The Portland daily press., 1881-01-06
Calcutta Society.
How English and Americans in India Kill
. Time. .....I I
lCalifornian.l

r lCalfornian llIeTa Ht-
p In my friends wife and grown daughters
had an opportunity of judging for myself in
regard to what had often heard and read of
East Indian ladies and European ladies who
had gone to reside in the Orient. A compara-
lively brief residence there renders the fresh
est and rosest complexion colorless or waxen-
hued. The ruddiest face cannot long resist
the climate, and does not regain its color on
return to England. In India the blood ap-
pears to be thinned, and never to be restored
to its normal condition. For the reasons
stated was informed, and, indeed, 1 saw for
myself, that nearly all the society ladies in Cal
cutta painted They have to do so or be con-
tent to look as pale as ghosts. .4 .sG f ir
4. Society in Calcutta is very convivial, and
much hospitality prevails among the few
white Inhabitants. The governor general and
his wife of course lead society there, and an
Introduction to them, and an attendance at the
viceroy's leyees, are indispensable as passports
over the thresholds of the ton. But lauda-3
BILE common sense prevails in the matter of
dress or costume. In such climate it would
be extremely uncomfortable to wear dress
suit of broadcloth at a party Gentleme,b
therefore, who dine, say with the vicer.,y. an
pear in the reception room in full evening
dress, but before entering the bs.noust han
they repair to an adjacent apartment and
change their heavy claw hammer or swallow
tail dress-coat for white linen Jacket, 50 that
the guests present a.n appearance not unlike
tnat OF the WATERS in some of our restaurants
This arrangement may not be strikingly pic
5I1Mresque, pEt itiis sensible and comfortable.
". ndaraA -
during his Indian tour complained bitterly of
tne martyrdom which they endured by hav-r
ing constantly to appear in his presence in full
regimental uniform While he himself
dressed as lightly as possible, as was beitting
his staff.
Hotel life in Calcutta is yery pleasant al
though it Is shared in almost Extensively by
tne sterner sex, except in the caseof 'stran-
sients. The guests consist largely of British
army officers on leave, and their society is very
agreeable and instructive to newcomers.
Whatever faults Americans may have to find
with English officers, one thing is certain,
namely, that the curriculum through which
they are examined, insures their being schol-
ars, and with very few exceptions they are
gentlemen. Hence, there are no more pleas
ant parties than their mess dinners. The Off
GERS OF English regiments in India received
6oth British and Indian pay, and most of them
having also private means OF their own were
thus enabled to live in good style. Indeed, in
the three great cities of British India-Calcut-
ta Madras and Bombay-the society of mill
tary officers, their wives and families, may be
said to be the best. At the table d hote of the y
hotels there is little restraint, aud the guests
speak to one another as they would at a pri-
vate table. Late arrivals do not at first take
kindly to Indian curries; they would appear to
be an acquired taste. They are no more like
so-called curries made in Europe and America
than coffee is like champagne. After short
residence in India, foreigners acquire great .
relish for curries, and would not consider the
breakfast or the dinner table complete without
one. 1t is singular, but true, that the best
French cooks in vain essay to make curry as
it is made in India. Not even royalty itself, in
Europe, with all that it pays for its cuisine,
can command one of these dishes as it is pre-
pared and served in Calcutta, unless it is made
by an imported Hindoo cook. This was dis
covered by the Prince of Wales during his In
dian tour, and hence he took to Europe with
him two native cooks expressly to make cur
ries. 1t is not only that they are much hotter
than those dishes made in the temperate zones,
but there is deep mystery in the compound
ing or mixing of the multifarious ingredients.
have ever found that the warmer the coun-
tries which visited, the hotter were the con-
diments and spices used in cookery. There is
true philosophy in this: In warm weather a
person perspires far less after warm than
cold drink '.H. -I.lfs r