INDIA N CUSTOMS, 215 



They ornament their persons in a variety of 

 ways, which, though considered by them as 

 adding to their charms and beauty, is at first 

 viewed by Europeans with disgust; and notwith- 

 standing that a residence for some time amongst 

 them may somewhat reconcile such unbecoming 

 decorations, few ever give themselves the trouble 

 to think much on the subject, or trace them to 

 their first principle, physical utility, from which, 

 I conceive, they for the most part originated. I 

 will now enumerate a few, which I think will be 

 sufficient to elucidate my observations ; and, al- 

 though I do not approve of all their customs, 

 many of them I can account for very differently 

 from the generally received opinion, and can ex- 

 cuse them for adopting them. The few I shall 

 notice, I think, will clearly show that we ought not 

 to condemn them all hastily; for we should 

 recollect that length of time and experience have 

 established them. 



I shall begin with observing the custom which 

 females have of colouring the palms of their hands, 

 soles of their feet, and nails, red; which they 

 do by pounding the leaves of mindy, or hinnah, 

 (a species of myrtle,) mixing it with lime, and 

 applying it to those parts, where it remains some 

 hours. This is considered an ornament ; but I 



