114 The Hunting Grounds 



principal recreation and amusement both with high 

 and low. The European stranger who does not 

 understand the language, and is unacquainted with the 

 habits and customs of the country, may look upon a 

 nautch as a monotonous and unmeaning performance ; 

 but to one who can understand and appreciate the 

 beauties of Sadi and Hafiz, it has an inexplicable and 

 alluring charm, and many a live-long night 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 grey 

 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-girls 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, / 

 fancy (I am not a Benedict), prove a considerable 



