Meer Hassan Ali, B.: Observations on the Mussulmauns of India: descriptive of their manners, customs, habits, and religious opinions ; made during a twelve years residence in their immediate Society (Band 1) (London, 1832)

SOCIETY OF NATIVE LADIES. 113

across the court-yard. In this dilemma the
lady proffered me the pair here described ; I
was much amused with the novelty of the ex-
change, upon stepping into the musical shoes,
which, however they may be prized by Native
ladies, did not exactly suit my style of dress,
nor convenience in walking, although I must
always remember the Begum's attention with
gratitude.

The ladies' society is by no means insipid or
without interest; they are naturally gifted with
good sense and politeness, fond of conversation,
shrewd in their remarks, and their language is
both correct and refined. This, at first, was an
enigma to me, considering that their lives are
spent in seclusion, and that their education was
not conducted on European principles; the mys-
tery, however, has passed away upon an intimate
acquaintance with the domestic habits of the
people. The men with whom genteel wo-
men converse, are generally well educated, and
from the naturally inquisitive disposition of the
females, not a word escapes the lips of a fa-
ther, husband, or brother, without an inquiry

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