LXX 



WHILE the Hindoo cannot be classed among the riders 

 of the world, it would seem that at least once in the 

 course of his life he is bound to make his appearance on 

 horseback. It is commonly said at home that no man 

 fails to get at least one carriage ride while above-ground, 

 though it may be on the day of his funeral ; and similarly 

 the Hindoo, in many localities, on his marriage day always 

 appears on horseback. The bride leads the procession in 

 a palanquin. Unlike our brides, she is by far less an object 

 of curiosity than the groom ; nor is she dressed so beauti- 

 fully or borne in such magnificence. It is a rare circus 

 that can turn out so gorgeously caparisoned a beast as the 

 horse that bears the groom. His head is crowned with a 

 tossing plume ; his face and neck are covered with gold 

 brocade from which hang innumerable bright-hued tassels; 

 he wears a wide pad - like saddle, over which is thrown 

 a gold-brocade blanket which hides his entire rump, and 

 hangs down to his hocks ; and from the sides of it depend 

 huge clusters of gay tassels as big as cauliflowers. On 

 this gaudy creature sits the happy groom, usually a lad 

 under twelve, clad in equally stunning garb, and with his 

 face hidden by a veil of gold fringe ; for, though the 

 bride on this day may show her face, so may not he. His 

 horse is led by two men ; while others fan him, still others 

 hold long-handled sunshades over his precious head, and 

 many attendants surround him. When the contracting 

 parties are rich, all this magnificence is real. The kincob, 



