144 DANCE OF EUNUCHS. 



sembled a number of guests, relatives, and friends 

 of the two princes, who invited me to take a seat 

 on their charpoy, in front of which a long Per- 

 sian carpet was spread, on either side whereof 

 the guests were squatted, leaving the centre clear 

 for the dancers. A taefa^ or set, tlien came for- 

 ward, but the exhibition was indijfferent, and 

 the performers far from good-looking. A second 

 set followed suit, and they were very superior 

 to the first. After the nautches had finished, 

 I heard a great deal of laughter, and Meer Shah 

 Nowaz, pointing outside, requested me to look 

 at the bevy of beauties there. These were a 

 party of eunuchs dressed as women, and more 

 disgusting-iooking bipeds I never beheld. The 

 princes and their guests being by that time 

 quite ready for breakfast, orders were given 

 to bring it ; and a very excellent breakfast we 

 had, consisting of all kinds of Jcawahs of black 

 partridge, teal, and wild duck, florilien and 

 steaks of the para, with a variety of fish and 

 some very excellent pillaos, both sweet and 

 savoury. As my knife, fork, and spoon al- 

 ways accompanied the toilet appliances in my 

 carpet-bag, I made a very comfortable meal, 

 after which every one retired to take a siesta. 



