Rhode Island American And Providence Gazette

BURNING OF HINDOO WIDOWS.

To the editor of the Bombay Courier.

SIR—I think an account of a suttee which took place in this city two evenings ago, will show you, in a most striking manner, with what cruelty they are sometimes accompanied. The unfortunate Brahminee, of her own accord, had ascended the funeral pile of her husband's bones (for he had died at a distance) but finding the torture of the fire more than she could bear, by a violent struggle she threw herself from the flames, and tottering to a short distance, fell down; some gentlemen who were present, immediately plunged her into the river, which was close by, and thereby saved her from being much burnt. She retained her senses completely and complained of the badness of the pile, which she said consumed her so slowly that she could not bear it, but expressed her willingness to again try it; if they would improve it; they would not do so, and the poor creature shrunk with dread from the flames, which were now burning most intensely, and refused to go on. When the inhuman relations saw this, they took her by the head and heels and threw her in the fire, and held her there till they were driven away by the heat; they also took up large blocks of wood, with which they struck her, in order to deprive her of her senses; but she again made her escape, and without help ran into the river. The people of her house followed her here, and tried to drown her by pressing her under the water; but a gentleman who was present rescued her from them, and she immediately ran into his arms and cried to him to save her. I arrived at the ground as they were bringing her this second time from the river, and I cannot describe to you the horror I felt, on seeing the mangled condition she was in; almost every inch of skin on her body had been burnt off;—her legs and thighs, her arms and back, were completely raw, her breasts were dreadfully torn, and the skin hanging from them in threads; the skin and nails of her fingers had peeled wholly off, and were hanging to the back of her hands. In fact, Sir, I never saw, or ever read of so entire a picture of misery, as this poor woman displayed. She seemed to dread being again taken to the fire, and called out to the 'Orcha Sahib,' as she feelingly denominated them, to save her. Her friends seemed no longer inclined to force her; and one of her relations at her instigation, sat down beside her, and gave her some clothes, and told her they would not. We had her sent to the hospital, where every medical assistance was immediately given her, but without hope of recovery. She lingered in the most excruciating pain for about 24 hours, and then died.

The gentlemen present remonstrated against her being put on the fire a second time, but they did not like to interfere further with what they considered the custom of the country.

I am, Mr. Editor, your's &c.

Proona, July 30.