LATE accounts from India mention a very tragical event which took place on the 22nd July last, at Nuriad, in the Kair Collectorate of the Bombay Presidency. Such of our readers as are acquainted with the provinces of Guzrat and Kattywar, will remember a class of persons in those provinces called Bhats and Charons, or hereditary Bards and Genealogists, who boast of their celestial origin, and would seem very generally to believe it themselves, but as such provinces are a terra incognita to the public at large, a brief sketch of the customs peculiar to those people is essential to the comprehension of the sad occurrence to which we refer. The Bhats and Charons have from time immemorial exercised most extraordinary influence on the wild and ignorant population amongst whom they dwell, the more so, probably, as the men are in some degree versed in the sacred books of the Hindoos, and profess to understand the rites and ceremonies which propitiate Siva and his consort Parvati, their favorite deities; they further add to their other means of influence an acquaintance with the genealogies of chiefs and tribes. These people have a custom called Traga, or the infliction of self-wounds, sometimes even unto death, as also the sacrifice of relations, to force the persons against whom the Traga is directed to fulfil engagements made under their guarantee. This forms a peculiar feature in the manners of the Bhats and Charons, amongst whom there is a deep impression that to be in any way instrumental in shedding the blood of their sacred race by forcing them to perform Traga in redemption of a pledge, or for other cause, will bring certain destruction, or at any rate, the most dire misfortunes on him against whom the Traga is directed. In this belief the Bhats and Charons are brought up from their earliest childhood, being moreover taught not merely to hold themselves ever ready to part with life if requisite to preserve the honor of their caste, but to feel such an especial honor; and it is on record that " from the feeble female of fourscore, to the child of five years of age, they are eager to be the first to die," and this, it is added, is no rare feeling, but one which appears to belong to every individual of this singular community, whose persons are thus held sacred by the Rajpoots and Kattys, and who, as family priests and astrologers, have been from the earliest ages allowed peculiar immunities. With these preparatory remarks we shall now give the particulars of the sad affair at Nuriad, which seems to have been the most fearful Traga that has occurred for very many years past. The Bhats and Charons have, it seems, enjoyed, from the remotest antiquity, exemption from every kind of taxation, both local and imperial, and having lately been called on to contribute income-tax, in common with the rest of Her Majesty's subjects in India, they considered themselves grievously wronged by such an encroachment on their rights and privileges. Under this impression they refused payment of the obnoxious impost, but as the assessor of the district considered them liable to the tax, notices were served upon them, which led to petitions on the part of the Bhats, to the officers employed to carry out the Income-tax Act, respectfully, though firmly, urging that their forefathers, from time immemorial, and themselves, had been exempt from all taxes, and very earnestly praying that the petitioners might be exempt from the operation of the Act. Unhappily their petitions were not attended to, and the assessor made out an assessment list against those whom he considered liable, and excusing others. The list was submitted to the special officer, who, it is alleged, without making any inquiry, assessed most of the Bhats in sums varying from four to six rupees each per annum, making the total assessment of the village about four hundred and fifty rupees. Accordingly, payment of the tax was demanded in the usual manner, but the Bhats refused to pay, as they considered the demand of the obnoxious impost a violation of their rights from time immemorial established. On this it was deemed proper to enforce payment by the assistance of the Superintendent of Police with his mounted corps, who were consequently in attendance. At this the Bhats became exasperated, and prepared for resistance by Traga, under the impression that it would be better to sacrifice their lives than to submit to dishonor, by the violation of their rights and privileges. But previous to the adoption of extreme measures, they respectfully addressed the Superintendent of Police, entreating him to preserve inviolate their privilege of exemption from taxation. Under the impression that the suppliants were giving way, Captain Nuttal, the Superintendent of Police, threatened them the more, and his men succeeded in disarming a few of the Bhats, who, with knives in their hands, were forward in opposing the levy. Then the storm arose, for, grown desperate at what they saw was inevitable, the remaining Bhats, about two thousand in number, commenced cutting and stabbing themselves with their kuttars or kreeses, some in their faces, some in their chests or arms, others in their legs, all the while casting imprecations on the officers employed in the collection of the income-tax, and bespattering them with, as they said, their "innocent blood." Some of these misguided men were apprehended on the spot, but this made matters worse, as their wives and other female members of their families rushed out with frantic cries, and began cutting and gashing their own persons with a view to inspire the authorities with pity. In these desperate attempts, several