Observations on the Mussulmauns of India | Page 7

mode of worship.--Propitiatory offerings.--Supposed to be invulnerable to fire.--The Maadhaars or Duffelees.--Character of the founder.--Pilgrimage to his tomb.--Females afflicted on visiting it.--Effects attributed to the violation of the sanctuary by a foreigner.--Superstition of the Natives.--Anecdote of Sheikh Suddoo and the Genii.--The way of the world exemplified, a Khaunie (Hindoostaunie fable).--Moral fable.--The King who longed for fruit...Page 370
LETTER XXVI
Superstition of the Natives.--Fair annually kept by Hindoos.--Supposed practice of witchcraft by an old woman.--Assaulted by an infuriated populace.--Rescued by a Native gentleman.--He inquires their reasons for persecuting her.--Is instrumental in appeasing their malignity.--Endeavours to remove their prejudice.--Proneness of Asiatics to superstition.--Opinion of a Mussulmaun on the influence of evil spirits.--Account of a woman possessed by an evil spirit.--Dialogue with her during the paroxysms of her affliction.--Means used for her recovery.--Further allusions to the false notions of the Natives respecting supernatural agency...Page 387
LETTER XXVII
Memoir of the life of Meer Hadjee Shah.--His descent.--Anecdote of a youthful exploit.--His predilection for the army.--Leaves his home to join the army of a neighbouring Rajah.--Adventures on the way.--Is favourably received and fostered by the Rajah.--His first pilgrimage to Mecca.--Occurrences during his stay in Arabia.--Description of a tiger-hunt.--Detail of events during his subsequent pilgrimages.--The plague.--Seizure by pirates.--Sketch of the life of Fatima, an Arabian lady.--Relieved from slavery by Meer Hadjee Shah.--He marries her.--Observations on the piety of his life.--Concluding remarks...Page 400
INDEX...Page 427

INTRODUCTORY LETTER
Actuated by a sense of duty to the people with whom twelve years of my life were passed on terms of intimacy and kindness, I was induced to write the principal number of the following Letters as faithful sketches of the Manners, Customs, and Habits of a people but little known to the European reader. They were at first designed merely for the perusal of private friends; who, viewing them with interest, recommended my bringing them before the public, considering that the information they contained would be acceptable from its originality, as presenting a more familiar view of the opinions and the domestic habits of the Mussulmaun community of Hindoostaun than any hitherto presented through other channels.
I have found (and I believe many will coincide with me in the opinion) that it is far easier to think with propriety than to write our thoughts with perspicuity and correctness; but when the object in view is one which conscience dictates, the humblest effort of a female pen advances with courage; and thus influenced, I venture to present my work to the public, respectfully trusting they will extend their usual indulgence to a first attempt, from the pen of a very humble scribe, more solicitous for approbation than applause.
The orthography of Asiatic words may differ in some instances in my pages from those of other writers--this, however, is from error, not design, and may be justly attributed to my own faulty pronunciation.
I have inserted in these Letters many anecdotes and fables, which at the first view, may be considered as mere nursery tales. My object, however, will I trust plead my excuse: they are introduced in order to illustrate the people whom I have undertaken to describe; and, primarily strengthened by the moral tendency of each anecdote or fable selected for my pages, I cannot but consider them as well suited to the purpose.
Without farther apology, but with very great deference, I leave these imperfect attempts to the liberality of my readers, acknowledging with gratitude the condescending patronage I have been honoured with, and sincerely desiring wherever anticipations of amusement or information from my observations have been formed, that the following pages may fulfil those expectations, and thus gratify my wish to be in the smallest degree useful in my generation.
[B. MEER HASSAN ALI]

OBSERVATIONS, ETC.
LETTER I
Introductory Remarks.--The characteristic simplicity of manners exhibited in Native families.--Their munificent charity.--The Syaads.--Their descent, and the veneration paid to them.--Their pride of birth.--Fast of Mahurrum.--Its origin.--The Sheahs and Soonies.--Memorandum of distances.--Mount Judee (Judea), the attributed burying-place of Adam and Noah.--Mausoleum of Ali.--The tomb of Eve.--Meer Hadjee Shaah.
I have promised to give you, my friends, occasional sketches of men and manners, comprising the society of the Mussulmauns in India. Aware of the difficulty of my task, I must entreat your kind indulgence to the weaknesses of a female pen, thus exercised for your amusement, during my twelve years' domicile in their immediate society.
Every one who sojourns in India for any lengthened period, will, I believe, agree with me, that in order to promote health of body, the mind must be employed in active pursuits. The constitutionally idle persons, of either sex, amongst Europeans, are invariably most subject to feel distressed by the prevailing annoyances of an Indian climate: from a listless life results discontent, apathy, and often disease. I have found, by experience, the salutary effects of employing time, as regards, generally, healthiness of body and of mind. The hours devoted to this occupation (tracing