Des Moines courier. ([Ottumwa] Iowa) 1848-1854, 1851-02-07
TUE KIiNDCO AT HOME.
BY F. DE w. WARD.


of the Hindoo house, though not as
much as with US. will select, for il
lustralion, the home Of nstive belong
ing TO the medium rank of society. His
house is made Of mud. hardened by the
solar heat, or Of unburnt brick, about
thirty feet square, one story in height,
covered with tiles placed upon rafters of
r barnboos or palmyra trees, split to the
necessary size. Along the entire front
Of the building is verantlah about four
feet deep, sheltered by the projecting
roof; while in the wall are triangular in
dentations where lamps are placed when
the street or building is to be illumina-
ted. Entering the low door, which oc-
cupes central position. we see on Ell.
ther side a small verandah or alcove, for
med of baked clay; where the inmate
receives visitors, or waits ,he preparation
of the meal. Passing on, we remark
that the centre of the house-is an open
court-nnprntected from the sun and
rain by any roof--upon the sides of
which are rooms, small, and lighted by
grated windows, which serve little pur
pose but TO make darkness more visible.
One of these apartments is appropriated
10 the idol-fhe Ruman .Penates, and
the res. TO the various members OF the
household. The articles of furniture
are few siools--a low wooden beG-
stead--a loose-mat--aRda a box for cloth
ing, books, and b ornaments. In the
kitchen may be seen several earlhen ves-
sells (called in southern India chatiies)
some for cooking, and others ior holding
t,he food when made ready--a few small
brass drinking dishes--an earhern bar
rel 10 contain the unhulled rice, with a
stone mortar and heavy FOUNDER TO pre-
pare il far use--a brass pedestal 10 which
is attached a lamp of eastern style, and
sometimes table OF limited size and
hesht--all Of the most simple kind
Some of tie nabobs of Calcutta and
Madras, 'a la mode .3ngiais, keep large
pier glasses, chairs, couches, pictures,
and the like, but these pertain not 10 a
purely Hindoe dwelling, and often con-
irast most amusingly with surrounding
objects. One apartment III the house of
the rich Hindoo is appropriated to pur-
pose rather singular, aud which, If right
Is used, might be admired, though, as
employed by lhCm of unquestionahle
utility. Ii is called The room of anger,
or the angry. When wife is much
dlspIeased She runs to this room and
shuts herself up, there remaining ill her
husband GENES, to learn The cause of her
Gi:pleasure, and if possible remove il.
But her chagrin most frequently arises
from her not having The luxuries Of eat
ing, dress. and equipage, WHICH her more
favored neighbor enjoys, and, uniil that
ris provided for her, he must expect 10 be
debarred TIE society Of his amiAble
spouse. If i! were not for fearing 10
impule 10 the husbands Of our western
continent less pliancy than their uncivil-
>ized brethren of the Eas, manifest, the
writer woulGbe disposed 10 express a
fear, that many wives of America would
be allowed TO remainin their self impris-
onn,ent, with their demands ungratied,
until hunger md ihou2hfulness had ap-
peased ,Leir irritation. Rut This by the
way. s-s,
We have seen the Hindoo at the resi-
dence of foreigner, our eye has been
upon him when walking the street.
though not allowed TO enter his dwelling,
we may, through the eyes of others,
view him at home. The labors of the
day are over, and he has returned to par
take of the evening meal and enjoy a
nights repose. His wife during his alb
scence has been preparing his food
which, TO a large extent, consists of a
. dish familiarly called rice and curry,
and may be thus briefly Gescribed: In
an earihern vessel quantity of rice is
boiled, while in another, OF smaller di.
mensions, is cooked in ghee chick
een, fish. or piece of mutton, TO which
are added from two to four or five spoon
fnls Of a powder composed of these
among other ingredients: ginger, saffron,
cunmin, coriander, annis seed, red pep
per, tamarind, t,meric, garlic, made liq-
sMid in cocoanut milk, the amount o!
these ingredients depending upon the
palate and custom of the person. The
4 meal being prepared, small quantity is
placed before the idol 10 propita'e his
favor. The wife then puts upon the
r floo. Of an interior room a brass plate,
or what is more usual, a large leaf two
or more sewed together if one be not
Of sufficient size) upon which goodly
quantity Of The boiled rice is then piled,
and above it the before. named fragrant
and delicious curry. Having brough,
s dish for her lord TO lave his hands, he
takes his lowly seat for the enjoyment
of his repast. Then follows brief
prayer-which foreigners iIsinuate i,
wonld be well for Americans 10 follow
As there were wanting table, chair, plate,
or cloth, what need of knife, iork, OF
spoonl The Hindoo has what is far
more natural and convenient--his fin.
gers! With these upon bis right hand;
he mixes the ingredients oi his savory
dish, and rolling small quantity into a
ball, losses il dexterously into his mouth,
great care being taken least any portion
fall back into the plate, since that mis-
hapwould defle the remaining mass
The reason Of this extreme faslideous.