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then above two yards from her. In about a minute the straw was burnt out, and there was a horrid pause, during which it was thought the pile would require to be re-lighted. Still there was no sound from it, and the wood at last taking fire, all was again in flames, and it burnt away. The figure of the woman was seen exactly as she had at first seated herself.

"What feelings, Mr. Editor, can these Hindoos have in common with us, who can thus calmly see their children or sisters put to death, and who can look on, not merely with indifference, but delight; for I sought in vain for a sorrowful countenance, even among her female relatives; and as for the crowd, you would have imagined from their faces that they had assembled to laugh at the tricks of their mimics or jugglers. Habit cannot have reconciled them to it, for it is twenty-four years since a suttee was known at this place.

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Among the many thousands that were present, the only persons that were at all interested in it were her brother-in-law, who robbed her of her ornaments, and a Brahmin, who was paid for the occasion. And I really believe that all the rest would have been much more delighted to have seen these two worthies get a sound beating, than they were at the burning of the poor girl.

"The brother-in-law has thrown his chuppur over the spot, now sacred, and is hourly growing rich from the contributions of numberless pilgrims, who go to pray at the shrine of their departed saint." -[Bengal Hurk., Aug. 25.

AFFECTING INCIDENTS. (Letter addressed to the Editor of the Bengal Hurkaru.)

"As a party were proceeding up the river on Sunday, in passing Isharah, their attention was attracted by the cries of a child, and on drawing near the shore they were redoubled. Near her there was lying a heap of ashes, not quite extinguished, and which appeared like the remains of a recent concremation. A number of children were standing near her, and at a little distance three or four grown-up peo ple looking on very contentedly. An inquiry was made by a humane individual of the party from whence the cause of her distress proceeded, and it was some time before an answer could be obtained. length it was ascertained that the ashes were those of the funeral pile on which the mother of this unfortunate child had immolated herself along with the dead body of her husband, and that the lamentations of the child were occasioned by this cause. This circumstance certainly is a singular one, but I have no doubt that it is true, for the account of it was given me by one of the party, and by the individual who in

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terested himself in the manner I have just described.

"In the course of conversation on the subject, the following circumstance was mentioned as a proof of the good effects of the friendly interference of Europeans in preventing the immolation of human vietims. A bearer who had lived for a long time in a family was taken ill, and was on the point of being carried to the banks of the river, for the purpose of being given over to the friendly care of the Ganges to be conveyed to heaven: before he was conveyed there, however, he requested to be allowed to speak to his old mistress; and on being taken to her, he begged her to interfere to procure for him a respite of three days. On her interfering, some remarks were made by his friends as to the expense which would be incurred if they were to comply with this request. His mistress promised to pay all the expenses that might be incurred, and the result is, that the man, who was so near death five or six years ago, is now alive in Calcutta, in the daily execution of his business.

"These circumstances are thus narrated, to prove that the friendly interposition of individuals is of infinitely more value than all the official interposition of magistrates;* and that the prejudices of the natives, although they may be eradicated by kindness, can never be forcibly rooted out with any prospect of success."-Calcutta, Aug. 11, 1823.

SUPREME COURT.

Robbery in a Hindu Temple. Calcutta, June 28, 1823. The King on the prosecution of Gopal Doss, versus Kaleekapersaud Thakore, Radamohun Chowdry, Mohun Doss, Ramanund Doss, and Muji Ram.

Mr. Turton stated that the indictment charged the defendants with a riot and robbery in a Hindu temple. The first count was for a riot and disturbance; the second for the riot only; the third for taking away goods from the temple; the fourth for breaking into a dwelling house; the fifth for an assault; the sixth for a forcible entry into the temple; and the seventh for a forcible entry into the dwel ling house.

Mr. Money described the prosecutors as Hindu priests, worshipping an idol in a temple near the Burra Bazar. Of the defendants, Kaleekapersaud Thakore, he said, was a member of the famous Thakore family, and he had every reason to believe that what had been done was at his instigation; but, be that as it may, the perpetrators of it must bear the consequences of their crime. How it came into the heads

The half-measures adopted several years ago, are certainly more than dubious. Ed.

of the defendants to do as they had done he was at a loss to conceive, but he left it to the Jury to determine after they had heard the evidence. About fifty years ago, the ancestor of Kaleekapersaud Thakore gave the land on which the temple is built to Ram Gossain, who after having retained possession of it for twenty or twenty-five years, died, and left it to Hurree Doss. This individual maintained public worship in it up to 1820, and in that year he died. The property then succeeded to Goverkund Doss, his adopted son; and he understood that the pretence for now turning the plaintiff out was, that as the first possessor under the original gift had died without a will, the land ought to revert to the Thakore family; but if the learned counsel could prove possession to the Jury for the time he had stated, that would be quite sufficient to entitle him to their verdict. But the whole of the land had not been presented by the Thakore family, and consequently could not revert to them, for part of it had been given by the Raja of Moorshedabad.

