St. Paul daily globe., 1888-05-13

on the floor. We both tried, but the
civilized Improvements in dresses were
not conducive with sitting down with
dignity or ease.
However, we squatted as best we
could and reclined OH the cushions.
Pan suparee (nut and betel leaves)
were brought in on Salver, and we
had to take little for courtesy. Then
servant woman, very old and very
hldeous, sprinkled rose water on us and
presented us with silk handkerchief
each. The woman we addressed first,
whom we afterwards heard was one of
the principal wives of the niZam,
ordered in some musicians. About
half dozen women entered,
bearing guitars, lutes, caStanets
and kind of tambourine. One
started song. weird chant and mel
ancholy to a degree. From smiling
faces all became grave as the singer
proceeded with her dirge. Every other
line the musicians joined in with the
singer, and even some of the old Serv7
ants entered into the spirit Of the chant,
and in the absence of musical instrut
mentS beat their hands together in
peculiar manner. | could Judge by the
changing expression of the countenances
of the hearers that they were interested
In the song. At its conclusion l asked
what it was all about. ''Only
nero song" remarked my cont
noble chief who fought many battles,
conquered many dominions, had many
wives, was very good to everybody, and
particularly so to his zenana. But one
day misfortune befel him; the COM
mander-in-chief sold his army to the
enemy, the palace was seized, the
harem taken captive and the chief killed.
God, however, visited the sin of the
commander-in-chief on his own head, as
he was destroyed by the very man who
brlbed him to sell his late master" We
were next regaled with sherbet This
was syrup which, in addition
to the suger, contained either
roseWater or some other scented
liquid. 1t was very sweet.
and as there were six different kinds be-
fore US we tasted them all. SWeetmeats
in variety were placed before us, and
we were obliged to eat more than we
cared for. All the women were young;
some could not have been more than
twelve years old. | asked if there were
any babies. "Oh, yes,'' said one,
plenty" L then learned that his high
ness was the father of ten children. four
OF whom were born i'll one month.
There were no babies in the zenana.
iliC AlOlloIS WoIc StilU away 10 large
palace outside the city.
One of the prlnceSSes began to eX-
anime our clothing. We we're asked
the use of each article, and were cross
examined on the folly of using so many
pieces of underclothing. AS for that
Indispensable article, the corset, the
beautitieS of the Zenana could not de-
vine its value. "See the size of her
waist" remarked begun, undoing her
golden girdle and showing it to us. |
must admit that very few English girls
could possibly have shown such slim
figure. You will make yourself
SICK" remarked the owner of
the, golden girdle, small waist
and gazelle eyes, as she re-
turned the precious circle to its fitting
| place around her form. We wished 10
go, but the houris would not permit us.
One more mischievouS than the others
suggested the prOpriety of dressing the
Madame SahibS in oriental costume. No
sooner was the suggestion made than
the whole of the harem entered into the
spirit of it. 1t was relief to the dull
| mOnOtOny of everyday life, and my
companions and /, bearing this in mind,
acceded to the request. Two set to
work at once removing our wearing ap-
parel, but the hurry they manifested to
get quickly through this work
brought them constantly in col
lisiOn with the pins in our dresses.
The idea of assuming oriental
dress appeared so ridiculous to our
mind that my companion and | fairly
burst out laughing as the women com-
menced operations. They fif@ dressed