1 128 POPULATION, MANNERS, AND CUSTOMS.
2 the fact, that it is not only thefavoured wife,
3 but a whole host of females, that sometimes are
4 offered up to blaze on the pyre of their deceased
5 lord. In most cases of Suttee, it will generally
6 be observed, that a slow, reluctant promise has
7 been extracted from, or made by, the wretched
8 woman in an unguarded moment, when under
9 the influence of grief. A multitude is imme-
10 diately assembled round her dwelling and person.
11 Clamour and precipitancy succeed; no time is
12 permitted for reflection: honour, shame, and
13 duty, all now combine to strengthen her bloody
14 resolution—and the scene is hurried through,
15 and closed.
16 ‘‘ Debtors and revenue defaulters who abscond,
17 and find protection in a foreign state, are
18 seldom demanded; and if demanded, never sur-
19 rendered by even the most petty chief. The
20 promise is made, that when the delinquent has
21 the means he shall discharge whatever sum may
22 appear, on a scrutiny into his accounts, to be
23 fairly due by him. It is not uncommon for a
24 deputation, composed of the heads, or of some
25 respectable inhabitants, of a town or village from
26 which a person has removed, to proceed and wait
27 upon the chief with whom a fugitive may find an
28 asylum, and entering into stipulations for his per-
29 sonal safety, to receive him back if he be willing
30 to return.”