1 04 THE HUNTING GROUNDS 



ou mats placed on the ground, was stretched a large 

 carpet, round which several huge brass candelabra 

 were placed. Overhead a large red and white 

 chaniiana was stretched, sheltering the spectators 

 from any dew that might fall ; and in the rear was 

 placed an open tent, containing the musicians, who 

 were about twenty in number. 



The instruments consisted of sarindas, (a kind of 

 guitar,) clarionets, several queer-shaped fiddles, 

 cholera horns, (trumpets about five feet long, shaped 

 like an S,) hautboys, tomtoms, dubties, dolkies, and 

 drums of every size and shape ; besides small bells, 

 which were used as castanets. 



Large brass and wooden trays piled with betel-nut, 

 pawn-leaves, mangoes, oranges, figs, plantains, limes, 

 grapes, melons, pomegranates, custard-apples, and 

 every kind of fruit of the country, were scattered all 

 round, besides cakes and sweetmeats, which were 

 served up ad lib. to the spectators. 



As we entered the music struck up, and the whole 

 company rose and saluted us, remaining standing 

 until we were seated, and the begum's black aide- 

 de-camp paid us many compliments on the part of 

 his mistress. 



The tinkling of the bangles and gungroos * was 

 now heard, and about forty handsomely -dressed 

 dancing-girls entered the circle, and salaamed grace- 

 fully to the company. Half-a-dozen of the young- 



• Feet-ornaments, and strings of small bells of various tones, 

 woiQ ruuud the ankles when dancing. 



