COSTUMES AT DELHI. 67 



a large enclosure occupied by the tall, and not over- 

 clean, denizens of the hilly region beyond the Kyber 

 Pass ; also by their beasts of burden lying about 

 amongst heaps of sheepskins and other unsavoury 

 merchandise, and numbers of camels, horses, and cattle, 

 brought here for sale. In the bazaars of Delhi the 

 jewellers are said to drive the best trade, and I can 

 well understand it, having visited the prmcipal dealers 

 in precious stones. Here is a rich store to feed our 

 eyes upon — rubies, emeralds, turquoises, cats-eyes, and 

 many others ; the first two were especially beautiful, 

 and many Europeans resort to the shops to match a 

 certain stone. 



The principal thoroughfares are always crowded with 

 natives, who flock to it from all parts of India, and 

 nowhere else does one see a greater variety of costume. 

 That of a Cashmere swell will give an idea of its 

 luxury. As I was walking along, this individual, 

 bursting with pride and vanity, strutted in front of 

 me, accompanied by three followers. The former was 

 got up in tight lavender-coloured silk trousers, an amber 

 coat with gold-embroidered collar, blue Cashmere 

 shawl thrown loosely over his shoulders, and an enor- 

 mous turban composed of a green shaw^l, shoes em- 

 broidered in gold and silver completing the attire. 

 His underlings were dressed equally fantastically in 



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