The Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1822-1829, 1822-09-24
BAGIlAI,.

1he following view of society in Bngdad
Is inken from Sir II. X, porifrs Travels in
Georgm, Persia, Babylonih, ar.
The wives Of the higher classcs in Bag
dad, are usually selected from the most
beautiful girls that can be obtained from
Georgia and Circnssia and, 10 their main.
raj chafm2, IN like manner with their cap
i've sisters all over the East, they add the
l1nrled embellishments Of painted COM
E!cNens, hands and feet dyed with henna,
and their hair and cye-brows stained with
rans Or prepared indigo leaf. Chains Of
Goid, anil collars of pearls, with various or
namehts OF precious stones, decorate the
upper part Of their persons, while solid
bracelets Of gold, in shapes resembling
serpenla, clasp their wrists and anclcs.
Silter and golden ISSUED mu8lins, not only
! FORM their tnFaans, bat frequently their I'M
der garments. In summer, the ample
prllsse IS made of the most costly shawl,
aud III cold weather, lined and bodered
with the choicest furs. The dress is alto
gc'her very becoming; by its easy folds,
ana gliiierlng transparency, showing fine
shape 10 advantage, without The irnodegt
expo surc of the open test Of the Persian
ladies'. The humber females generally
move abroad with faces totally unveiled.
having haadkerchicf rolled round their
heads, from beneath which their hair hnngs
down over their shoulders, while another
piece Of linen passes under their chin, in
tie fashion Of thc Georenns. Their gar-
mcnt Is gown of shin form, reaching TO
the'r aneles, open before, and OF a grey CO.
| lour. Their feet are completely naked
Many fthe very inferior classes stain their
bosoms with the Ggnre3 Of circles, hall
moons, stars &c. in "A blush stamp. In this
barbafic enlbclishment, the poor damsel
Of Irak Arab has one point Of vanity re.
ormbling that Of the ladies' Of Irak Aien.
The former frequently adds this fig tllll
| cadaYerous hue to her lips and to eom.
| p!ete her savage appearance, lh,usts ring
through the tight nostrl, pendent with a
nat button-lihe ornament set round with
blue or red stones.
But to return to the lades OF higher cir.
cles, whom we left in some gay saloon OF
}agdad. When all are assembled, the eye
MA, meal, or dinner, il soon served. The
party seated in rows, then prepare them
selves Tor the entrance Of the show which
consisting Of music and dancing, continues
innois5 exhibition through the whole night.
Al u O'Clock, supper is produced; when
plans, kabobs, preserves, fruit, dried
| sweetmcats, aud sEerberts of every fabric
and favour, engage the fair conUires for
some time. Between this second banquet
and The preceding, the perfumed narquilly
Is never absent from their rosy lips excep-
ting when they sip their coffee, or indulge
IN general shout Of appreciation, or har-
| ty peal OF laughter at the freaks on the
danceis, or the subject of the singers ma
drlSa5. But no respite is given TO the en-
tertainers and during SO long stretch o
merrllnent should any of the happy guest.
feel sudden desire for temporary rcpose
without the least apology, she lies down to
| sleep on the luxurious carpet that is hei
seat and thus she remains, sunk in as deer
an oblivion as if the nummud were 5preae
n her own chamber. Others speedily fol
.ow her example, sleeping as sound /; not
understanding The bawlGs Of tie singers, Tia.
horrid juggling Of the spitars, the tpqnp-