Bhats of either sex lost their lives, and numbers were grievously injured, before the tumult could be quelled. So terrible a Traga as this had not indeed occurred for many years, and it is much to be lamented that precautionary measures were not adopted for its prevention. Those unacquainted with the Bhats and Charons can hardly imagine what they are capable of under the influence of their extraordinary superstitions; and the people of Guzrat and Kattywar, from the powerful chief to the most barbarous and faithless freebooter and Coolie, under dread of the consequences of urging the Bhat or Charon to such fearful extremes as they are capable of, coupled with the belief of their divine origin, all submit to this wonderful influence. No Rajpoot or Katty will, indeed, ever undertake any act of importance without first consulting his personal conscience keeper, for the Bhats and Charons are family priests and astrologers, as well as Bards and Genealogists. They undertake to become security for money, for a very trifling per centage, and this sometimes to an enormous amount; they also become what is called Feil Zamin or security for good behavior, and Hazir Zamin, or security for appearance. These securities are taken by Government from the chiefs in addition to Arr Zamin, or counter security. The personal security of Bhats and Charons is considered the best that can be had, as no instance is on record of one of them forfeiting his pledge, although to redeem that pledge, may have compelled him to immolate a beloved child, or otherwise do violence to his own tenderest affections. Of this abundant instances are on record, and from these we shall select a few as illustrative of our statement. In 1806, a Bhat of Veweingaum, named Kunna, became security in a large amount to the Guicowar's Government, for Dosajee, the chieftain of Mallia. When the time for payment arrived, the chieftain being unprepared or unwilling to pay, the Government came down upon the Zamin or Munotedar for the amount. The Zamin going down to the chieftain, repeatedly besought him in the most moving terms to act up to his engagement, but to no avail, for the chieftain, a hard selfish man, was obdurate. Heartbroken the unfortunate Bhat went home, and shutting himself up alone, passed a considerable time in prayer, and then assembling his family, communicated to them the sad necessity of sacrificing his little daughter in redemption of his pledge to the sovereign, and directed his wife to prepare the child for Traga. The mother, though doatingly fond of her child, as, indeed, both parents were, knowing that remonstrance could be of no avail, informed the child of her father's order. The sweet innocent, who had been taught from earliest infancy to reflect on the sacred character and divine origin of her family, and the necessity which existed for the sacrifice, required no compulsion to obey the decree by which the honor of her caste was to be preserved. Having bathed and dressed herself in her best clothes, she went to her father, and smiling, knelt down, laid her head upon his knee, and holding aside her long hair, resigned herself, not only without a struggle, but with looks of duteous love to the sword of her unnatural parent. The blood of the hapless victim was then sprinkled on the gate of the chieftain, who, horrified at the blood of a Bhat having been spilt on his account, whereby himself and family were threatened with the most dreadful misfortunes, instantaneously paid the money due, presented a valuable jagheer, or freehold estate to the father, and erected a splendid doree, or mausoleum, over the remains of this poor little victim to a most barbarous superstition. Another instance is recorded of a Charon having actually slain his own mother, to deter a chieftain from appropriating some ground that belonged to him. ered as a useless wretch, unworthy of the name of Charon. The foregoing illustrations of the practice are, however, extreme cases; for Traga, as generally performed, extends no further than a cut on the arm with the kuttar or kreese to compel payment of money, for which the Bhat or Charon has become responsible, or to deter robbers from plundering a traveller under his protection. Europeans naturally Todd mentions a Traga in the courtyard shudder at such savage practices, but, at the of the palace of one of the Rajpoot sover- same time, they appear by no means ill eigns, in which either seventy or eighty vic-suited to the state of society where they tims were sacrificed at one time, but this was were employed in districts and amongst peoin the olden days when Tragas were fre- ple who were totally uncurbed by law, and quent; however, Captain McMurdo, resident could only be restrained by working on their at Augur, relates that so lately as 1814, the superstition. The kuttar or kreese, a practice of Traga was carried to a terrible double-edged dagger, is the insignia of the extent in the country between Guzerah and Charon or Bhat, and fifty years ago no travthe Indus, which was then much infested by eller could venture to journey through Katplunderers, and when any property belong- tywar unattended by one of these people, ing to Bhats or Charons was carried off, the who for a small consideration was satisfied owners tracked the plunderers to their vil- to pledge himself to conduct the traveller in lage, and in failure of the restoration of safety, or sacrifice his own life. These their cattle, Traga was at once resolved on, guards are called Wollawars, and they hesiand the heads of several of their aged peo- tate not to inflict on themselves grievous ple were cut off, which at once had the