The facts of the case were thus described by the learned counsel. On the 27th Dec. 1822, the defendants came with an European bailiff to the temple, and ordered him to seal some of the doors. While he was there no harm had been done, but as soon as he had gone away the defendants went to the acting priest, asked for the key of the door, where the god and god's property were, and on his refusal to give it up, beat bim and others violently, and threw them down stairs. They then went down stairs themselves, and made a forcible entry into the priest's house. The defendant thakore was not satisfied with all this, but at the time of the evening puja he thought he had a right to be priest, and accordingly performed the office to the other prisoners. The riot continued for some time, and until some man more sensible than the others waited upon Mr. Stacey, and brought him there to induce them to leave off. The learned counsel said that he should prove the riot, the assault, and the forcible entry, and if he did so, he should have a right to the verdict of the Jury on all the counts.

Hurree Doss, Pujari, stated that he is worshipping Bramin at Ram Sita's thakorebarri in the Burra Bazar; that on the 27th Dec. the defendants, with a number of byragies and brujabassies, came to that place with an European serjeant. They knocked at the door, and when it was not opened, they shoved it, and the bolt flew out, and they went up. The serjeant after a little time scaled up two doors, and went away leaving two peadus behind him. The doors thus sealed were those of the Bramin's houses. When the serjeant went away, the defendants went up to the place where the idols were, and called to the pujari to give them the keys of the place, which he could not do

without permission of the proprietor. On his refusal Kaleekapersaud Thakore seized him by the neck, struck him, and told the brujabassies to beat him also. They did beat him; upon which Loll Doss and Tholl Doss asked them why they did so. Radamohun Chowdree then told the brujabassies to beat them, and Kaleekapersaud desired three of the defendants to break the lock of the place where the idol was. Kaleekapersaud told them to beat witness well, and if it cost a thousand or two he would pay it. After they had thus been beaten they were thrust down stairs, and Tholl Doss got his head cut against the wall, and it bled. In all, thirty or forty people were present, and they made a great noise. After they were thrust down, some men came with a basket containing some vessels and cups. He then detailed who were the bearers of the articles taken from the temple. Witness called "dewai," upon which Radamohun made as though he would beat him again, and told him to be quiet. As witness had been beaten once, he did not wish to risk another beating, and for that reason allowed them to pass. Some time after some of the defendants came back again, and performed the ceremony of worship, beating the gongs, &c. People were waiting there to prevent witness from performing the ceremony, and he did not attempt to do so.

Hurree Doss first appointed wit ness to perform the worship, and he was continued in his place by Gopal Doss. The defendants remained until Mr. Stacey came, about 10 or 11 o'clock, and sent them away. When they were gone, he examined the goods of the idol, and found that the ghurra, the pitara, the tallas, and other vessels were missing. He saw the contents of the box about four months before this time, at the feast of the Dole Jattra, when it contained several orna ments of gold and precious stones belonging to the idol, which Hurree Doss got made for it. Formerly Hurree Doss was proprietor of them, but Gopal Doss now was. When defendants broke into the temple they made a great noise, and beat the tom-toms.

Cross-examined by Mr. Fergusson :➡ He had on his usual clothes on this occasion; the defendants beat his body, seized him by the hair and throat, and beat him with their fists. He did not go to complain at the Thannah because he was senseless, and was lying in that state from candle-light until 10 or 11 o'clock. The moment he was thrust down he became senseless. The river where he was lying is very close to the temple. He fell down stairs, went to the river, drank some water, and returned to the choubutra, where he fell down senseless. He did so because he was so much vexed. He is quite cer tain he was not asleep, he did not dream; his sides were broken with being shoved

all down stairs, and he sat at the bottom of the stairs until they had taken away the things, when he tried to go up again. Kithnarain Thakore went to the Thannah while he was senseless, and brought the Thanadar. When Mr. Stacey came, Kistnarain Thakore took witness to see him; no complaint was then made against the two first defendants, but only against the other three. Witness does not know Ramkissen Sain; he was examined by a gentleman, and not by a man who was pointed out to him by Mr. Fergusson. The keys and all the things not taken away are with Omer Ram Thakoor, and the thakorebarri is in his possession; Hurri had had possession for five years to his knowledge, he had heard for twenty.

