Page:History of the Indian Archipelago Vol 2.djvu/294

 253 but seeing that it will not partake, she resumes, at each time, the usual lamentations, carrying her affliction so far for three or four days, as to kiss the body, and bathe it all over with her tears. This mourning, however, only lasts until the even- ing before the funeral rites. Those who have de- voted themselves, are made to pass that night in continual dancing and rejoicing, without being per- mitted to close an eye. All pains are taken to give them whatever tends to the gratification of their senses, and from the quantity of wine which they take, few objects are capable of terrifying their imaginations. Besides, they are inflamed by the promises of their priests, and their mis- taken notions of the joys of another state of exist- ence. " No woman or slave, however, is obliged to fol- low this barbarous custom. Yet, even those who have desired to submit to it, and have not been accepted, as well as those who have not offered themselves, are alike shut up for the remainder of their lives, in a convent, without being permitted the sight of man. If any one should find means to escape from her prison, and is afterwards taken, her fate is instantly decided ; she is poignarded, — dragged through the streets, — and her body cast to the dogs to be devoured, the most ignominious form of inflicting death in that country. " At the funeral of the king's two sons who died