ed to play almost every trick by these men, it is extraordinary to witness the docility and intelligence they exhibit, performing some of the most curious and difficult gymnastics I ever saw attempted.

The final triumph of the juggler consisted in his attempt (which was crowned with success) to discover a thief who had hitherto eluded detection. Well might it be said.

'Finis coronat opus.'

In this case certainly it was well borne out. He left us most strangely impressed with his ability and powers, having extorted from an unsuspected robber a full and voluntary confession. His mode was most simple. He called for some dry rice, over which he performed sundry rites, and uttered several prayers. He then drew up every servant in the Colonel's establishment in a row, and giving each a handful of rice, desired them to chew it, informing thein, in the most cool manner, that Vishnu would instantly point out the culprit by withholding from him the power of grinding the rice between his teeth. If he attempted to do so, she of the many arms would instantly annihilate him. We therefore called on them, one and all, to try their powers of crunching, promising that the thief should thereby be convicted, and the innocence of the others be made manifest. We naturally smiled at the simplicity of the test, little expecting that the result would prove satisfactory. How surprised were we, then, on seeing the snake-charmer walk straight up to one of the bearers, and instantly challenge him to spit out into a plate the rice he had been vainly trying to chew. The man hesitated; his muscles seemed suddenly to collapse, and his sable countenance turned pale. In less than five minutes the unhappy wretch was on his knees, confessing his various depredations and embezzlements. The rice was untouched by his teeth, and however much we chose to laugh at the superstition, we could not help admiring the scheme which had thus extorted from the culprit a confession of his guilt.

I have since seen the same experiment tried to discover a thief, and strange to relate, never knew it fail.

A SUTTEE.

THIS act of self-sacrifice, which was formerly a frequent event, and is often spoken of in England as an every-day occurrence in India, has now become so rare, that I did not hesitate to go and see a ceremony of the kind, which was announced as about to take place, although I had to travel about forty miles by 'Dawk Baugy,' to reach the spot, where it was to be consummated. Never did I pass a more unpleasant night than that in which I suffered myself to be jolted about in a palanquin across a detestable country. For I ought to state (in case my reader is not acquainted with this mode of travelling,) that journeying by Dawk Baugy' is nothing more nor less than posting per palanquin, with four bearers, almost stark-naked, wearing only a very small covering to avoid absolute indecency, a turban on their heads, and small pad on their

shoulder, carrying you along at the rate of about four miles or four miles and a half an hour, a relief of the same number running beside them, to take the burden in turn at the end of about each mile and a half.

To travel in the day-time would have been to risk my life. It is true, I have often seen my fool-hardy countrymen do so, but I have ever myself looked upon such an act, unless on an occasion of life and death, as a deed of extreme folly or madness. What man in his proper senses, may I ask, would box himself up in a machine, little bet ter, little larger than a wadded coffin? (the ordinary length of a palanquin being eight feet, its breadth three, and depth about the same). Who, I ask, in such a wooden case, would choose to jolt about for several consecutive hours under a sun, which darting on the out, soon causes the inside to glow like a baker's oven? And yet I have occasionally seen Europeans dance about Calcutta in one of these living sepulchres, till the wretched bearers have almost fallen from fatigue

and heat!

sof

On the occasion I now speak of, I travelled by night; but, alas! I gained little by it. Not a breath of air was stirring the musquito flew in and stung me; the beautiful fire-fly flitted about like a fiery star, while some parts of the jungle through which we passed seemed actually alive with them; the bushes appearing as a mass brilliant and shining light. I could hear the screeching jackal, and more than once fancied I could distinguish the cry of the Fayho,' which filled me with dread, as he is the constant companion of the tiger. As we passed along, our lights for the four relief-bearers carried torches to frighten the wild animals, and direct our course, -occasionally scared the wild dog, who fled howling away. Birds, disturbed from their roosts, flew hooting over us. An exclamation now and then from my supporters would tell how fearfully they had beheld a snake in their path, or received a sharp puncture from a quill ejected by some alarmed porcupine. However naturalists may differ on this subject, I can positively affirm that these little animals have the power of shooting their quills forth when enraged or frightened. In the island of Ceylon I once saw the leg of a native severely wounded by one. In Bengal the porcupine is more rare, and less ferocious. But to return to my story.

