40 
MORLACCIil' 
variety of these capricious ornaments, sometimes a fancy not inelegant 
is displayed. Their holiday shifts are embroidered with red silk and 
sometimes with gold, which they work while they attend their flocks, 
and this is executed very nicely. Both old and young women wear 
about their necks large strings of round glass beads, of various sizes 
and colours ; and many rings of brass, tin, or silver, on their fingers. 
Their bracelets are of leather, covered with tin or silver; and they em- 
broider their stomachers, or adorn them with beads or shells. Al3road 
wooden girdle surrounds their petticoat, which is commonly decked with 
shells, and of blue colour, called modrina. Their gown, called sadah, as 
well as petticoat, is of a kind of serge, and both reach near the ankle. 
They use no modrina in summer, and only wear the sadah without 
sleeves, over a linen petticoat or shift. The girls always wear red 
stockings, and their shoes are, like those of the men, called opanke. 
The sole is of undressed ox-hide, and the upper part of sheep-skin 
thongs knotted, which they call apute. These they fasten about the 
ankles like the ancient cothurnus. Even the richest unmarried women 
are not allowed to wear any other shoes, though after marriage they 
may lay aside the opanke, and use the Turkish slippers. The girls 
keep their hair tressed under their caps, but when married they let 
it fall dishevelled on the breast, or tie it under the chin ; and always 
have medals, beads, or bored coins, in the Tartar or American mode, 
twisted amongst it. An unmarried woman who falls under the imputa- 
tion of want of chastity, runs the risk of having her red cap torn oflf 
her head publicly by the curate, and her hair cut by some relation, in 
token of infamy. Hence, those who fall into an illicit amour, com- 
monly lay aside the badge of virginity, and remove to some distance. 
Nothing is more common among the Morlacchi than marriages 
concluded by the old people of the respective families, when the young 
parties live at a great distance, and neither see nor know each other ; 
and the ordinary motive of these alliances is the ambition of being 
related to a numerous and powerful family, famous for having pro- 
duced valiant men. The father of the future bridegroom, or some 
other relation of mature age, goes to ask the young man, or rather 
a young woman, of such a family, not having commonly any determi- 
nate choice. Upon this, all the girls of the house are shewn to him, 
and he chooses which he likes best, though he generally respects the 
right of seniority. A denial in such case is very rare, nor does the 
father of the maid inquire much into the circumstances of the family 
that asks her. 
Sometimes a daughter of the master is given in marriage to the 
servant or tenant. On these occasions the Morlacchi girls enjoy a 
privilege which ours would wish to have, as injustice they certainly 
ought. For he who acts by proxy, having obtained his suit, is ob- 
liged to go and bring the bridegroom ; and if, on seeing each other, 
the young couple are content, the marriage is concluded, but not other- 
wise. In some parts it is the custom for the bride to go to^ see the 
house and family of the proposed husband, before she gives a defini- 
tive answer ; and if the place or persons are disagreeable to her, she 
is at liberty to cancel the contract. But if she is contented, she 
returns to her father’s house, escorted by the bridegroom and nearest 
