of the Old World. 1 15 



obstruction towards their lover's advances ; for clasp- 

 ing one of those stiff, whalebone-sided damsels round 

 the waist must give one nearly the same sensations 

 as embracing a lamp-post or a milestone. 



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

 a richly-embroidered petticoat, is gathered,. round the 

 waist, and seldom falls far below the knee, showing 

 the graceful swell of the leg and beautifully-turned 

 and slender ancles. 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 embroidered, 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 Madonna 

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

 hind, often falling to the ancles. 



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 



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