de- stabs, ultimately even unto death, should sired effect of producing restoration. On the robbers persist in plundering those under one occasion four Bhats, to enforce a pay- their protection; but this is seldom necesment, spitted themselves in a string upon the sary, as the most barbarous Coolies and same spear, which passed through their necks. Kattys hold sacred the persons of Bhats and On another, a Bhat dressed in a garment Charons, thus it is hardly surprising that of quilted cotton steeped in oil, set fire to it these people should imagine themselves a at the bottom, and then dancing before the privileged race, and claim rights, or fancied person against whom the Traga was directed rights, even from Europeans. continued to do so until he dropped dead, The women of the Bhats and Charons are without groan or cry. Even a lad of four- clothed in flowing robes, of a dark color; teen was seen by the resident at Augur, with their dress consists of a gogra or petticoat, a spear-blade pushed through both cheeks as made very full; the neck covered with a a Traga for the purpose of recovering a debt choolee, which descends below the hips, and from a Rajpoot, and when the Traga had covers the stomach, but is open behind, taken effect, and the blade had to be re- where it is fastened with two strings; a moved, it had become so rusty and was so wide muslin scarf attached to the gogra firmly fixed, that the father was forced to place passes round the body and over the head, his knees on the boy's head and drag the spear completely concealing the wearer from view. out by main force. On the resident asking These women wear few ornaments, as deemthe boy if it pained him much, he said "yes," ing such inconsistent with their sacred charbut added, "that he did not cry out, as if he acter; but they are not restrained from aphad done so it would have been no Traga; "pearing in the presence of strangers, thus in indeed, if he had shown any symptoms of passing through one of their villages the pain, he should have been deservedly laughed fair sex often appear en masse, invoking at by the person against whom he was act- blessings on the stranger's head (in hopes of ing, and ever afterwards have been consid-a consideration), by joining the backs of their hands and cracking their knuckles over | in the way are generally cut off by the lower his head in that position. orders. The Kattys are excellent horsemen, and they possess the finest breed of horses in India; mares are preferred by them, as being considered more tractable than horses, and capable of enduring greater fatigue. The mare of a Katty is one of his family, she lives under the same roof, is fed out of his hand, and is thus familiarized and obedient to her master's voice in all situations. The horses of this people are never shod, but their hoofs are so tough and excellent that they travel with speed over the most stony ground without injury. The Charons are all horsedealers and horse-fanciers; indeed, the reciprocal attachment between them and their mares is something extraordinary. Whilst upon the subject of the Charons we shall here say a few words regarding the Kattys, with whom they are so intimately allied. The Kattys or inhabitants of Kattywar, are undoubtedly a fine people, and possessed of energy and courage superior to most oriental nations. In stature they frequently exceed six feet, with bony and athletic frames; many of them have blue eyes and fair hair and complexions, but the expression of their countenance is far from pleasing. Their dress is peculiar-the turban, formed of loose twists of muslin, is tied on the head to a great height; their sleeves are proportioned in length to the rank of the wearer, occasionally three times the length of the body, and pushed up in folds The Bhats are more immediately connected along the arm. The Katty shoe is a curios- with the Rajpoots, and the Charons with the ity-it is made of soft leather, and being Kattys. The two castes will eat of each stuffed with cotton is pleasant to the foot, other's food, but never intermarry. Of the and over this there is a strong outer leather Charons there are two principal tribes, the highly ornamented, and the point turning one called Nesai, who are public carriers, up perpendicularly to the knee, and quite and live in camp with their cattle; the other, stiff, terminates in points of loose leather, called Goojer, who reside in cities, and occut to resemble the beak of a bird. These cupy themselves as merchants. The widows preposterous ornaments being however found of both are permitted to marry. more memorable visit to Paris after Mr. Smith Punch. Vols. VIII. and IX. January to De- | free-trade struggle that was threatening to concember, 1845. Bradbury and Evans. vulse the kingdom, though once or twice the To future historians Punch will be an inval-eye alights upon the well-remembered toupet of uable accessory in illustrating not only the hu- the Citizen King. In that year took place the mors and follies of the age, but also the under-memorable visit to Tréport, precursor of the current of political events. How vividly do the passions and turmoils of the period recur to one's memory on glancing over these volumes. And how few of the principal characters therein ridiculed or commemorated, survive at the present moment. Sir Robert Peel, the Duke of Wellington, Sir James Graham, and Dan O'Connell, again and again offer their " coun terfeit presentments "to view. The poet Bunn, poor Jullien, and Mr. Silk Buckingham with his British and Foreign Destitute, also come in for their share of Mr. Punch's delicate attentions. Nor must the Great Unaccountable, Alderman