to one of their temples; but in such a manner, as to make her and the 

people believe, that she is carried away by the god who is there 

worshipped; who being violently in love with her, took that method to 

procure her for his wife. This done, they perform a nuptial ceremony, 

and make her further believe that she is married to the god; when, in 

reality, she is only married to one of the Fakiers who personates him. 

Women who are treated in this manner are revered by the people as the 

wives of the gods, and by that stratagem secured solely to the Fakiers, 

who have cunning enough to impose themselves as gods upon some of these 

women, through the whole of their lives. In countries where reason is 

stronger than superstition, we almost think this impossible: where the 

contrary is the case, there is nothing too hard to be credited. 

Something like this was done by the priests of ancient Greece and Rome; 

and a few centuries ago, tricks of the same nature were practiced by the 

monks, and other libertines, upon some of the visionary and enthusiastic 

women of Europe. Hence we need not think it strange, if the Fakiers 

generally succeed in attempts of this nature; when we consider that they 

only have to deceive a people brought up in the most consummate 

ignorance; and that nothing can be more flattering to female vanity, 

than for a woman to suppose herself such a peculiar favorite of the 

divinity she worships, as to be chosen, from all her companions, to the 

honor of being admitted to his embraces; a favor, which her 

self-admiration will dispose her more readily to believe than examine. 

MAHOMETAN PLURALITY OF WIVES. 

But it is not the religion of the Hindoos only, that is unfavorable to 

chastity; that of Mahomet which now prevails over a great part of India, 

is unfavorable to it likewise. Mahometanism every where indulges men 

with a plurality of wives while it ties down the women to the strictest 

conjugal fidelity; hence, while the men riot in unlimited variety, the 

women are in great numbers confined to share among them the scanty 

favors of one man only. This unnatural and impolitic conduct induces 

them to seek by art and intrigue, what they are denied by the laws of 

their prophet. As polygamy prevails over all Asia, this art and intrigue 

follow as the consequence of it; some have imagined, that it is the 

result of climate, but it rather appears to be the result of the 

injustice which women suffer by polygamy; for it seems to reign, as much 

in Constantinople, and in every other place where polygamy is in 

fashion, as it does on the banks of the Ganges, or the Indus. The famous