In answer to Ram Mobun Doss: The box was taken away by daylight. There were thirty-six persons engaged in the riot altogether, but he only knew Loll Doss, Tholl Doss, and Govind Thakore Ghose. He was asked to examine the premises to see what had been taken, but he declined doing so. He made a list produced in Court.

In answer to the Bench:-No complaint was made against Kaleekapersaud Thakore and Radamohun Chowdri; he knew this because they had performed puja and gone away; the complaint was made against the other three who were there; these and three more, whose names he did not know, were complained of. Re-examined by Mr. Turton: No complaint was made at the police; but a report. Plaintiffs did not wish it to come on at the police, but at the Supreme Court.

In answer to prisoners:- Radamohun Doss is dead: he is gone to Heaven.

Loll Doss offers fruits, flowers, and tulsi leaf at the thakorebarri of Ram Sita, in the Burra bazar. He confirmed what had been deposed by the former witnesses relative to the beating and forcible expulsion by the defendants and their burjabassies. He deposed to the presence of Kaleekapersaud. He and Tohill Doss were much beaten; this was by order of Kaleekapersaud. Witness's health had been materally affected by it. He saw the things being taken away. Witness lost his senses when he was down, and was not in his senses during the night: he saw Tohil Doss going about the next day. Was senseless at the conclusion of the transaction.

Cross-examined by Mr. Fergusson:The beating took place about a quarter of an hour after the serjeant went away; and as he lay senseless all the time, he could only depose to his own beating. He did not know where he lay, but was told by a boy it was amongst the bricks; he was senseless all night, and when he came to himself he was in bed.

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Nothing particular was elicited from

him besides this, and the other witnesses said little to the purpose, except that they confirmed generally the testimony of the foregoing witnesses. Three other witnesses were examined in the course of this day, whose evidence did not in any material degree differ from the account of those we have given. The Court adjourned at half past three o'clock, until Tuesday the 1st instant.

The Jury having been assembled on that day, Mr. Money proceeded to call his remaining witnesses. These were five in number, who had seen the different stages of the disturbance, and deposed to nearly the same facts as those examined on the former day. One or two of them denied having seen Kaleekapersaud Thakore at the place, and another to the fact of the articles taken away having been conveyed to a neighbouring temple by the defendants, where they were refused admission.

A petition was then put in by some of the prisoners, stating that they were the real managers of the temple, and that they were quite ignorant of the transaction referred to.

Mr. Fergusson then called William Brown; who deposed that he made the distress about four o'clock. That he first went to Kaleekapersaud's house, who sent the chowdree along with him, but remained at home himself; and that witness, after having sealed up the doors, went home.

Cross-examined by Mr. Money.-He staid at Kaleekapersaud's house about a quarter of an hour, and saw a number of natives there armed with sticks, to the amount of twenty, eight or nine of whom went along with him. Kaleekapersaud told him that the two people who were along with him were not enough, and that he would send his people to guard the premises after they were left by him. Some of the people who went with him went up stairs, but came down again immediately. He was quite positive he did not see Kaleekapersaud. Did not know where the people went, who came with him from the house-he left the chowdree there. He heard a noise down stairs, and saw one blow struck.

Mr. Fergusson called several other witnesses, who all deposed to the fact of Kaleekapersaud being absent at the time the outrage was stated to have been committed. One of them deposed to the title of the Thakore family to the premises in question, and another to the manner in which Kaleekapersaud spent the whole of the evening. More than one of them said that some disturbance had occurred at the temple; but they all denied that Kaleekapersaud had any share in it. The dif ference in their evidence was so very immaterial, that it appears to us to be quite unnecessary to point it out in this place by going through the whole of it.

The counsel having respectively ad

dressed the Court, Sir A. Buller summed up; but as our reporter was obliged to leave the court, we are unable to give an account of his speech on this occasion.

