OF THE OLD WORLD, 109 



ing the graceful swell of the leg and beautifully- 

 turned and slender ankles. Oh ! ye fair maidens of 

 the North, with what envy would you behold the 

 delicate forms of the daughters of " the Faithful," 

 whose full-flowing garments are confined round 

 their naturally taper waists by a silver or gold zone, 

 of less than eighteen inches in circumference. The 

 " kurtnee," a vest of the finest and most transparent 

 muslin, without sleeves, with the edges richly em- 

 broidered, is worn over the "choice," reaching to 

 the waist. Over all is the " sarree," a bright gauze 

 scarf, often of gold or silver thread, which is passed 

 round the waist, having one end thrown gracefully 

 over the shoulder. 



The hair, which is almost always very long and 

 silky, and of raven black, is worn in the INfadonna 

 fashion in front, but gathered up in long plaits be- 

 hind, often falling to the ankles. 



The edge of the hair from the centre of the fore- 

 head to the back of the head is often adorned with 

 a fringe of seed-pearls, or small gold chains, which 

 hangs parallel to the arch of the eyebrows, and has 

 a beautiful effect on their clear skin. This ornament 

 is also worn to this day by the Jewish women ot 

 Constantinople and Syria, and many of their other 

 jewels are of great antiquity, and resemble those de- 

 scribed by the prophet Isaiah as having belonged 

 to the daughters of Zion ; more particularly " the 

 tinkling ornaments about their feet, and the round 

 tires like the moon, the nose jewels " — which latter 