Unable to sleep, unrefreshed by a single breath of air, I marked all these annoyances with terror and disgust, and inwardly vowed (unless most especially compelled to do so,) never again to travel per 'Dawk Baugy.' The hours seemed interminable. It was in vain I attempted to court slumber. The monotonous song of the bearers sounded more gloomily than ever in my ears. Every disagreeable thought that had ever rankled in my mind arose in dread array before me. No wonder, then, that I uttered an exclamation of joy, as they lowered my palanquin at the door of James M'Phail, an indigoplanter, who resided close to the place where the suttee was to take place.

It was just daybreak, but I found my friend up and stirring, doing the honours of his house to a large company of Europeans who had come to behold the strange ceremony. Amongst others were a local judge, and another magistrate, who had ridden over officially to try and dissuade the wretched fanatic from immolating herself, and had brought with them two companies of sepoys, and

their officers, to protect her, should she consent to forego the dreadful rite. The British orders on this head are most clear. The authorities are forbidden to interfere, or forcibly prevent the suicidal immolation of a religious enthusiast, who chooses to destroy herself on the funeral pile with the dead body of her husband; but at the same time they are commanded to be present, to urge the unhappy victim to avoid the dreadful sacrifice, and, in case of her consent, to promise her defence and support from the Government. A sufficient force is also marched to the ground to overawe and prevent any op position by the natives, should the infatuated female relent from her fell purpose, and throw herself on the protection of the British authori

ties.

After making an excellent breakfast, and taking half a dozen. whiffs at the hookahs our host had provided for us, we sallied forth. We were just in time. The pile was placed in the centre of a large field. It was about twelve feet square, and four feet high. Every species of dry wood had been made use of to form it. The outward parts were of far more solid branches than the centre, which I could evidently see was filled up with brushwood and small twigs; so that when the edges were lighted, and the victim rushed to the centre, she would at once sink amidst the flames. The corpse of her deceased husband lay bare upon the pile, surrounded by his relatives as well as her own, who stood close to this part of the scene, uttering alternate lamentations and songs of joy. The players on the tom-tom (a sort of small noisy drum) were seated on the opposite side; the Brahmins and faqueers stood at the head. A crowd of at least a thousand natives surrounded the inner ring, into which, as Englishmen, we boldly entered. Our sepoys were drawn up at about two hundred yards distant, so as to show our power, but at the same time to prove our determination not to interfere, unless called on to do so.

Presently a hackary came creaking into the field, surrounded by religious men and women of all classes and orders, shouting, singing, and throwing flowers and aromatic powder under the feet of the oxen that drew the cart, and on the person of the female who sat inside it. It was evident that they were mad from excitement, or drunk from opium. Their gestures were frantic, their cries terrific. At length the hackary arrived beside the ring; and the young girl sprang out of it. She was not above fourteen, and certainly one of the sweetest-looking natives I ever recollect seeing. The British judge instantly went up to her, and drawing her aside, energetically remonstrated with her on her wickedness and folly in thus sacrificing her life. She would scarcely hear him out. She was, I verily believe, more than half intoxicated, and seemed to pant for the coming moment, anxious to prove her unshaken constancy to her late husband, as well as desirous of showing her courage. Flying, therefore, from the magistrate, she rushed towards the Brahmins, who quickly handed her on to the pile, and, giving her a lighted torch, began a sort of chant, accompanied by the tom-toms, whilst they and others lighted their brands. Suddenly a signal was given, and the suicide herself threw her burning torch into the furze, which as instantly ignited. She then began to sing furiously, madly, dancing about on the fatal pile. At the same instant her friends and the priests of Brahma set fire to it in every direction. The flames arose-I could

still see the victim throwing herself about in every attitude of joy and triumph. At length the fire touched her, and human nature triumphed I heard her distinctly scream. It was all that I was allowed to hear from her; for at that moment every tom-tom, every instrument, every voice was raised as loud as possible, undoubtedly to drown her cries. It was evident to me that agony had sobered her, and that she not only shrieked, but even attempted to escape her doom. But it was now, alas! too late. The crowd pressed close to the pile, and we were quietly, but effectually, squeezed out of the ring. I could still see the flames rising majestically from this pagan altar, and could, I fancied, hear the cries of the devoted victim; but it was, alas! now out of our power to assist her. She had refused our succour, we were bound not to interfere. I turned away with an aching heart, and returned to M'Phail's residence.

I visited the spot next day; the grass was burnt up where the pile had stood; nothing else betokened the sacrifice, or indicated the exact place where I had beheld the 'suttee.'

