1 224
2 80RTE8 VIRGILIANA
3 the other iptettyf wad I was a good deal surprised to find the mitriiter**
4 confidence arose entirely from the result of some augury firom the
5 position of arrows. The minister observed my disappointment, and
6 proceeded to remove it, by assuring me that he had as little fiuth -
7 as I had in the vulgar metli<Hls of divination, but that this par-
8 ticului mode was oae recommeoded by the prophet, and never
9 known to fail.
10 The Atghauns (though as great diviners in other respects) do not
11 think these appeals to Providence so necessary bel'ore tbev com-
12 mence any undei lakiag, and make a merit of their Towukkul Ixh
13 Khooda, or reliance upon God. They not unfrequently begin a
14 journey by a short prayer, which commences, " I place rov reliance
15 ** on Almighty God," &c. &c It is common witli them to encou-
16 rage a man to embark in a difficolt adrentore, by saying Towuk-
17 « kill be Khooda Khoona booiow,** *' Vuk your trust in God, and
18 « go on."
19 Hie most elegant means employed to prognosticate liituie events,
20 is one which answers to our Sortes Viigilianss. It is perfiirined bgr
21 opening a book at random, and applying the fint vene tliat meets the
22 eye, to the snlgect of the inquiry: th^ best book for the purpose is
23 the Korann, and the trial ought tobe pteoeded by finting and prayer,
24 which indeed ate necessary in all attempts at dhinayon: othcrbooki
25 aie^ however, employed, and the poems of Haufia ine perhaps as much
26 used as the Koraun. The following happy ooinddcnce oocuned to a
27 person at Lahore, who consulted Haufiz at the beginning the
28 troubles produced by the deposition of Shauh Zemaun, which ended,
29 after three years of confusion, in the elevation of Shauh Sbooja, Hia
30 object was to ascertain which of the' sons of Timour Shauh would,
31 obtain tlie throne in the end, and the verse that met his ejre was die
32 fijUowing:
33 ** Sdber iukutiice ghee bum resecd uiuzh dch bcgooiti,
34 f* JUk Down Shanbi Skkotjau lut mye dilcer be nooah."
35 to
36 Digitizeo by Googlc