IN THE LAND OP THE BOKA. 23 



novelty of the thing; but I shall, I think, never 

 forget how I roared with laughter at the sight of 



E cooking our first Sunday dinner under the 



admiring gaze of about seventy-five men, women, 

 and children. 



For the rest, we found the islanders kindly, 

 honest, and simple. Their dress is peculiar, run- 

 ning as it does to waistcoat at the expense of 

 the coat. The waistcoat is the garment ; it is 

 made of brightly coloured cloth, and often hand- 

 somely braided. Besides the ordinary or useful 

 buttons, it always, unless the owner happens to 

 be financially in a bad way, boasts a double row 

 of large silver ones on long stems, which are 

 frequently made of old coins. The women wear 

 no stockings, but leggings of blue cloth, wrapped 

 round and round, descend to the ankle, somewhat 

 after the fashion of Indian putties. They cover 

 the head only with a kerchief, but the men wear 

 a red flat cap of fez-cloth. My wife tells me 

 the women's dress in Dalmatia is rarely tasteful, 

 though neater in Pasman than in most parts of 

 the province, except in the mountains. In Spala- 

 tro one sometimes sees curious and handsome 

 costumes. The Pasman women wear a blue bodice 

 and skirt. The former is cut square in front to 

 show the white chemise, whose full sleeves show 

 below the short ones of the upper garment. The 

 opening in front, the girdle, and the hem of the 



