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cutioner approaches him, where he stands, strikes, and follows up his blows, like a murderer, till his victim falls. Sir John Malcolm describes an execution of this kind which took place in the presence of the cruel and infamous Tulsa Bhye, a princess who was as great a disgrace to her sex as Alia Bhye was an honour *

The mode of swearing a Chinese at a panjait, or in our supreme court, used to amuse me much. He was brought in, fantastically dressed, with his long black queue dangling down to his heels: a plate was placed on his head, which he held with both his hands; and upon repeating-" You shall tell all you know, and not tell any thing you do not know, on pain of your soul being shattered so," he dashes the plate against the ground with all his force.

* The account is too shocking for general perusal; but should curiosity prompt, it may be found in Sir JOHN MALCOLM'S Memoir of Central India, under the head of Holkar's Court and Family.

No. III.

MOOTEE MOOTA AND HATTIMA.

There's a bliss beyond all that the minstrel has told,
When two that are link'd in one heavenly tie,

With heart never changing and brow never cold,
Love on through all ills, and love on till they die!

One hour of a passion, so sacred, is worth

Whole ages of heartless and wandering bliss;
And oh! if there be an Elysium on earth,

It is this, it is this.

MOORE.

INFANTICIDE is now but little known in India. By the exertions of Governor Duncan and Colonel Walker, its progress was arrested in Kattywar and Cutch; and so salutary has been the effect of exposing the atrocious barbarity of putting innocent creatures to death, merely to gratify the false pride of foolish men, and to perpetuate a horrible custom, that, amongst the Raj

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poots, we now scarcely ever hear of this abominable practice. No Rajpoot ever chooses a wife in his own tribe: these people consider one another in the same light as family relations, too near a-kin to marry. This usage, which, in its practical effect, renders it difficult for parents to provide well for their daughters, induced some tribes to put them all to death; for it is considered a great disgrace, either to have an unmarried daughter in a family, or to permit one to make an unequal match.

Another most deplorable consequence of this custom was, the purchase and sale of females. Men who could not obtain wives in their own tribe, and sometimes found it difficult to form proper connexions in another, preferred the easy mode of gratifying their desires by expending sums of money for female slaves; who were generally, indeed always, chosen for their beauty. This branch of trade has long been carried on by men called Brinjarries, who are privileged graincarriers, found in all parts of the country. They purchase young females, entice many away, and often kidnap others, for the purpose of selling

them to the amorous Rajpoots. There are instances on record of a few fortunate girls, thus sold, who, like Joseph, became great in slavery; for it sometimes happens that when a prince, or head-man, finds himself entangled in the snares of artful beauty, he elevates the object of his affection to the highest rank and power; obliging his relatives to receive her as their superior, and to wave all considerations respecting her origin. In general, however, these girls are considered as mere ministers to pleasure, and are trained up in all the arts of gratifying sensuality.

There are many interesting stories told in India, the incidents of which are founded on these usages. I venture to give the subjoined free translation of one, which I trust will afford amusement. That such an event happened, I have no doubt; for few of the popular tales in the East, perhaps not one, are the offspring of mere invention. It is usual to involve every thing in fable and superstition, as well as to clothe it in fanciful language; but there is always some foundation, some popular belief, some oral testimony required to give currency to Hindoostanee

tales. I have, in this instance, cleared my story as much as possible from the rubbish, and given it a dress more suitable to European taste; but the principal incidents, and representations of manner, are faithfully preserved. Before I commence, however, let me offer an observation on the inhuman practice of kidnapping female children in India.

I have said that the practice of infanticide has been checked, and I most cordially rejoice to add, that suttee, or the sacrifice of wives with their husbands, has also been arrested, by the regulations of the Marquess of Hastings. It is impossible that a humane man should not be eager and zealous to prevent an unfortunate woman from burning herself; and as no one can do so now, without permission from British authority, and the inspection of a magistrate, no pretences will be found wanting to save life, without alarming the prejudices of the natives. In time, it may be hoped, suttee will be as little heard of as infanticide. Why, then, should not steps be taken to abolish slavery in India, and to prevent abduction? Can any thing be more dreadful than the situation of

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