Urbana union. [volume] (Urbana, Ohio) 1862-1872, 1865-08-23

.865.
the pagodas-of which there are. several in
the yilIage-allowed to reside within its pre-
oincts. They are, however, encouraged to
become mothers; and, ike the Amazonian
oueen-who is said to have visited Alexau-
der the Great, in hopes Of thereby obtaining.
an heroic daughter-they are very particular
in selecting fathers, likely from their appear
ance to peFpetuate in their children the fair
complexion and classical features for which
they themselves are 50 justly celebrated. 1
was not able to ascertain how the male chill
dren are disposed Of hut believe they are
dedicated to the temples aud become priests
while the females-or perhaps only the liner
specimens, for all the children we saw were
strikingly handsome-are reared with the ut
most care to sustain the character Of this vii
[Iage ofITouris. Their origin Is iashrouded in
mystery but tradition says they are sprung
from an ancient sisterhood Of Portuguese
nuns. A strange origin enough, if the tale
be true. They never leave their native vii
lage-which they appear to think the most
delightful spot on earth-and have a super
stitious 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 a
messenger to announce our arrival We
were soon after waited upon by deputation
Of smiling nymphs, who in the most graceful
manner expressed their hanks for the honor
we had done them, and informed us they
were charged with message from the mat
ron of the village, requesting the pleasure Of
our company in the evening to witness a
onantch;7 and after throwing garland o.
| flowers round each Of our necks, they return
ed to the village.
twas much struck with the grace and beau
ty of these young creatures. They wert
nearly as fair as Europeans, with beautifully
regular features; and their deep blue melt
ing eyes, filed with long sill1en eyelashes
were perfectly bewitching. It was that pc
culiar eye-rare even in Europe, and un
known in any other part of India-Whicl
Byron so beautifully describes as
Tie Asiatic eye,
Dark as above US in the sky;
But through it steals tender light,
Like the first moonrise of midnight;
Large dark, and swimming in the stream
Which seems to melt.in its own beam
An love, half languor and half fire.
Their figures were more stately, and the
: limbs fuller and better rounded, than those
Indian females generally are; and their pc
Il enliar dress-a flowing robe confined roun
: the waist by silver zone, and loOped up 0
= one side so as to expose the leg to lttl
;, above the knee-closely resembled the draT
Il erv of an ancient Greek statue. The hal
simplv braided was entwined with wreath
. Iofiessanine, aud secured behind with gol
bodkin. And the general effect Of the
=, charms was not little heightened by the Ut
>. affected sweetness and simple modesty
! their demeanor. For, notwithstanding the
strange customs-shocking to our ideas
propriety, but considered perfectly proper b
= them-the poor things retain all the nallv
= modesty OF their sex, and are not by an
means neretricious in their behavior.
- In the cool Of the evening we proceede
- to the village, on the outskirts OF which "
were met by another deputation Of the ia
a inhabitants and conducted to the house oft
- head mstron.
-, The village is beautifully situated in gro
- Of orange, citron, and palm trees, throuI
H. which the soft sea-breeze comes laden wi
- perfume; beautiful saltwater logoC
Il, wooded to the edge, sweeps by in front Of
-, and in the background the deep blue mou
tains appear to form barrier between 1
en- enchanting spot and the remainder of
world.
w we were IGCelNGu W NllLl St@1 VI NiAAN'N-y
yes the matron, and all the beauties Of the '
Iace, in a large open apartment; where
in were sprinkled with rose-water, and rega
nd with Tea. We then seated ourselves rou
IRE the room to witness the performance Of 50
'nautch-rirls" belonging to the temple; a
lad deDarted at late hour, after distnbut
ur- some little presents, such as embvoidel
sinners, bangles, &c, among the iairest
saw onr entertainers, and taking sketch Of {
ted beautiful creature named Biaca.
IN AN ANTELOPE HUNT BY WOLVES.
r 7 was. as usual, scanning the horizon "
to nv telescope at daybreak, to see if any ga
was in sight. I had discovered small h
try Of anteIope feeding on field from whel
the the crop had been lately removed, and '
: to about to take the glass from my eye for
Alb rrrrose of reconoitering the ground; VIII
or a in a remote corner of the field, concea
an from the antelope by a-few intervening bu
the es, family discerned in the gray twiligh
wo- mack of six wolves, seated on their hind qr
TRY ters like dogs, and apparently in deep con
as tstion. Itappeared evident that, ike my
the they wanted venison, and had some des
.rn- upon the antelope; and, being curiou;
witness the mode of proceeding adopted
these four-legged poachers determined
watch their motions. IOccordingly dismOl
ed. leaving my horse in charge Of the SOW
We and creeping as near the scene Of action
the could without being discovered, coucel
" myself behind bush. Having apparel
rat decided Oh their plan Of attack, the wO
for separated; on remaining stationary, and
lex other FIVE creeping cautiously round the e
aste Of the field, Ike settlers drawing on