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)

A RELIGIOUS OBSERVANCE. 115

the upper lip. This ornament is trained with
the nicest care amongst the fashionable young
men of the present day, and made to creep over
the lip at each corner of the mouth with curling
points; well-trained mustachios being with them
much esteemed.

The religious Mussulmauns become more
scrupulous as they advance in knowledge of their
faith, when they allow their beards to grow and
their heads to be shaven: if the hair turns white
—while to look well is an object of interest—
a dye is resorted to, composed of mayndhie and
indigo, which restores its youthful appearance,
and the beard retains its black glossy hue for
about six weeks, when the process of dyeing is
again made the business of a convenient hour.
The vanities of the world ceasing to charm (the
heart being fixed on more important subjects),
the beard is permitted to retain its natural co-
lour; and, truly, the venerable countenance of
an aged Mussulmaun, with a silvery-white
beard flowing nearly to his girdle, is a picture
that would interest every beholder well ac-
quainted with Bible history.

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