Europeans.* Some idea of their number may be formed from the seminaries and asylums in Calcutta, where upwards of 500 half-caste girls, illegitimate daughters by native mothers of the higher ranks, are genteelly educated." +

With regard to the prevailing prejudice in favour of a European complexion, Bishop Heber cites a curious illustration of the native feeling. At certain times of the year, great numbers of the Hindoo idols are hawked about the streets at Calcutta. They are of clay, closely resembling in composition, colouring, and execution, (though of course not in form,) the more paltry images which are carried about in this country for sale by the Lago di Como people. It is not till they have been solemnly washed in the Ganges by a Brahmin pundit, that they are considered as possessing a sacred character. Before they are thus consecrated, they are frequently given as toys to children, and used as ornaments to rooms. " I thought it remarkable," says the Bishop," that, though most of the male deities are represented of a deep brown colour, like the natives of the country, the females are usually not less red and white than our porcelain beauties as exhibited in England. But it is evident, from the expressions of most of the Indians themselves, from the style of their amatory poetry, and other circumstances, that they consider fairness as a part of beauty and a proof of noble blood. They do not like to be called black; and though the Abyssinians, who are sometimes met with in the country,

* "Some of these captivating fair ones are so irresistible, that many a young man sacrifices his future prospects at the altar of Hymen; for there is hardly an instance of one of these matches turning out well, the children being of a different tint of complexion from that of the father."

+ Fifteen Years, pp. 338, 9.

are very little darker than they themselves are, their jest-books are full of taunts on the charcoal com. plexion of the Hubshee. Much of this has, probably, arisen from their having been so long subjected to the Moguls and other conquerors, originally from more northern climates, and who continued to keep up the comparative fairness of their stock by frequent importation of northern beauties. It is remarkable, however, to observe, how surely all these races, in a few generations, even without any intermarriage with the Hindoos, assume the deep olive tint, little less dark than a negro, which seems natural to the climate. The Portuguese natives form unions among themselves alone, or, if they can, with Europeans. Yet, the Portuguese have, during a three hundred years residence in India, become as black as Caffres."*

One of the principal Hindoo festivals observed at Calcutta, is the Churruk poojah, in honour of the goddess Kali, of which we have the following description in Bishop Heber's Journal :

"On the 10th (of April), we were awakened before day-break, by the discordant sounds of native musical instruments; we immediately mounted our horses, and rode to the Meidan. The crowd was great and very picturesque. The music consisted chiefly of large double-drums, ornamented with plumes of black feathers, like those of a hearse, which rose considerably higher than the heads of the persons who played on them; large crooked trumpets, like the litui of the ancients; and small gongs suspended from a bamboo, which rested on the shoulders of two men, the last of whom played on it with a large, thick, and heavy drum-stick, or cudgel. All the

*Heber, vol. i. pp. 67, 8

persons who walked in the procession, and a large majority of the spectators, had their faces, bodies, and white cotton clothes daubed all over with vermilion ; the latter to a degree which gave them the appearance of being actually dyed rose-colour. They were also crowned with splendid garlands of flowers, with girdles and baldrics of the same. Many trophies and pageants of different kinds were paraded up and down, by stages drawn by horses or bullocks. Some were mythological, others were imitations of different European figures, soldiers, ships, &c.; and, in particular, there was one very large model of a steam-boat. The devotees went about with small spears through their tongues and arms, and still more with hot irons pressed against their sides. All were naked to the waist, covered with flowers, and plentifully raddled with vermilion, while their long, black, wet hair hung down their backs, almost to their loins. From time to time, as they passed us, they laboured to seem to dance; but, in general, their step was slow, their countenances expressive of resigned and patient suffering, and there was no appearance, that I saw, of any thing like frenzy or intoxication. The peaceableness of the multitude was also as remarkable as its number. No troops were visible, except the two sentries who at all times keep guard on two large tanks in the Meidân; no police, except the usual chokeydar, or watchman,* at his post near Allypoor Bridge; yet, nothing like quarrelling or rioting occurred, and very little scolding. A similar crowd in England would have

These watchmen are less numerous and not more efficient than their brethren in the streets of London. They do not cry the hour, but proclaim their wakefulness by uttering loud howls from time to time. They are armed with pistol, sword, and shield,

shewn three boxing-matches in half an hour; and in Italy, there would have been half a dozen assassinations before night....... This is one of their most famous festivals, and the people had assembled from all the neighbouring villages. The noise of the music continued till about noon, when the devotees retired to heal their wounds. These are said to be dangerous, and occasionally to prove fatal. One of our servants, a musalchee, or torch-bearer, of the lowest caste, (for it seems that none of a higher sort practise these cruelties,) ran about the house with a small spear through his tongue, begging money from his fellowservants. This man appeared stupified with opium, which, I am told, is generally taken by these poor wretches, to deaden their feelings; and the parts through which the spears are thrust, are said to be previously rubbed for a considerable time, till numb

ness ensues.

"In the evening, the Bishop walked to the Boitaconnah, the part of the city where the trees for swinging are erected: they are not suffered to be placed near the European residences. He arrived in time to be a spectator of the whole ceremony. The victim was led, covered with flowers, and without any apparent reluctance, to the foot of the tree: hooks were then thrust through the muscles of his sides, which he endured without shrinking, and a broad bandage was fastened round his waist, to prevent the hooks from being torn through by the weight of his body. He was then raised up, and whirled round; at first, the motion was slow, but, by degrees, was increased to considerable rapidity. In a few minutes it ceased; and the by-standers were going to let him down, when he made signs that they should proceed : this resolution was received with great applause by the

crowd, and, after drinking some water, he was again spun round."*

The most popular, however, of all the Hindoo poojahs held in Bengal, is the Sharudeeya or autumnal festival, held in honour of the goddess Doorga. Immense sums are expended upon it; all business throughout the country is laid aside for several days, and universal festivity and licentiousness prevail. A short time before the festival, the sirkars and pundits employed in Calcutta usually return home, and keep a holiday of several weeks. "During the celebration of the Doorga poojah," says Mr. Wallace, "which occupies several days, the rich natives of Calcutta vie with each other in giving splendid nautches for three nights, to which Europeans are invited by printed cards, couched in the most polite terms. Temporary buildings are erected for this display of eastern profusion, in which vast sums are annually spent ; and at some of the nautches, I have seen two hundred persons sit down to a sumptuous supper, where champagne circulated like water, and the richest ices were melted in the most costly liquors. These grand supper-rooms were lighted with a profusion of chandeliers and wax tapers under Indian table-shades, while the brilliancy was reflected by countless mirrors, and the atmosphere cooled by punkoes, tatties, and jets d'eau; artificial wildernesses breathed forth perfumes, and endless varieties of flowers called to recollection the scenes of Arabian story. Of these suppers, the Hindoos will

• Heber, vol. i. pp. 99-101.

"In the city of Calcutta alone, it is supposed, upon a moderate calculation, that half a million sterling is expended annually on this festival. About fifty years ago (from 1811), Kundurpoo Gooroo, a Kaisthu, expended in this worship 38,000l., and spent 12,500l. annually, as long as he lived, in the same manner."Ward's Hindoos, ii. 109.