Mysteries of the East with an axe and poured his blood out before the idol.
Isman UNbzawom A First-hand Account of Hindu Saints, Sorcerers, and Superstitions. By M. Paul Dare, late News Editor of the quod oh Mala." "Rider," London.
Mr, M, Hall Dare as a. result of some years' activity as news editor of the "Times of India" and considerable study of India and the customs of its people has written a most engrossing book, so interesting that it is difficult to estimate which particular chapter has the most appeal to the reader. Undoubtedly that dealing with the rope trick and other mysteries will appeal to a large number of readers, chiefly because of the fact that most people have heard of the former and because opinion is so strongly divided, first as to whether the trick has ever been performed, and secondly as to whether it has at any time been possible, Probably the most telling test from the point of view of the sheer materialist has been the failure of anybody to come forward and perform this trick in order to reap the considerable rewards which have been offered. The most substantial story of the trick is that told by Mr. Gulam M. Munshi who actually avers that he saw it performed on the open ground in front of his hotel. There are hosts of other people who have not seen it themselves but who allege that they know somebody who has. By many people hearsay evidence will not be accepted, but when it is realized that in some legal jurisdiction it is, with of course due appreciation of the fact that such testimony is either second or third-hand, probably in the general view this' must be taken as some sort of substantiation of the eyewitnesses' story. The whole question of credibility in these circumstances must depend upon the evidence, and on this subject the author writes This particular case is taken from a work by Arthur Miles, whose "Land of the Lingam" was reviewed in these columns some two or three years back.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.