East Saginaw courier. (East Saginaw, Mich.) 1859-18??, 1865-06-28
A NORTHUMBERLAND paradIse.

N &NoA e<tAoCs
During the time we remained at
Goa we made an excursion along the
coast to the neighboring village Of
Serada, inhabited by a remarkable
race of women, who are celebrated
Throughout tho western parts of India
for tlIeiry great. beauty and unusually
fair complexion. They are Hindoos
of tho Conkany caste, but differ in
many respects from any other tribe.
They are not allowed TO marry, nor
are any men, except the priests belong
ingeta the pagodas--of which there
arAsoseral in tho viuage--auowed to
reside within its precincts. They are,
however, encouraged to become moth
ers ;Iand, like the Amazonian queen
who is said to have visited Aloxan-
der the Great, in hopes of thereby OBJ
tanning an heroic daughter--they are
very particular in selecting fathers
likely from their appearance to per-
petuate in thoir children the fair COM
plexion and classical features for
which they are so justly celebrated.
I,was not able. to ascertain how the
male children are disposed of, but /
believe they are dedicated to the tenn
pies and become priests; while the fe-
males-dr perhaps only the finer spec
linens, for all the children we saw
were strikingly handsome-are reered
with tho utmost care to sustain the
character of this village of Houris.-
Their origin is shrouded in mystery.
They never leave their native village
which they appear to think the
most delightful spot on earth-and
have 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 Dispatch
ed a messenger to announce our arri-
ynl, We were soon after waited upon
by 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 message from the
matrouyo of tho village, requesting the
pleasure Of our company in the eve
ming to witness q "nautch;" and, af-
ter throwing q garland Of flowers
round each Of our necks, they return
ed to tho village l was much struck
with the grace and beauty of these
young creatures. They were nearly
as fair as Europeans, with beautifully
regular features; and their deep blue
melting eyes, with their long silken
eye-lashes, were perfectly bewitching.
Their figures were more stately and
their limbs fuller. and better rounded,
than those Of Indian females general
ly are and their peculiar dress-a
flowing robe confined round the waist
by simple zone, and iooped up on
one side so as to expose the leg to a
little above the knee-closely resem-
bled the drapery of an ancient Greek
statue. Their hair, simply braided,
was entwined with wreaths of jessa-
mine, and secured behind with a gold
bodkin. And the general effect of
their charms was not q little heightened
by tho unaffected sweetness and sim
pie modesty of their demeanor. For,
notwithstanding their strange customs
shocking to our ideas Of propriety,
but considered perfectly proper by
them the poor things retain all the ma
tive modesty Of their sex, and are not
by any means meretricious in their be-
havior. 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 iiihi;a.5-
itants, and conducted to the house of
the head matron. The village is beau
tlfully situated in grove of orange,
citron, and palm trees, through which
the soft sea-breeze comes laden with
perfume; and beautiful salt water
lagoon, wooded to the edge, sweeps
by in front Of it; and in the back
ground the deep blue mountains APP
pear to form q barrier between this
enchanting spot and the remainder of
the world We were received with
great ceremony by the matron, and all
The beauties of the village, in large
open apartment, where we were sprin-
killed. 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 late
hour, after distributing some little
presents, such as embroidered slippers,
bangles, &c, among the fairest of our