84 T R A V E L S . I IN
fire, and the body being let down, the vi&im throws herfelf
into the flaming mafs*. In other places, a pile is railed extremely
high, and the body with the wife is placed upon -it,'
and the whole is fet on fire. Whatever is the means, reafon"
and nature fo revolt at th^ddea, that, were it hot a'well-known
and well-authenticated circumftance, it would hardly obtain
credit. In truth, I cannot but confefs, that fome degree of
incredulity was' mingled with curiofity on this occafionj and
the defire of afcertaining fo extraordinary- a fadt was my
greateit inducement to be a fpedtatar.
T he war which had commenced in this province in Auguft
was not compleatly finilhed by the month of • Odfober, although
the Rajah had left the country, and joined the army
of the Mahrattas under Madajee Scindia. The ftrong fortrefs
of Bidjegur yet held out again!! the troops commanded by
Major Popham j and I was happy to receive the commands
of Mr. Haftings to proceed to Bidjegur to make drawings of
that, and of the.fort of Lutteefpoor on the road.
A f t e r palling the open country, (the cultivation of which
had fullered but in a fmall degree from the recent dillurbances)
the traveller enters the jungles or woods, which furround the
fort of Lutteefpoor. The woods are chiefly compofed of
Bamboos, which come clofe to the walls of the fort, and are
fo very thick as in fome parts to be impenetrable. The fort is
built of ftonc, with the walls flanked with round towers, arid is