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 2) (London, 1832)

ANECDOTE OF SHAH SHEBIF. 291

the clay it has quitted. Yet, if it be a matter
of great consideration with you, be assured that,
many pious men and Durweish, whose respect
we have enjoyed in life, will not fail to give
decent interment to the remains of those they
have loved and respected."

This for a moment baffled the wife in her
argument; but presently she persuasively urged
that her daughters were all young, that they had
as yet seen but little of this world, and there-
fore it would be cruel to take them away so
soon; they must desire to see more of this life
ere they entered on another state of existence.
" Oh, my wife," said the Durweish, " you reason
badly; this life hath no joys to be compared
with those which the righteous man's hopes lead
him to expect in the world beyond the grave.
I will assuredly make my promised prayer, if
I find a semblance of remaining grief upon
separating from me at the appointed time, for
our removal to perfect happiness."

"•No, no!" was cried by all the assembled
family; "do let us remain a little longer here,
we are not in a hurry to quit this world."

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