further instructions, and also prepare their souls for eternity. The priest, after having given all necessary admonitions, and furnished the messenger with a leathern cap and a mask with glass eyes, and also a pair of leathern gloves, directs him where to find the tree, and cautions him to keep always on the windward side (1) of it. The criminal then proceeds; but notwithstanding every precaution, it is said that not more than two in twenty return from the fatal journey. The natives not only poison their weapons with this production, but also the springs and ponds of water, when an enemy approaches. The Dutch once lost half their army by this means; and since that, they have always carried live fish with them, which they put into the water some hours before they venture to use it. BURNING OF WIDOWS IN INDIA. It is the custom, in some parts of the East Indies, when a married man dies, for the widow to burn herself on the funeral pile of her husband. The English have frequently endeavoured to abolish this cruel ceremony, but hitherto with little success, as the woman who, under any pretext, avoids it, is considered disgraced. The following is a description of one of those rites as witnessed by a traveller of undoubted veracity. A young woman not more than twenty years of age, having lost her husband, resolved to celebrate his ob (1) The windward side, le côté du vent, d'où vient le vent. BURNING OF WIDOWS IN INDIA. 191 sequies by burning herself alive. The day was fixed, every thing was prepared, and she arrived at the fatal spot with so much confidence and even gaiety, that I felt convinced she was under the intoxicating influence of opium. At the head of the procession was a band of music; after which came a number of women, single and married, dancing before the widow, who was dressed in her finest clothes and richest apparel. Her fingers, arms and legs were ornamented with a profusion of rings, bracelets, etc. She was followed by a troop of men, women and children, which closed the procession. The funeral pile was composed partly of odoriferous wood; she approached it with a firm step, and, before mounting, took leave (1) of her friends and relations, among whom she distributed her ornaments. I was at that moment very near her in company with two En⚫ glishmen, and judging, perhaps by my countenance the painful commiseration I felt, she threw me one of her bracelets which I caught as a precious relic. She then ascended the pile, seated herself in the middle, and poured on her head a vessel of fragrant oil; the wood was lighted by her nearest relations, who also threw quantities of oil to increase the flames which rose with frightful rapidity; the devoted creature was immediately enveloped by the destructive element, and the multitude filled the air with screams and acclamations, so that it was impossible to hear the cries of the victim. (1) To take leave, prendre congé. A remarkable instance of the justice of divine Providence, which never permits a crime to go unpunished, has just happened at Paris (1855). A widow lady in easy circumstances lived in a very retired way in the capital of France. She had an only daughter whom she had married to a man named Robert. He treated her very ill, and consequently was not upon good terms with his mother-in-law (1). The old lady was supposed to possess a considerable sum of money, it is said 150,000 or 200,000 franks, which idea having excited the avarice of some guilty-minded (2) person, caused her destruction. One morning. just as she was going to take her coffee, which she generally prepared herself, a person asked to speak with her at the door; she went out, and from that moment was never more seen. She was every where sought for by her friends, and by the police; all search however was fruitless, and it was universally believed she had fallen a victim by the hand of an assassin. Suspicion naturally fell upon her son-in-law; he was apprehended and underwent an examination; but no direct proofs being offered, he was set at liberty. In 1824, some fresh circumstances of accusation were discovered, and he was again taken into custody; still (1) Mother-in-law, belle-mère. Pour marquer les relations de parenté indirecte, on se sert des mots in law, en droit, en loi. (2) Guilty-minded, mal disposé, dont l'esprit est corrompu. CRIME IS SURE TO MEET ITS JUST REWARD. 193 however there was not sufficient proof, and he was once more liberated. Nearly ten years had elapsed since his last liberation, and he would very soon have been beyond the reach of further prosecution, by virtue of a law, which prescribes that no person can be arraigned a second time for one crime after the expiration of ten years from his acquittal. Providence however, which never sleeps, has, on the very eve of his fancied security, discovered some circumstances so strongly corroborating, that the supposed criminal is once more in the hands of justice. The following are the circumstances which have led to the recent arrestation. Though the previous testimonies had not been sufficient for conviction, they were strong enough to awaken great suspicions, and consequently the police have narrowly watched the conduct of Robert. It was discovered that he was continually exposed to the importunities of a man named Bastien, and that the latter had often declared that Robert owed him a considerable sum of money. One day in particular he publicly boasted that he had written a letter to him which he dared not fail to answer. A police officer contrived (1) to reach Robert's house almost at the same moment as the letter; he obtained possession of it, and discovered sufficient grounds to arrest Mr. Robert. The letter, after reiterated solicitations and menaces, concluded in these words: "Remember! remember the garden, N° 81, rue Vaugirard!... You know? fifteen feet from the wall... the dead sometimes come to life again..." (1) To contrive, imaginer, parvenir. Bastien was also apprehended and conducted to Paris with Robert. A diligent search was immediately made in the garden which had been indicated, and in the presence of Robert and Bastien. After some time digging, one of the men cried out; "Here are some human bones!" and on continuing, a complete skeleton was found, having a cord around the neck. It appears that the body had been covered with quick lime (1), but that through ignorance, guilty terror, or, perhaps the interposition of Providence, those who had done it had neglected to throw water on it: the lime therefore, instead of destroying the bones, had contributed to preserve the skeleton entire. The teeth (2) and even the hair was in a wonderful state of preservation, considering the time the body is supposed to have been in the earth. A gold ring was also found on one of the fingers, which it is hoped will be greatly instrumental in proving the identity of the skeleton with the person whose sudden and mysterious disappearance justifies the suspicion that she was the victim of assassination. No traces of clothes have been found, and Robert and Bastien strictly deny all knowledge of the crime of which they are accused; the latter however was observed to turn pale when the gravedigger announced that he had discovered the skeleton; and when questioned about the letter, said it was only a piece of nonsence, and done with an intention of hoaxing (3) and frightening Robert. SADLER, (1) Quick lime, chaux vive. (2) The teeth, les dents. (3) To hoax, mystifier, |