thout reason; for they say that persons
supposed to be dead have been alive, or even when lifeless have been
restored; and sometimes, also, it has happened that the gods of the
infernal regions have mistaken their aim, and seized one person instead
of another. In any view, it is right to afford the opportunity for
correcting these mistakes, so as not to expose to the flames a person
who is still alive. Hence the propriety of these pauses, each of which
continues half of the quarter of an hour.

Having arrived at the place for burning the dead, they dig a trench
about six or seven feet in length. This is consecrated by the muntrums.
It is slightly sprinkled with water to lay the dust, and a few pieces of
money in gold are scattered upon it. Here the pile is erected of dried
wood, on which the body is laid out at full length. Over the body a
quantity of twigs are laid, which are sprinkled with punchakaryam The
chief of the funeral then takes on his shoulders a pitcher of water, and
goes around the pile three times, letting the water run through a hole
made in it. After this he breaks the pitcher in pieces near the head of
the corpse.

At last the torch is brought for setting fire to the pile, and is handed
to the chief of the funeral. Before he receives it, however, he is
obliged to make some grimaces to prove his sorrow. He rolls about on the
ground, beats his breast, and makes the air resound with his cries. The
assistants also cry, or appear to cry. Fire being applied to the four
corners of the pile, the crowd retire, except the four Brahmins who
carried the body; they remain until the whole is consumed.

The funerals of the Sudras differ in some particulars from those of the
Brahmins. Deafening sounds of drums, trumpets, and other instruments of
music, not in use among the Brahmins, accompany their funerals. To
increase the noise, they sometimes shoot off an instrument which
somewhat resembles a small cannon. I do not now think of any other
particular worthy of mention.

By the ceremonies which are performed at their funerals, this wretched
people expect to secure the pardon of all the sins of those who have
died. Alas, what a delusion! O, that Christians had sent the Gospel to
this dark land in the days when they sent it to our heathen fathers.
Then might the Hindoos now be seeking the expiation of their sins,
through the blood of the ever-blessed Redeemer. Of this Redeemer,
however, they know nothing. They enter