110 The Hunting Grounds 



tendants, who were seated in rows, on mats placed on 

 the ground, was stretched a large carpet, round which 

 several huge brass candelabra were placed. Overhead 

 a large red and white chamiana was stretched, shelter- 

 ing 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- 



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

 worn round the ancles when dancing. 



