254 DRESS OF THE PRINCESSES. 



extremely inconvenient at meals, as furnishing 

 occupation for one hand, in holding the ring up 

 from the mouth to allow their food to enter. 



Women in Sindh, as in India, are very partial 

 to bracelets, and those of the higher classes in 

 Sindh generally have them of ivory, but it is a 

 notorious fact that no elephant ever produced a 

 tusk capable of forming a bracelet for the Meer's 

 second wife, who in consequence has them made 

 of silver. 



My informant states that the dress of the 

 princesses is precisely similar to that of the 

 common people, but of finer and richer mate- 

 rials. It consists of a loose pyran, or chemise, 

 of fine muslin, edged round the neck with nar- 

 row lace. Sootane, or trowsers of enormous 

 width, made of a very rich description of silk, 

 or silk and cotton. A dooputta* of the finest 

 muslin completes the dress, and in the cold 

 season shawls from Cashmere and Mooltan are 

 worn. When the ladies have finished their 

 toilettes, a short time before sunset, they ge- 

 nerally go out to visit their relations, or receive 

 them at home. In the former case they closely 

 veil their charms, and are carried in muJiauffas, 



* A scarf of fine musliu. 



