a religious sect settled at Patna, and so called from a word contained in one of the commandments of their founder, which signifies learn thou. In books giving an account of oriental sects and oriental customs, we find mention made both of Seeks and Seiks; and we are strongly inclined to think that the same tribe is meant to be denominated by both words. If so, different authors write very differently of their principles and manners. We have already related something of the character of the Seiks under the article HINDOOS; but in the Asiatic Researches, Mr Wilkins gives a much more amiable account of the Seeks, which we lay before our readers with pleasure.

The Seeks are a sect distinguished both from the Musulmans and the worshippers of Brahma; and, from our author's account of them, must be an amiable people. He asked leave to enter into their chapel: They laid it was a place of worship, open to all men, but intimated that he must take off his shoes. On complying with this ceremony, he was politely conducted into the hall, and seated upon a carpet in the midst of the assembly. The whole building forms a square of about 40 feet. The hall is in the centre, divided from four other apartments by wooden arches, upon pillars of the same materials. The walls above the arches were hung with European looking-glasses in gilt frames, and with pictures. On the left hand, as one enters, is the chancel, which is furnished with an altar covered with cloth of gold, raised a little above the ground in a declining position. About it were several flower-pots and rose-water bottles, and three urns to receive the donations of the charitable. On a low desk, near the altar, stood a great book, of folio size, from which some portions are daily read in the divine service. When notice was given that it was noon, the congregation arranged themselves upon the carpet on each side of the hall. The great book and desk were brought from the altar, and placed at the opposite extremity. An old silver-haired man kneeled down before the desk, with his face towards the altar, and by him sat a man with a drum, and two or three with cymbals. The book was now opened, and the old man began to chant to the time of the instruments, and at the conclusion of every verse most of the congregation joined chorus in a response, with countenances exhibiting great marks of joy. Their tones were not harsh; the time was quick; and Mr Wilkins learned that the subject was a hymn in praise of the unity, omnipresence, and omnipotence of the Deity. The hymn concluded, the whole company got up and pretended their faces, with joined hands, towards the altar in the attitude of prayer. The prayer was a sort of litany pronounced by a young man in a loud and distinct voice; the people joining, at certain periods, in a general response. This prayer was followed by a short blessing from the old man, and an invitation to the assembly to partake of a friendly feast. A share was offered to Mr Wilkins, who was too polite to refuse it. It was a kind of sweetmeat composed of sugar and flower mixed up with clarified butter. They were next served with a few sugar plums; and thus ended the feast and ceremony.

In the course of conversation Mr Wilkins learned that the founder of this sect was Naneek Sah, who lived about 400 years ago; who left behind him a book, composed by himself in verse, containing the doctrines he had established; that this book teaches, that there is but one God, filling all space, and pervading all matter; and that there will be a day of retribution, when virtue will be rewarded, and vice punished. (Our author forgot to ask in what manner). It forbids murder, theft, and such other deeds as are by the majority of mankind esteemed crimes, and inculcates the practice of all the virtues; but, particularly, a universal philanthropy and hospitality to strangers and travellers. It not only commands universal toleration, but forbids disputes with those of another persuasion. If any one show a sincere inclination to be admitted among them, any five or more Seeks being assembled in any place, even on the highway, they send to the first shop where sweet- meats are sold, and procure a very small quantity of a particular kind called batāfā (Mr Wilkins does not tell us of what it is composed), which having diluted in pure water, they sprinkle some of it on the body and eyes of the profelyte, whilst one of the best instructed repeats to him a solemn promise to abide by them the rest of his life. They offered to admit Mr Wilkins into their society; but he declined the honour, contenting himself with their alphabet, which they told him to guard as the apple of his eye, as it was a sacred character. Mr Wilkins finds it but little different from the Devanagari. The language itself is a mixture of Persian, Arabic, and Shanferit, grafted upon the provincial dialect of Punjab, which is a kind of Hindooee, or, as we commonly call it, Moors.