The Shasta courier., 1865-08-05
SHASTA COURIER.
A Mohammedan Paradise on Earth.

Durinp the time we remained at Goa, we
made an excursion along the coast to the
neighboring village Of Seroda inhabited by
n remarkable race of women, who are cele-
brated throughout the Western part Of
India for their great beauty and unusually
fair complexion. They are HiEdoos Of the
Conkany caste, but differ in many respects
from any other tribe They are not allowed
to marry, nor any men, except the priests
belonging to the pagodas-of which there
are several in the yillage-allowed to reside
within its precincts. They are, however,
encouraged to become mothers; and, like the
Amazonian uueen-who is said to have
visited Alexander the Great, IN hopes OF
thereby obtaining an heroic daughter
they are very particular in selecting fathers,
likely from their appearance to perpetuate
in their children the fair complexion and
cIassics4 features for which they are so
Justly celebrated. ! was not able to ascer
tain how the male children are disposed Of,
but believe they are dedicated to the tenn
pies and become priests while the females
or perhaps only the finer specimens, for all
the children we saw are strikingly hand
some-are reared with the utmost care to
sustain the character Of this village OF Hou
ris. Their origin is shrouded in mystery !;
but tradition says they are sprung from an
ancient sistsrhood Of Portuguese nuns. A
strange origin enough, if the tale be true
They never leave their native village
which they appear to think the most delight
ful spot on earth-and have a superstitious
belief that if they were to ascend above the
Ghauts they would Immediately die.
On landing near the village, we pitched
our tent on the beach, and, in accordance
with the etiquette of the place, we dispatched
e messenge" to announce our arrival We
were soon after waited upon by a deputation
Of smiling nvmphs, who in the most graceful
manner expressed their thanks for the honor
We had done them, and informed us they
were charged with a message from the
matron of the village, requesting the pleas
ure of our company in the evening to witness
a . nantch !" and after throwing a garland
of flowers round each of our necks they re
turned to the village | was much struck
with the grace and beauty Of those young
creatures. They were nearly as fair as
Europeans, with beautiful regular features ;
and their deep blue melting eyes, edged
with long slken eye lashes, were perfectly
bewitching Their figures were more state
" and their limbs fuller and better rounded
than those of Indian females generally are !;
and their peculiar dress-a flowing robe
confined round the waist by simple zone
and looped up on one side so as to expose
the leg to IA little above the knee closely
resembled the drapery of an ancient Greek
statue Their hair, simply braided, was
entwined with wreaths of iessamine. and Sc
cured behind with gold bodkin. And the
general effect of their charms was not Il little
heightened by the unaffected sweetness and
simple modesty Of their demeanor. For,
notwithstanding their strange customs
shocking to our ideas of propriety, but con-
sidered perfectly proper by them-the poor
things retain all the native modesty of their
sex. and are not by any means merctricious
III their behavior.
In the cool of the evening we proceeded to
the village, on the outskirts Of which we
were met by another deputation of the fair
inhabitants, and conducted to the house Of
the head matron. The village..is beautifully
situated in grove of orange, citron. and
palm trees. through which TIE soft sea breeze
come laden with perfume; beautiful salt
water lagoon, wooded to the edge, lies in
front of it: and in the background the deep
blue mountains appear to form "a barrier
between this enchanting spot ana the re.
mainder of the world We were received
with great ceremony by the matron, and
all the beauties of the village, in a
large open apartment. where we were
sprinkled with rose water. and RECALLED with
tea. We then seated ourselves round the
room to witness the performance of some
"nautch girls" belonging to the temple,
and departed at a late hour, after distributing
some little presents, such as embroidered
slippers, bangles, etc, among the tairest Of
our entertainers.-T Troreis IN India