Gibbs, be forgotten. Lord Brougham's wellknown caricature turns up in almost every number, and scarcely less favor is shown to Lord John, the present Earl Russell. Mr. Disraeli, too, was then uttering his bitter invectives against a far wiser statesman and truer patriot than himself. Foreign politics attracted but little attention in comparison with the great and his umbrella had been wellnigh forgotten. As to the letter-press, Punch of 1861, is unworthy to hold a candle to the Punch of 1845. "The Caudle Lectures," "Our Fat Contributor," and "Mr. Jeames's Diary," kept the British public in roars of laughter, in spite of Capel Court and its "stags" and swindlers. King Hudson was then at the zenith of his notoriety, and was even more talked of than Colonel Sibthorpe. "Shall Cromwell have a Statue?" was, however, the real "question" of the day, and one that produced quite as much excite ment as Prince Albert's shako. In short, we are here presented with the most complete phantasmagoria of 1845 that can possibly be imagined, and the effect of turning over these pages is something akin to what a humorous to recall his reminiscences of that period.madman might be supposed to feel in striving Spectator. From The Examiner. the common mode of describing individual On the Study of Character, including an Es-differences." timate of Phrenology. By Alexander Bain, A.M. Professor, of Logic in the University of Aberdeen. Parker, Son, and Bourn. ONE-HALF of this book has already been printed in a series of contributions to Fraser's Magazine; the other half is little else than a repetition, sometimes with more brevity, sometimes with more fulness, of portions of the author's earlier works. But, as a whole, the work breaks almost new ground in philosophy. Theophrastus, the friend and pupil of Aristotle, wrote a clever book, in which he delineated thirty characters or sorts of men; but his classification was altogether bad. Some parts were treated with great redundance, while many obvious divisions of the subject were omitted. There was omission, indeed, of everything good and honest, all the portraits being drawn from men's vices or weaknesses. La Bruyère translated the "Characters" of Theophrastus, and supplemented them with a collection of his own. But he erred more even than his master, producing simply a satire on the whole of mankind, and on some classes of men and women in particular. Better worth reading, though not so famous in their day, and not referred to by Mr. Bain, were the English character books of a period a little earlier than La Bruyère's. From the genial essays of writers like Bishop Hall or Sir Thomas Overbury or Bishop Earl, our forefathers might draw much kindly knowledge of the various moods of human nature, although they affected nothing like scientific instruction. That affectation was reserved for the phrenologists, whose errors Mr. Bain might have left quietly to die, had he not wished to use the few solid bases of their pseudoscience as stepping-stones to a truer and broader philosophy. Believers in phrenology, content to exhibit busts adorned with curious lines and colors, and to feel for corresponding peculiarities in the human head, have almost ceased arrogat, ing for their hobby a rank above that accorded to metaphysical research. With that view, however, it was started. In it, thought its founders, was contained the solution of the riddle which had occupied philosophers from Aristotle downwards. By it for the first time was given a true account of the brain's influence on mental life, of the elementary faculties and feelings of the mind, and therewith of the one complete theory of human character. Mr. Bain, following up the arguments adduced by Mr. Bailey in his "Letters on the Human Mind," shows how utterly untenable is the claim of phrenology to be regarded as a science of mind. Beyond vague assertions, which if true would force us to the grossest materialism, it says nothing to indicate the real confirmation of the soul, the sensations and emotions, the wishes and thoughts which make up our spiritual life. At best it affords only empirical views of those outward movements of the mind which constitute the science of character. In calling attention to these movements phrenologists have been of use. Undoubtedly they are right in finding evidence of mental powers in the modifications of various parts of the brain. But then it must be remembered that, while these distinctions are by no means infallible, like distinctions may be made from observation of any other portion of the bodily system. Because the brain is the chief centre of mental activity, and because the nerve-currents of that activity are most finely developed in the parts nearest to the centre, examination of a man's head may help us to know what is his But let not phrenology be mulcted of its frame of mind. But much of this knowledge share of praise. "Notwithstanding its one- is not to be predicated of the brain alone. sidedness," says its last and kindest critic, Light shines to us from the eye, and truth "it has done good service by showing with is written in the curl of the lip. There is more emphasis than had ever been done utterance of character in every movement before that human beings are widely differ- of the hand, and in every tread of the foot. ent in their mental tastes and aptitudes, and Not only can we tell whether, on particular by affording a scheme for representing and occasions, a man is pleased or angry, hopeful classifying the points of character, which or desponding: in his gait and aspect there is in many respects an improvement upon is permanent token of the kindliness or |