Show CREMATION IN INDIA Torri blo sights witnessed during the burning of human bodlos bodies I 1 ot th texi ceremonies performed at t tho he fu file an agonizing spectacle for stran gore to relio liL aak Is in traveling through india large bonfires fire are frequently to he be seen in sc io eluded spots on the outskirts ot of cities surrounded by apparently merry in mak ak in ing circles of natives the cho scenes which greet the observer of such are often grand and impressive such was the one which it was the good fortune of a writer for the boston transcript to witness one afternoon while wandering through the suburbs of bombay to escape for awhile tho the bustle and confusion of this magnificent city of temples and palaces lie he discovered through the trees in the distance tho the familiar bonfire being an ArrieT american iCan with the bump of curiosity strongly developed an irresistible desire to approach this particular spot predominated the scene contrasted strangely stran Rely with what was anticipated A group of men sat piously guarding this sacred fire for it proved to be that the last rites were being enacted to a kinsman among this particular caste the last tribute to the dead is one ona striking in its solemn originality when men life becomes extinct the body of the deceased strongly i impregnated with the odor of sweet spices is is swathed in the finest linen and pe permitted r in i eted to remain a few hours in the midst of the bereaved friends whose lamentations and stran strange e wail in ings s is as if from another world arc to say the least appealing in token taken of their intense grief each member of the family submits immediately to the operation pe ration of having theli the hair air cut off the bend head should ibbe it be a widow who is left to mourn as her ter sorrow is still greater her head is completely shaven these daughters of the east overflow with pride for their beautiful tresses hence it is that it is sacrificed at the altar of the dead meanwhile the remains with much ceremony ire are borne forth forsh on a wa wagon ori with an arch of ru rush sh matting of considerable sid erable height concealing it from the gaze it is ib usually drawn by bullocks bullock and sand accompanied by immediate friends only to receive earths last peace offering oil ering at the shrine of the gods Arri arriving vinz at the holy place the deceased is taken from the bier and placed with much solemnity in the heat of f the yet slowly kindling bra brands ads 0 the men icen wi wrapped appedu in the purest white sheets withdraw to a little distance under the shade not a word is spoken no requiem sun sung the time is devoted to silent supplications ions to the gods whose brazen or stone figures stand near by in attitudes of the profoundest humility at intervals raisin raising their heads apparently then falling to the earth on their faces again standing with their arms extended they offer their petitions A few sit gloomily under the olive trees whose duty it is to keep the fire up to a certain pitch never seeming to relax relas a muscle Stid suddenly denly the tha gestures cease an attitude of intense anxiety now prevails the anxious eyes are now fixed severely on the firo fire that ii ia slowly consuming sumin the remains of their fellow man t they hey look expectant or as if on the alert for something presently the body released of its pinions severed by the fire moves springs perhaps to an upright po position amidst the flames scattering the fire in all directions it is a sight most revolting and horrible in the extreme causin causing even a little consternation among 0 tha the 7 natives to the stranger the spectacle is agonizing to behold for it seems a human soul surging and swaying amidst a whirling mass of blue vapor ES as if struggling in deaths a agony ony we are told that when thy the fire r readies a certain portion of the back tho the contraction causes the body to rise to a sitting hitting position all the mourners in onu ono accord call upon the name of the most then rush to the spot and press heavily on the ghist ghast I 1 figure with great poles each moment with renewed vigor until it resists 6 no longer and sinks to be finally lost amid the fury of the flames tho the fire having by this time increased to its height once more the mourners seek their retreat and prostrate themselves silently the deities foursome for home moments then utter loud ejaculations and supplications ions to the gods this ILI 1 I 1 1 s time if possible with greater solemnity t y and reverence then they resume their former positions to keep again th their clr vigil il of the dead the voices die out and in silent meditation they patiently watch the embers away until all is ok 01 er and the ashes of their kins raan aro are floating widely through the air |