A TRIAL BY RICE.

Evening Star, Issue 14214, 13 November 1909, Page 11

A TRIAL BY RICE.

They have peculiar nrelbods of trying suspects in Bengal. One of those is called “Trial by Rice” mays a writer in the September ‘Wide World Magazine"). After n_ priest had been consulted as to an auspicious day, every person suspected, and those who were usually near tlic place al night, were ordered to be. present at ten o’clock that morning. On that date all turned up. First the people were made to sit in a semi-circle, and a "plate” ( a square of plantain leaf) was :-ct before cadi. Then it priest walked up and down chanting and scattering llowers. These said flowers, by the way, must bo picked by a Brahmin, and they must bo those which are facing tho sun. This cereme.ny over, one of the dorks went to each man and gave him about two ounces nf dry raw rice, and told him to chew it to a pulp. Then commenced what looked like a chewing match. After about ten minutes had elapsed they were told to stop, and eject it into the planta in leaf. All did so easily with tho exception of three men. In the case of these three the chewed rice hul in two cases become slightly moistened, hut not sufficiently so to allow of its being easily ejected,' and they bad much ado to get rid of it, Tire third man had chewed his into ilour. and it came nut as such, perfectly dry. One of these three men promptly commenced to cry. and begged for mercy, confessing everything, and stating that man number three, who had acted as a kind of flourmill, was the chief instigator. It is a curious tact that tear, arising from an evil conscience, prevents saliva coming to the mouth, with the result described.