NAUTCH GIRLS. 
19 
the nautch girls manage with great grace and skill in 
their dances, one while peeping from beneath it with 
an arch expression of unequivocal meaning, at another 
exposing the whole countenance, beaming with a ra- 
diance that only makes the beholder regret so much 
beauty should be allied to so much depravity. The 
eye is usually lit up with earnest animation, every 
feature being refulgent with expression, that, but 
for the revolting leaven of sensuality which appears 
to give it life, would be entrancing to gaze and to 
dwell upon. 
Nothing can exceed the transcendent beauty, both 
in form and lineament, of these degraded women, 
whose lives are as abandoned as their persons are fre- 
quently enchanting. Although generally accompanied 
by the most debauched of their sex, they are neverthe- 
less continually engaged at large entertainments, even 
by Europeans, for the purpose of amusing their wives 
and daughters, as well as the wives and daughters 
of their guests. It must be confessed, however, that 
when they are admitted into houses to perform before 
persons of character, they never in the slightest degree 
offend against propriety ; upon these especial occasions, 
nothing can be more modest than their dress and de- 
meanour, while the gentle grace of their movements 
and attitudes is often unrivalled. Their dances, ge- 
nerally speaking, are much more decent than those 
encouraged in the theatres of Europe, which young 
and innocent girls are permitted to behold and applaud 
without a blush ; and which, I must confess, with 
some rare exceptions, are to my judgment far more re- 
markable for their indecency than for their elegance. 
