BOORHANPOOR. 
137 
in humble homes, mere sheds compared with those 
here spoken of. The bazaars are, perhaps, the most 
entertaining resort for the visitor, in all Oriental 
cities ; but in Boorhanpoor they are especially so, 
as much on account of the intelligence and civility 
of the merchants, as by reason of the brilliant articles 
exposed for sale, and the handsome but peculiar style 
of the buildings. 
Here, these public places of business are certainly 
as full of noise and bustle as are all other similar 
places in India ; that is to say, they are as full of 
noise and bustle as the very essence of noise and 
bustle can possibly render them. Hither, in the cool 
of the evening, the merchants of all tribes, of all 
degrees, and of every trade, throng, for the purposes 
of traffic ; and hither, likewise, resort the idlers and 
the gossips, no less in number than the men of 
business. The more substantial traders occupy 
small shops, or warehouses, in front of which is a 
narrow open veranda, where the proprietor is seated, 
or reclines upon a mat with a comfortable cushion, 
and is usually to be seen smoking his hookka or 
kullidn. Between each lengthened whiff he engages 
in earnest treaty with a brother merchant ; making 
his salaams to all his acquaintance as they pass ; at 
times, he gives directions to his slave within the shop ; 
listens to his book-keeper, who reads over the account 
of his day’s barter ; or, perchance, if he be a devout 
disciple of the Prophet, with spectacles stuck on the 
n 2 
