108 THE HUNTING GKOUNDS 



inexplicable and alluring charm, and many a live- 

 long niglit have I passed most delightfully, whilst 

 my regiment was quartered in the Nizam's dominions, 

 in the kiosk (or garden house) of one of my native 

 friends — an Emir of Hydrabad, where, lulled by the 

 sounds of gurgling waters and flowing fountains, 

 which cooled the air, deliciously impregnated with 

 the fragrance of groves of roses and jessamines, I 

 have remained until gray dawn broke, listening 

 with rapture to the flowery language of the Persian 

 poets, and gazing on the elf-like forms that flitted 

 before me. 



The ordinary costume of the Moosulmaunee danc- 

 ing-giiis consists of a "choice" or boddice, fitting 

 tight to the form, and cut low in front down the 

 breast, with short sleeves. It is generally made of 

 bright- coloured silk, richly embroidered with gold, 

 and is supposed to answer the purpose of stays, 

 corsets, and all such abominable gear with which 

 European damsels are in the habit of distorting their 

 form into what they call shape, and which must, 

 I fancy, (I am not a Benedict,) prove a consider- 

 able obstruction towards their lover's advances ; 

 for clasping one of those stiff, whalebone-sided 

 damsels round the waist must give one nearly the 

 same sensations as embracing a lamp-post or a mile- 

 stone. 



The " loonga," similar to the Persian " peshuajh," 

 a richly-embroidered petticoat, is gathered round 

 the waist, and seldom falls far below the knee, show- 



