A DISCONSOLATE WIDOW.

Auckland Star, Volume VIII, Issue 2241, 12 May 1877, Page 3

A DISCONSOLATE WIDOW.

The latest Police Administration Report of the Madras Presidency contains an authenticated story of some interest. The facts are vouched for by the District Superintendent of Tinnevelly, South India, the successor of a native gentleman Avho made himself notorious some years ago by capturing three dacoits who had committed a horrible murder, and, lest they should escape, causing the three to be hung to a tree then and there ! The present Superintendent tells how a Avidow lady, aged 25, by the well-known process of suttee, deliberated sacrificed herself in honor of her husband the other day. She Avas childless, and, loving her departed lord fondly, she seriously determined to have a small pit and bonfire in her house, and perform the solemn act of self-cremation. This she accomplished in the most thorough manner, Avith a good deal df religious . feeling and ceremonial observances. The somewhat startling rite was performed at the toAvn of Rama Chandra Puram, in the Stri-vili Puthur division of the province. Formontksfl before she reduced herself to ashes shei prepared for the awful act, She spent all her money and jewels on religiousf mendicants, Avho doubtless had their owif private reasons for not thwarting her in he J holy design. We must, leave the Superinjj tendent of Police to tell the rest of hiJ tale A feAV days before her death shew unassisted, dug a pit in the floor of one of her rooms. The pit was filled by her AvitM sandal and other scented Avood. She steepel her clothes in a dye of which the principal ingredient appears to have been red ochrajj Having made these preparations, she, ojjj! the night alluded to, secured all the dooi«! of her house from inside, enveloped he* self in her dyed garments, set fire to tbffl Avood, aud threw herself into the flame 1 It Avas a purely voluntary act. No oi j assisted her.' Her body avus found in tl J I pit on the followiug day, a charred mas There were also some fragments of dy< cloth. An inquest avus held, and the bo< burned.' The last act of the dismal tragei may seem superfluous, but they do thin thoroughly in India ; and no doubt all Rar Chandra Puram turned out to see thewid< burnt by law who had burnt herself fgj love. •