The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1838-10-24
THE MADISONIAN.
THE INDIAN BAYADERES.

pm. Seo,smber-The great novelty OF the week
is the arrival Of a band Of real bsyaderes brought 70
this comfy from India, by NJ. lafdSei mere y no,
The sphest doubt that these are
;u,oytations and that deceit intended IL Is
sad Thai The utmost difficulty experienced in OBJ
tanning the permission of their superior to their visiting
Europe A law suit. in which she had engaged at
Pondchery and which there was every prospect Of her
Ioosng decided her to consent and to accompany them
herself You will have by the papers that this old
woman Is na,ned File and that she is exceedingly par
ticular ia al that relates TO their comfort and morals
just as the vessel about SAIL the Brahmins
in crowds to Judge for themselves il the sccommoda
zion was such as they could approve Of.
One Of these girls (AmaIy) had been beloved for
time by young Brahmin. He had not, it APP
pears made much impression on her heart, she look
cd coldy on when no rushed forward and threw himself
at her feet mplorag her not TO leave him. He could
not be torn from her presence his aud aments-
ton were sufficient TO excite emotion in whole troop
Of dancing girls. AInany remained severe and inaex-
bic; and at last order to put end TO the scene the
order was given 10 weigh anchor The unhappy Brah-
min hestated for some time, and the general opinion
was that the same vessel would bring Europe troop
Of Bayaderes and priest Of the psgoda but last he
turned towards the dome Of the temple and nurmured
forth fragment Of sacred song he gave parting
glance at his hard hearted mistress and plunged into
the In short time he reached the shore by swim
ming, and the passengers could him standing in his
white drapey like STATUE, until distance commingled
together all objects.
During the voyage, the INDUCED in the great
est merrment while the remained apart, silent
and sad. When heavy weather arose, they chauned
together, sitting 10 circle, melancholy air, which al
SO accompanies the sacred dances Nothing could be
more singular than this plantve chaun broken by the
storm--sometimes lost altogether and sometimes COM
ing the ear like weakened echo For some days
after their arrival at Bordeaux, they lived milk and
fruit. They only use vessels without crack spot;
they Afterwards prepared fish in their country fashion,
of which they eat with great moderation. yesterday
had the good fortune to meet with young physician Of
Bordeaux, who was present when these Children of the
Air appeared at private house for the first time in
Europe Only few persons were present Their
curiosity excited to the highest pitch when noise
ofiittle bells was heard in the outside The door
opened, and five women OF bright copper color, ad
vanced, with regular STEP gracefully covered with
thin robe OF white muslin, which scarcely covered the
bosom and shoulders The FIVE heads bent down
simultaneously the floor and they made salam with
both hands Behind the dancers three men, erect
and calm. One of them was old he was distinguish
ed by three white lines the forehead and arm and his
business to play the cymbals. The other two were
young ono OF them carried long cylindrical drum
which he struck with the extremity Of his fingers the
other played sort OF pipe, sounding something like
obone. The FIVE Bayaderes renamed for sometime
immoveable in the middle of the room, as if to allow
the company to inspect them fully. Their costume was
brilliant and originals golden girdle tightly round
their waist and helped sustain striped pan,aloon of
Indian muslin. Their white robe was rolled round
their bust allowing, through its folds their dark skin to
appear, shining like silk They poised themselves on
the very extremity Of their feet, bending together vo-
luptuously like FIVE young cedars moved by the same
breeze. They all wore the summit of the head a
gilt skucap of curved lines on which was engraved
serpent with seven heads. Round their arms were
India bracelets of curious shape golden rings were
suspended from their nostrls their lips and their ears
Their dark hair, black and rough was plated on the
top Of the head and fell down behind in two long pats
band Of gold went round the forehead The expros-
sion Of their features very different Amany's
face was mild and gentle; she is tall and slight her
smile is beautiful her age may be about eighteen
Somdiroun, the contrary, mperions and bold her
eye is very singular ii is of burning black swimming
in vast blue enamel and absolutely darling fire she
is about fourteen years old OF the other three one is
like the last; another is girl Of six and the last
the old dancer, Fillo, the leader Of the troop
At last they moved and commenced the dance The
drum was struck the pipe uttered the sounds and the
cymbals were IN motion. A melancholy chant proceeds
from the lips Of the five dancers-a sacred poem one
OF the incarnatlons Of Vishnu They dart forward hy
degrees their countenances get animated the pupil Of
the eve rolls about, their thrown alo their
bodies bend with vigorous suppeness their hands meet
not vein, muscle, nerve which is not in action;
you would say that their bodies liquid and that the
wind upfts them, light and general is the movement
they advance retire. pass here and there and ntermn
gle their steps, the character of the dance is varied
grotesqne, amatory, hooking, and always coquetsh;
at one time they looked like Chinese figures in porcelain
at another like Fanny Eser dancing the Cachuca their
cymbals go more quickly-the player is in ecstaces
suddenly M. Iardvel gave a sign to stop, and low
saam concludes the dance. Amany afterwards alone
gave love dance, in which she represented all the
movements OF q courshp with wonderful effect. The
little thing also danced comic action which was
amusing enough.