Page:Deplorable effects of heathen superstition.pdf/16

 abominations came to mind. It was on the morning of the Sabbath. Ruminating long on the wide and extended empire of Moloch in the heathen world, I cherished in my thoughts the design of some ‘Christian Institution,’ which, being fostered by Britain, my Christian country, might gradually undermine this baleful idolatry, and put out the memory of it for ever.

I was last September an eye-witness to the Gentoo woman burning with her husband; and as I stood by all the time, and took notes of all that passed, you may depend upon the following narration to be strictly true; I mean the ceremonies that were used by these people, who had always got their bread by their labour, and indeed were so very poor, that their son was obliged to go from house to house to beg fire-wood to burn them with: the richer people are more curious, and have their piles made of a sweet scented wood called Sandal, and much larger than the people I am speaking of can possibly afford.

As soon as her husband was given over by the doctor; she sent for a Brahmin and declared her intentions to burn herself, son and daughter (which was the whole of her family) together, which some neighbours endeavoured as much as possible to dissuade her from, but all to no