[96] Tom. xiii. p. 54.
[97] Tom. xiv. pp. 185, 186.
[98] Letters on the State of Christianity in India, p. 74. London, 1823.
[99] The Taly bears the image of the god Pollyar, supposed to preside over nuptial ceremonies. This most indecent idol was attached to a cord of 108 threads, and worn round their necks by the women ever after their marriage, as a wedding-ring.
[100] Crét. vol. v. p. 47. The italics are our own.
[101] The ashes of the cows’ dung are consecrated to the goddess Lakshini, and are supposed to cleanse from sin anybody to whom they are applied. The missionaries laid these ashes upon the altar near the crucifix (horrid to relate!) or the image of the Virgin, then consecrated and distributed them in the shape of little balls among their converts. This strange sort of Christians invoked a pagan divinity as often as they applied the dung to the body. Thus, when they rub it on the head or forehead, they say, Neruchigurm netchada Shiven—that is, may the god Shiva be within my head; when they rub it on the breast, they say, Manu Rudren—that is, may the god Rudren be in my breast; and so on.—See Mémoires Historiques, tom. iii. pp. 29, 30. Lucca, 1745.
[102] Crét. vol. v. p. 47.
[103] Crét. vol. v. p. 50.
[104] Father Norbert was a Capuchin missionary in India, who presented to Pope Benedict XIV. a book entitled, Mémoires Historiques sur les Missions des Indes Orientales. The work is illustrated with authentic documents. It was published with the approbation of all the ecclesiastical authorities, and never contradicted. Still, we will not quote Father Norbert as a proper authority, unless what he relates can be corroborated by other proofs.
[105] Mém. Hist. tom. prim. p. 142.