The Portland daily press., 1865-06-01
Thursday Morning June J., 1895. !.
An Houri Village.

A traveller in India gives the following in
teresting account Of remarkable community
of women visited by him: z go 80 r.
During the time we remained in Goa, we
made an excursion along the coast TO the
neighboring village of Seroda, Inhabited by a
remarkable race Of women, who are celebrat-
ed throughout the western part OF India, for
their great beauty and unusually lair complex
ion. They are Aindoos ofthe Conkany caste,
but differ in many respects from any other
tribe. They are not allowed to marry, nor
I are any men, except the priests belonging to
the pagodas--of which there are several in
the village allowed TO reside within It's pre-
cints. They are, however, encouraged to be-
come mothers; and like the Amszonian queen
who is said to have visited Alexander the
Great, in hopes of thereby obtaining heroic
daughter-they are very particular in selecting
fathers, likely from their appearance to per-
petuate in their children the fair complexion
and classical featurers for which they are so
justly celebrated. / was not able to ascertain
how the male children are disposed Of but
9 believe they are dedicated to the temples and
become priests, while the temales-or perhaps
only the finer specimens, for all the children,
wesaw were strikingiy handsome--are reared
with the utmost care to sustain the character
OF this village Of Hours. Their origin is
shrouded In mys terry but tradition says they
sprung from an acient sisterhood OF P0r-
tnguese nuns. a. strange origin enough, ii
the tale be true. They never leave their ma
tive village-Which they appear to think the
most delightful spot ON searuh--and have a SUI
perstitiQus belief that il they were to ascend
above the Ghauts they would immediately die.
On landing near the village, we pitched our
tent on the beach, aud, in accordance with the
etiquette of the place, we dispatched messen-
ger to announce our arrival. We were soon
after waited upon by a deputation of smiling
nymphs, who in the most graceful manner ex-
pressed their thanks for the honor we had done
them, and informed us they were charged with
a message from the matron OF the village, re-
questing the pleasure of fsour company in the
evening to witness a anautch;" I" and after
throwing garland Of flowers round each of
our necks theyreturned to the village. ~
was much struck with the grace and beau
ty OF those young creatures They were near
ly as fair as Europeans, with beautifully regu-
lar features; and their deep blue melting eyes,
filled with long silken eyelashes, were perfect
ly bewitching. = ssa s s3.sssl nfa aslsY K
4 Their figures were more stately. and their
limbs fuller and better rounded than those OF
Indian females generally are !; and their peeu-
Z liar dress-a flowing robe confined round the
waist by simple zone, and looped up on one
side so as to expose the leg to little above
the knee-elosely resemb!ed the drapery OF an
ancient Greek statue. Their hair, simply
braided, was entwined with wreaths of jessa-
mine, and secured behind with 4 gold bodkin.
Aud the general effect of their charms was
not a little heightenedb by the unafectedsweet-
ness and simple modesty OF their demeanor.
For, Notwithstanding their strange customs
4, shocking to our ideas OF propriety but consid-
y cred perfectly proper by thenl--the poor things
retain all the native modesty OF their sex, and
are not by any means tneretricious in their be-
hayior. ss,s aof IL = ssis ~ ~
4 4 In the cool of the evening we proceeded to
heviiage, on lhe outskirts Of which we were
met by another deputation Of the fair inhabit-
ants, and conducted to the house OF the head
matfOn,1ett ss4ia ~ ea f1afg ari 4a~a
s The villageis beautifully situated in grove
which the soIt Sea BBf eRalm trees, through
perfume; beautiful salt water lagoon, wood
ed to the edge, sweeps by in front OF IL; and
In the background the deep blue mountains
~ appear to form q barrier between this en-.
chantingsp spot and the remainder Of the world
We were received with great ceremony by
) the matron, and all the beauties of the village
in q large open apartment, where we Were
sprinkled with rose water and regaled with
+ tea. We then seated ourselves around the
room to witness the performance OF some
2 'snautch girls" belonging TO the temple; aud
departed at late hour, alter distributing
some little presents, such as embroideries, slip
- pers, DC, among the tairest OF our entertain
- q