The Bennington banner. [volume] (Bennington, Vt.) 1858-1894, 1889-04-25
AT THE INDIAN THRESHOLD.
Beautiful BOmbay-On the Malabar
Hin-A Native City - street Scenes
and CustOms-H -HindOOs and Parsees
Tower OF Silence.


Beautiful BOmbay-On the MaIabar
HiII-A Native City - street Scenes
and -HIndOOs and Parsees
Tower OF silence.
SPECIAL CORRESPONDENCE
BOMBAY, Hindustan. Midway on the
Western coast of the central peninsula,
that reaches down from the Asiatic con-
tinent into the Indian Ocean, lies one of
the greatest cities of this storied land Of
the world, Bombay is situated on the
extremity of an island. skirted with a
broad harbor that is dotted with sails,
and stands at the gateway of India, the
center of oriental traffic, in communi-
cation by steam, rail and telegraph with
other cities and provinces of the empire.
With a million inhabitants and strange
combination of people, with diverse
phases of native and European Civiliza.
ton mngling together, with the old ard
the new in architecture and institutions
struggling for supremacy, it is city OF
no little interest TO the traveller.
Near the landing place by the harbor,
is large and treeless park, called the
Esplanade, with broad walks and drives,
forming a beautiful lawn and prone
made, where band plays every after
noon and entertains with music those
who frequent the place. Here are seen
all classes of people. The wealthy Euro
peans drive about in their drays and car
riages, attended by foOlmen and ser
wants in bright and attractive liveries.
| Pedestrians stroll through the grounds,
chatting and visiting with each other.
The handsome dresses of the women, the
gay uniforms Of the military, and the
odd costumes of the Hindoos and Parsees
make varied and interesting sight.
The dark skin natives give quaint and
picturesque lock tU the scene, as they
sit about in happy groups laughing and
playing games, the women clad in
dresses of very brilliant colors, and the
men wearing trousers of scarlet, green,
blue or yellow silk, and black coats with
high black hats that are worn tilted back
from the forehead, Children meet TO
play together, accompanied by servants
and nurses. For few hours each day
it seems as if the whole population were
given up to outdoor diversion.
The island is comparatively level, ex-
cept at one point where a considerable
elevation exists, know as Maabar Hill, a
beautiful spot overlooking the city on
one side and the sea on the other. 1t is
covered with luXuriant vegetation, and
abounds with attractive gardens. De-
lightful walks and drives, shaded with
large trees, lead up the slopes Of the hill.
The residences Of the more wealthy peO-
pie occupy this commanding site, many
of which are magnificent in structure
and charming in appointments, where
ease, luxury and refinement are sure to
be found, and VIII re Gu toms and modes
of life lose somewhat their striking ori-
ental phases.
In the upper or native portion of thf
city the streets ale narrow, and the
huusas are crowded together very close
ly. The buildings are three or four
stories high, and fairly swarm with oc-
cupants, seV eral families often living
under the same roof. Among the poorer
people there ls much poverty and dis
tress. The revolving and sickening
scenes, incidental 10 the Overcrowded
apartments in hot climate, are COM
mon enough. In passing through the
streets at night, one is likely to see any
number of persons sleeping in the open
air. with the least bit of clothing about
them. In the bazaars, where much OF
the retail business ia done, nothing il
worn above the waist except a turban on
the head. None of the HindoO women
Iof the better classes ever appear in pub
lie places, but those usually met with
are comely in form and erect in figure
who carry all kinds of burdens upon
their heads. All the poorer people &c
barefoOted the year round, and die |
with the greatest economy in the matter
of wearing apparel. In their features
although dark and inclined to the negro
type, the native women present some
genuine characteristics of beauty, in
many cases rivaliDg the superior races
Throughout this portion of the city
large bullOCks, the sO-called sacred cat
tie as exhibited in the Western world
are used almost universally for trans
portaton of both passengers and mer
chandise, which, attached to carts anC
carriages, trot along over the pavement'
at very brisk pace. Cabs, drawn by
miserable horses, are occasionally seen
and furnish more aTistocratic turnout
A line of horse cars has been built re.
Gently by an American company, bu
has been slow IN gaining favor among
the natives, and at first met with strong
opposition. As the cars were opened t
all classes, the caste distinctions, which
are observed so largely, have proved {
serious obstacle to general patronage
However. the conveniences of horse-ca
travel are being recognized, and the new
methods are likely to gain in popularity
de! pite the powerful social castes.
or the native customs none are more
novel than the forms of marriage cele
bration still in vogue among this people
The festivities are observed with grea
display, and consist of feastIng. musit
and dancing, which are continued sew
eral days. A snowy para9e, made vi
of two or three bands, a large number o
carriages, and a host of followers or
foot, is a striking feature of the event
In the midst of the pageant, riding ol
richly caparlsoned horses underneath
siken canopy, with liveTied attendants
are to be seen the bride and groom, VIII
are often mere children from four to tel
/ years of age. In the procession, wbicl
+ il was my privilege to witness, the brid
was pretty little girl of four summer
and her companion appeared to be abou
two wears her senior. After the parade
r. which takes place at night, the celebra
= ton is continued by the nautch girls,
numerous class of young women VIII
are employed to dance at entertainment
both secular and religious. Thus tn
d BRIDE becomes a wife, entirely seclude,
= from the world, and hencefUrth is seel
only by her female friends and her hur
band, to whom she is a slaverather ths
a companion.
Among the various CLASSES that ente
into the life of this mixed people, VIII
g retain their old-time customs and abov
all others impress themselves upon th
visitor are the Parsses. As descendant
of the Old Per,ians and sncient fire VOL
shippers, they are distinct people. Oar
complex oned, courtly and dressed !
bright colors their apI earance ls still
; ingly picture que. Followers OF th
/, teachings Of ZJroaster, they are devon
!. m their religious zeal, worshiping III
! elements and bowIng IN prayer befOI
the rising and setting sun, and cling
- their native marriage and burial rite
and usages. They are eminently phiIal
thropcal, and are founders of a larP
lo,;r,aI hoanital " hare all kinds of an