Meer Hassan Ali, B.: Observations on the Mussulmauns of India: descriptive of their manners, customs, habits, and religious opinions ; made during a twelve years residence in their immediate Society (Band 1) (London, 1832)

296 ECLIPSE OF THE MOON.

the children of his friends, who wore them en-
closed in silver cases on their arms.

An eclipse of the moon is an event of great
interest, both with the Mussulmaun and the
Hindoo population, although they have very
opposite ideas of the causes of an eclipse.

Many of the notions entertained by the lower
classes of Mussulmauns upon the nature of an
eclipse are borrowed from the Hindoos. Some
think that it is caused by the anger of God to-
wards the people of the earth; others say the
moon is in debt, and many other equally odd
conceits exist amongst the ignorant people, and
among them only. Yet a sensation of awe is
felt by most; and where is the intelligent
creature who can view an eclipse or any other
phenomenon of Nature without the same feeling
of awe, although all are not equally ready to
express the sensation ?

Loud cries from the mixed population, Mus-
sulmauns and Hindoos, announce the com-
mencement of an eclipse, whether it be of the
sun or the moon. The voice of the Mussul-
maun is distinguished by the Namaazies' call to