If indeed Mr. Dare has seen a sadhu walking across a 200 foot ravine in mid-air, there is absolutely no reason why, if the law of gravity can be defeated in such a manner, a Hindu magician should not be able to throw up a rope into the alr up which a Tad can clamber and disappear, finally to be found in some other portion of the surrounding area—but the average so-called level-headed person, even it he saw it, would be inclined to doubt the eMcigney of his senses. There is theory that such performances have bbeon the result of a form of mass hypnotism, but opposed to this there are reported Instances where observer who does not appear to have been overcome by the spell has photo-strophed the trick in process and found nothing of interest on. his plates. That, of course, might be offset by another Hifilu' belief, "that possible to suspend the' laws of light with regard to the camera on certain spiritual occasions. That again some people may believe, while others most certainly will not. self says, the ultimate abolition of both will' have to come from within Hinduism itself, if at all, the plain truth being that "the English are thoroughly detested in India and al attempts to interfere with basic practices of the Hindu faith out deepen the hatred and drive these rites underground." The author makes good ease in showing why these practices should endure, If it is an age-old legend that the fertility of the earth depends upon the spilling over it of human blood or the burying in it of human flesh taken in ritual sacrifice, it is diMeult' to believe that Hindu beliefs have so pro-grossed up to the present that they themselves have discarded -this very} terrible practice. Mr. Dare suggests that even now such sacrifices are-occasionally being offered, and he quotes a case which came to light 1932: when priest of a vila coimbatore "alstriet was. te for) murder after sacrificing his. twelve: Yeatzeld son to appease. the wrath of Were appeased" with human blood She" appeared" to" the "priest fas ison, and told him "poky the blood 3 Mh, "en hon cod eae fo" ho ecaptsted the ey with an axe and poured 5 out before the idol... epee This particular case is taken, from a work by Arthur Miles, whose "Land o the Lingam™ was. reviewed. those columns some two or three yours back.
Towards the Light If human sacrifice does still persist there is every reason to believe that animal sacrifice is not only continuing but on a very wide scale. Tt must be remembered that, with perhaps very few exceptions, the religions of the world have demanded the pro-biliation of gods, and that through the ages they have called for not only the sacrifice of animals and of wealth, but also of human life, and apparent that in some parts of the fla, work mankind has to" progress a very great distance before those practices are eventually abandoned. One of the outstanding features of the book is the manner in which the general insistence upon blood plays great part not only in the ordinary superstitions of the people but in their religious practices. There probably some very good psychologic al reason why this vestigial remnant should still be found in the world, but it is very obviously the task of more enlightened races to work towards that time when these degrade ing superstitions shalt be abolished from the earth. That it would seem still a long way ahead, but it must come if ever such a' country as India is to make that progress which from its size and the natural ability of its people should be brought about.
The work is a most interesting one and full of a large number of instunees {o support the case which the author makes out. It is somewhat depressing reading, but nevertheless, coming from such a pen as his, it is fan important first-hand account. of Hindu saints, sorcerers and superstitions.—n, 7, p-c.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.