The Jury retired for some time, and returned with a verdict against all the defendants on the 5th count, that of an assault, and acquitted them on the others.

The Court then directed that Kaleekapersaud Thakore should pay a fine to the King of 200 rupees, and the other defendants of 20 rupees each; which they immediately did, and were discharged. [Ben. Hurk., July 4.

Calcutta, July 7, 1823. Singular Case of Hindu Widows. A curious case resting upon a point of Hindu law, occupied the Court for a considerable time to-day. A Hindu, named Luckinarian, having died and left three widows (the third of whom was pregnant at the time of his death), without any children, a dispute arose about the purport of the will. He, by his will, directed that a son should be adopted, who was to be adopted by the three widows; but in the event of the three not all agreeing, the first and second were to nominate a child; and in case they could not agree, the second and third were to make the selection. In consequence of this direction, the first and second widows did propose one child, and the third another. They did not agree for some time, but at last the third concurred in the choice of the other two. The question for the Court to decide was, whether or not, by the dissention of the widows, the third was deprived of the benefit of a sum of money to be paid by the Accountant General from the estate of the devisor to the adopting parties. Mr. Money contended that such was the case, and that the third widow, in consequence of her dissention, was to have nothing to do with the will, and was thus excluded from the benefit of it.

Mr. Fergusson, on the other hand, contended that, so far from being excluded from the benefit of the will, the third widow was not only entitled to all the advantages of it, if she concurred with the other two any time before the ceremonies of the adoption were gone through; but as she was the only one who had borne a child, that she was the proper person to be the receiving mother of the adopted child.

The Court thought, with Mr. Fergusson, that as the third widow had concurred prior to the performance of the ceremonies, she was entitled to the full benefit of the will. The pundit was called, and the case referred to him: when he stated that the Court was quite correct. He added,

that three could not perform the ceremonies of adoption, but that one person must act for the whole, and that, in such case, the child would be the adopted child of the Asiatic Journ.-No. 99.

three. On being asked which of the three widows it was proper to appoint receiving mother, in consonance with the Hindu law, he said that he did not know of any shastra which decided this point, but he thought that the woman who had borne the child should have the preference.

After a very long and desultory conversation between counsel, the Court came to the following decision:

That the three women were the adopting mothers, they all concurring in the choice; that it be referred to the Master which of the three is to be the receiving mother in behalf of the whole, who is to receive the money; and what sum will be necessary for the purposes of the adoption.-[ Ben. Hurk., July 9.

Calcutta, Aug. 21, 1823. Roychund Paul, v. Sibnarain Paul. This was an issue to try the genuineness of a will, and we merely mention it for the purpose of recording an instance of native pertinacity which we have seldom seen equalled. A man named Suwar was put into the box; and upon water of the Ganges being tendered to him, he refused to be sworn. It was pointed out to him, both by the Court and counsel, that if he still persevered in his refusal, he would be imprisoned, and that it was probable that this imprisonment would be for life. To all this he very determinedly answered, that he preferred going to gaol, for "he was an old man, and did not know how long he might have to live," and for these reasons he would not swear by the water of the holy Ganges. Instances were related to him of individuals, one of whom had been in prison for ten years: and others for two, three, and four years, but all was in vain, and the Court was ultimately compelled to commit him. Mr. Money begged that he might not be sent immediately to gaol, but that the pundit might be allowed to speak to him, and endeavour to remove his religious doubts on the subject, if such were the cause of his refusal. To this the Court agreed, and on the arrival of the pundit he recapitulated the whole of the preceding arguments; but even this was in vain,and the Court at length was compelled to commit him, observing at the same time that it had no option, but was obliged to do so, and was sorry that the obligation was imposed on them of committing any for religious prejudices.-[Ben. Hurk., Aug. 25.

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We understand that A. G. da Silviera, jun., Esq. has been appointed Interpreter and Translator of European languages to the Supreme Court.—[John Bull, Aug. 21.

TOUR OF THE DISTRICT OF CHERTURGHUR.

Mr. Jenkins, the resident at Nagpore, is now on a tour of the district of Chertur. VOL. XVII. 2 P

ghur. He has already visited Shaway, the source of the Maha Nuddea, and is now in progress from Ryepore to the source of the Soane and Nerbudda at Oomerkuntuck. He is accompanied by a professional gentleman, furnished with the necessary instruments for measuring the heights of mountains. Kokair, or Konkair, was visited by him on his route to Shawah.[Ben. Hurk., April 5.

