old, were slighter) and above seven feet long, fastened to the middle, through the tongue, and held fast by the teeth-the boys thus danced about without apparent pain. Some boys appeared with an arrow stuck through the flesh on either side, near the short rib; these arrows united in front, and, attached to a small torch, were held by the young votary, who, jocund, danced about in unison with his brother actors. I was present with one group, during the operation of fixing these arrows, and was astonished at the little sense of pain manifested on the occasion; the youngest, about twelve years old, scarce seemed to feel it. Some of the more robust appeared accoutred in a manner that conveyed a strong ́ sense of pain to the spectator. Two slips of bamboo, about half an inch broad, and twenty feet long, being passed through the flesh on either side, were united at the ends, and held in full tension by a man at each extreme, while the actor moved backward and forward, the lines passing through his flesh. The friction thus occasioned, must have been severe and painful, though, to check its influence, a man stood ready with some ghee* to keep the lines well lubricated.

I was present on a former day during the exhibition of a fire oblation, in which one of my own servants was the principal actor. Suspended by the heels from a transverse beam supported by two

* Clarified butter, made of buffalo's milk.

posts, his flowing hair brushed at every swing a large fire placed on the ground, till having at length scattered the fire with his hands, he descended and joined his party, who directly commenced a dance with naked feet on the live coals; and taking some in their hands, they thus kept moving until the fire was completely extinguished, and reduced to ashes-dancing and singing all the while to the loud dissonance of Indian minstrelsy.

The rites are said to be consecrated to Seeva, who is thus propitiated, by those who wish for offspring, the smiles of fortune, or pardon for their transgressions.

If some gentleman more conversant with the subject, possessing more leisure, and more correct sources of information, than an itinerant stranger, would favour the public with an ampler detail, and elucidation of the rites, ceremonies, and origin of this festival, I could at least insure him the thanks ofA TRAVELLER.

EXTEMPORE LINES ON SEEING THE TAJ MAH'L.

Oh thou! whose great imperial mind could raise
This splendid trophy to a woman's praise :
If joy or grief inspired the bold design,
No mortal joy or sorrow equalled thine!
Sleep on secure-this monument shall stand
When desolation's wing spreads o'er the land,
By Time and Death in one vast ruin hurl'd,
The last triumphant wonder of the world!

AN ODE.

A.]

[WRITTEN ON THE OCCASION OF THE RETREAT OF THE FRENCH OUT Of Russia.

HUMBLED and low see hapless Europe lie!

See patriots plead in vain their holy cause; Lo! Valour, hopeless-forc'd the field to fly, And Wisdom e'en, forswear her wonted laws!

A tyrant reigns—all nature seems appall'd,—
Freedom aghast, prepares to quit the world;
Fury and Terror on the earth have scope
In dire array :-and o'er each nation's hope
See Slav'ry's flag unfurl'd!

But shall the patriot's zeal be vain,

And Valour's force for e'er withstood?
Nor Wisdom's power the hand restrain,
Which bathes its palm in Europe's blood!

Forbid it Heav'n! And hark! th' inspiring sound
From Moscow's ancient walls which speeds along;
Exulting nations spread the tidings round,
And chaunt with general joy

Of Liberty the song.

No more the tyrant rears aloft in pride,

His blood-stained banner, and his eagle crest; Rent by the Russian bear, and scatter'd wide,

Th' unhallow'd fragments to the dust are press'd.

See the wild Cossack furious charge his rear,
And urge with direful thrust, his never failing spear!

Now Havoc summons to her dreadful car,

Each scheme of vengeance, and each arm of war!
Gleams the red thunder through his thronged ranks,
And scatters wild dismay and death around;
Ten thousand glitt'ring swords assail his flanks,
And strike their trembling victims to the ground.

From Moscow's smoking walls to Smolensk's tow'rs,
Mark the wide ruin which around him grows;
Thick and more thick the Russian tempest low'rs,
And pours hot vengeance on these ruthless foes.

From Smolensk's tow'rs to Krasnoy's fatal plain,
See the wild Cossack press his rear again :
There on that plain, he meets the deathful blow,
Which venges Europe's rights, and lays his glory low.
Now panic seizes on his scatter'd host,

Whose eager flight portends that all is lost!

But mark where yonder they again make stand
Close by the river's side, a desperate band!
Fourscore thousand warrior men,

The wreck of all their vast array,—
Met-but ne'er to meet again,

Nor homeward bend their willing way.

For two long days the rapid stream to pass,
In vain each effort and each art they try;

Opposing hosts their utmost skill surpass,

And on the blood-stained shore they sink and die. Now breaks the morn which seals at length their fate,

And dawns on Europe's hopes a brighter sun, though late!

Thine 'tis o'er ev'ry suff'ring land,

To spread thy wide protecting shield; And rouse the slumb'ring patriot band, The sword in Freedom's cause to wield.

Thine 'tis to bid pale sorrow's cheek,
In mantling smiles again be dress'd ;
To make the drooping mourner speak,
And pour the tide of joy

Through ev'ry aching breast!