A TRUE STORY.

MANY years ago, it was found necessary to besiege the fort called Budge-Budge, some few miles from Calcutta down the river, which the natives held in spite of our remonstrances, probably supported in their hostile obstinacy by the Dutch and French governments, who, as all the world knows, have several settlements in the East Indies. These settlements we could wrest from them in an instant, but, for some unaccountable reason or other, we have allowed them to remain in their hands, to the no small hindrance of justice and equity; since it frequently happens that characters deserving punishment for their offences have merely to cross the river, and in ten minutes are beyond the pale of British law, having found refuge in Chinsurah, or some other foreign town. The existence of these little colonies has a still worse effect in case of disaffection amongst the Indians, inasmuch as they are ever ready to pour forth foreign emissaries, who urgently foment the feud, and mislead the poor natives, by holding out hopes of assistance from their respective

countries.

Such had been the case with Budge-Budge, the aforesaid fort, before which a couple of frigates and some armed boats were lying at the time of my sketch. The native garrison, which amounted to about six hundred men, had vainly been summoned to surrender. They vowed they would rather die than do so. For three days long shots had been fired at them; but, as the fortress was built of mud, no sooner was the smallest breach made than it was instantly closed up, and rebuilt stronger than ever. One of the commanders advised the adoption of a storming party; his brother officer, however, differed from him, urging that the place was too well garrisoned to be easily carried by assault. The opinions of the two leaders were forwarded to Calcutta, and the reply was expected to be returned on the

morrow.

James Bunting (so we will call the old tar) heard all these pa

lavers, as he styled them, and looked very knowing. He understood there was a chance of fighting, so he felt perfectly delighted. To his berth he descended, and as usual, when he was particularly happy, managed to get particularly drunk, and turned in evidently the worse for liquor. Now, it so happened that in about an hour after he had thus settled himself in his hammock, he suddenly awoke. A burning fever, an agonizing thirst parched his mouth, so he arose, and went to his locker; but, alas! he had drunk every drop of liquid he possessed, and where to find more he knew not. On board the vessel he had no hopes; shore was his only chance, so, unseen by any one, he made his way into the water by lowering himself from the chains, or from a port-hole, or some such place, and struck out for the beach, where he landed safely, in spite of alligators, sentinels, and all other similar oppositions.

When he had shaken the water from his hair, and hitched up his trowsers, he began to look around for a toddy-shop, where he could purchase some of that liquor, or some arrack, to take the chill off the water he had swallowed; but, alas! no building of the kind met his view, not a single habitation could he see. The fort frowned

gloomily over him in sullen grandeur; no other place where spirits were likely to be found could he discover, though he peered anxiously round on every side. To lose his time, to be laughed at by his comrades on his return for the wild-goose chase he had undertaken, was by no means palatable to Bunting. To be baulked is a maxim unknown to a British sailor; so, rather than lose his grog, he determined to lose his life, or, at all events, risk it. Without farther ado, he began scaling the walls of the fort. This he easily managed, and in a few moments found himself at the top of the glacis. Elated at his success, he began shouting as loud as ever he could bawl, to the horror of the garrison, who instantly fancying themselves assailed, started up, and were about to run to the spot where they supposed the attacking party had made good a lodgment, when Jim, who had scampered round the defences, again began to shout from the opposite side, and suddenly lowering himself into the town itself, commenced cheering as loud as he could, intermingling his vociferations with cries for liquor.

Assailed, as they supposed, on both sides, the enemy actually in the fortress, surprised in the middle of the night, expecting nothing less than to be cut to pieces in the dark, what could they do? The bravest might well hesitate; unable to get their forces together, confused, and astounded, they naturally believed that they had been betrayed. They had but one course left to pursue. They opened the gates, and fled as fast and as far as their feet would carry them, leaving the town in the quiet and peaceable possession of James Bunting, who, after shouting vainly for some time, fell down, and slept for a couple of hours, when he awoke, perfectly sober, though about as much puzzled at finding himself alone, and in the enemy's fort, as the poor man was in the Arabian Nights, when he suddenly found himself transformed into an eagle.

Jim rubbed his eyes. He pinched his legs, and walking up to a tank, actually drank three mouthfuls of water before he could believe that he was awake. He then strutted up to the ramparts; and convinced himself he was in his proper senses, for there lay the two