350 



OBSERVATIONS ON SINGAPORE, EAST INDIES. 



ample sleeves, a colored embroidered vest, fitting tight to the 

 body, loose trowsers made of white cotton cloth, and yellow 

 or red slippers. To beautify themselves, they chew the betal- 

 nut, which causes their teeth to become as black as ebony. 

 They make good soldiers, or sepoys, and many of them are 

 employed to act in that capacity by the British East India 

 Government. The women, who are not so much exposed to 

 the rays of the sun, are less tawny than the men ; their coun- 

 tenance is comely, their hair black and fine ; they have a deli- 

 cate hand, brilliant eyes, and a graceful figure. 



There are many Parsees residing in Singapore, and some 

 of the best shops are kept by them ; they prefer trading in 

 English and French goods, which they have consigned to them, 

 or purchase at the auctions. Some of them have acquired 

 large fortunes, and live in a princely style. They are a hand- 

 some race, and there is an easy grace about all their move- 

 ments. The ladies pass their lives in great seclusion from 

 the world, for they are supposed to lose caste if they appear in 

 public. 



The Persic language is celebrated for its strength, beauty, 

 and melody, and they write it from the right to the left. 



The Parsees* do not tolerate polygamy, unless the first wife 

 prove barren, nor do their laws allow concubinage. They 

 cannot eat or drink out of the same vessel with one of a dif- 

 ferent religion, nor are they fond even of using the cup of 

 another, for fear of partaking of his sins. Their religion, 

 however, admits of proselytism. They have no fasts, and re- 

 ject everything of the nature of penance. God, they say, 

 delights in the happiness of his creatures ; and they hold it 

 meritorious to enjoy the best of everything they can obtain. 



* The Hindoos say the Persees are outcasts of Persia ; but this they indignantly 

 deny, though it is supposed many of them were driven out in the eighth century. 



