BUCKREED FESTIVAL. 175 



returned witli us from Bombay in charge of the 

 Meer's Englisli geese and fighting cocks. One 

 of the former had died on the way up the 

 Indus, and the little man, being fearful of pun- 

 ishment for want of care, on this occasion pre- 

 sented himself with the surviving gander 

 under his arm, holding an umbrella over his 

 head with one hand, and fanning it vigorously 

 with the other, in order to display his extreme 

 care of his English charge ; indeed, had it been 

 an English baby, in which his royal master 

 had a personal interest, he could not have 

 exhibited greater care of its health and com- 

 plexion. There were also several taefas, or 

 sets of dancing girls, who received presents, 

 varying in amount from ten to thirty rupees 

 each, according to their several status, beauty, 

 and professional qualifications. In short, all 

 appeared happy, all Avcre dressed in their best, 

 and Mahomedans and Hindoos seemed equally 

 bent on enjoyment. 



On the 10th of the month Zilhuz, which 

 precedes that of Mohurrum, is the Buckreed 

 festival, which is in commemoration of Abra- 

 ham's offering up of Isaac ; but the Mahomedans 

 believe it not to have been Isaac, but Ishmael, 



