friends without 
support: she approached the door, and there having paid some 
further devotions for the occasion, retired a few paces, and sat en- 
circled as before. 
“ The dead body was now brought from the water-side, where 
it had hitherto lain, and deposited within the hollow of the pile; 
several sweet-meats were put in after it, and a large paper bag, 
containing either flower or the dust of sandal-wood. The widow 
rising, walked three times slowly round the pile; when, seating 
herself on a small square stone, placed opposite the entrance, she 
accepted and returned the endearments of her friends with great 
serenity: this done, she again stood up, and having stroked her 
right hand in an affectionate manner over the heads of her dearest 
relations and intimate friends, with a gentle inclination of her per- 
son towards them, she let her arm fall round their necks in a faint 
embrace, and turned from them. Now, with her hands indeed raised 
to heaven, but her eyes cast, in a glare of abstraction, deep into 
that cave of anguish which waited her, she stood awhile a piteous 
statue! — good God, have mercy on her! At length, without alter- 
ing a feature, or the least agitation of her frame, she ascended the 
threshold unassisted, and entering the cave, lay down on the right 
2 o 