ADMINISTRATIONS TO ESTATES.

Lieut.-Col. F. M. Miller, C.B., late of H.M. 87th regt., deceased; James Weir Hogg, Esq.

William Mann, Esq., late of the firm of Buchanan, Mann and Co., of Calcutta, deceased; Messrs. William Smith Boyd and William Thomas Beeby.

Assist. Surg. John Park Barnett, late of Calcutta, deceased; James Weir Hogg, Esq.

Doctor James McGregor, late of Dinapore, deceased; James Weir Hogg, Esq.

John Pearson, late of Calcutta, Mariner, and Commander of the ship Ogle Castle, deceased; John Storm, Esq., of the firm of McIntyre and Co.

James Jennings, Esq., late of Dinapore, deceased; James Weir Hogg, Esq. Doctor Charles Daw, late of Bombay, deceased; James Weir Hogg, Esq.

SHIPPING.

Loss of the Matilda.-Information has been received in town, from a respectable house in Bombay, of the loss of the ship Matilda of this port, belonging to Messrs. Lackersteen and Co. She left this in December last, on a trading voyage to Mozambique, and was totally lost on a rock at the entrance of that port, in April; particulars not yet ascertained. The crew, however, were all saved; but the Commander and the Supercargo, Mr. Lackersteen, were suffering from the deleterious effect of the climate, when the ship that brought the intelligence to Bombay left the port.-[Cal. Jour., July 8.

Arrivals.

Sept. 4. Asia, Pope, from Bombay and London.-5. Madras, Clark, from Madras and London.

MADRAS.
MISCELLANEOUS.

THE LATE LORD BISHOP OF CALCUTTA.

At a meeting of the Madras District Committee of the Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge, held at St. George's Church, Choultry Plain, on Saturday, the 28th June 1823, to consider of the best means of co-operating with the Society in the measures resolved upon by them on the occasion of the lamented death of the Lord Bishop of Calcutta :

Present, The Venerable Archdeacon Vaughan, President; the Hon. H. S.. Græme; the Hon. Sir C. Grey, Kt.; H. Byrne, Esq.; J. L. Grant, Esq.; J., Gwatkin, Esq.; J. Goldingham, sen., Esq.; Major Cadell; J. M. Strachan,. Esq.; W. Hudleston, Esq.; Capt. Mountford; J. F. Thomas, Esq.; S. Nicholls, Esq.; Rev. W. Thomas; Rev. M. Thompson; and Richard Clarke, Esq.,

The Venerable the Chairman having opened the purpose of the Meeting, the Secretary read a letter from the Rev. W. Parker, Assistant Secretary to the Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge, and the printed resolutions transmitted therein.

After which the Hon. Sir Charles Grey addresssed the meeting as follows:

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Gentlemen: The honour has been of fered to me of proposing the resolutions which presently will be read, and I cannot decline it but it would have fallen, perhaps, more appropriately upon some other. For this is a fit opportunity to bring into recollection, not merely those characteristics of the late Bishop of Calcutta, of which the world is already informed; but those less prominent, yet more interesting ones, which a friend only can know or relate.

Ten years ago Dr. Middleton was in the quiet enjoyment of all, if not of more than all, that to ordinary minds appears desirable. Placed in the metropolis of England, he had a fortune which surpassed any wishes he entertained for himself; he had employment suited to his inclinations; he had the reputation of talents, of learning, and of piety. But a field was opened to him, in which, at the risk of every thing but that which was inherent in his mind, it was possible to apply to ampler uses the faculties with which he had been sent into the world. He did not long hesitate. In the early part of the last century, Berkeley formed that benevolent plan which involved the devotion of his own life, his labours, and his pure intellect, to the task of enlightening the aboriginal inhabitants of North America. failed, because it was deemed by others romantic and impracticable; yet, in the present day, plans similar in their objects and means, but of wider scope, are on foot, and in a course of success. If there are any who doubt of the propriety or importance of such plans, I would suggest for their consideration the consequences which probably would have ensued, if Berkeley had been assisted with hearty good-will by the people and the government of England. If our arts, our language, our knowledge, our religion and institutions had been freely, but gradually imparted; if a fabric of native society had been so built up as to ensure, to those included in it, any good which they pos-. sessed, and an equal share of future bene

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