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as they find in or about the Ganges, and perhaps oilier rivers. 
The name of the sect is Paramahansci ; and I have received authentic 
information of individuals of this sect being not very unusually 
seen about Benares, floating down the river on, and feeding on a 
corpse. Nor is this a low despicable tribe; but, on the contrary, 
esteemed, by themselves at least, as a very high one; and my in- 
formation stated that the human brain is judged by these epicu- 
rean cannibals as the most delicious morsel of their unsocial ban- 
quet. It may be difficult for the English reader to believe this 
hitherto unrecorded story of the flesh-abhorring Hindoos; as well, 
perhaps, as the now fully authenticated facts of their prodigality 
of human life. Anecdotes to a considerable extent might easily 
be collected of the sanguinary propensity of these people; such 
as would startle those who have imbibed certain opinions from 
the relations of travellers, on the character and habits of the ab- 
stinent and flesh-abhorring Hindoos, and brahmins with souls as 
unspotted as the robes they wear.” 
In many Indian customs mentioned by the Greek historian, 
we find the same traits of character as among the modern Hindoos; 
others appear so extremely dissimilar that little credit is given 
them : such for instance are the Padaei, whom he describes as leading 
a pastoral life, and living on raw flesh; when any man was dis- 
eased, he was put to death by his nearest connections; if a woman 
was ill her female relations treated her in the same manner: the 
more aged among them were regularly killed and eaten; few in- 
deed attained to old age, because in case of sickness they put 
every one to death. 
Whether the existence of Hindoo anthropophagi is believed or 
