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)

204 ' THE CIIUCKEE.

fruit (dates) is the gift of Him you serve; eat
and be at peace.' The meal was ample which
the angel brought to this virtuous family, and
having placed it before them, he vanished from
their sight."

The Chuckee, before mentioned, is two flat
circular stones (resembling grindstones in Eng-
land), the upper stone has a pegor handle fixed
in it, near the edge, with which it is forced
round, by the person grinding, who is seated on
the floor; the corn is thrown in through a circular
hole on the upper stone, and the flour works out
at the edges between the two stones. This
is the only method of grinding corn for the im-
mense population throughout Oude, and most
other parts of Hindoostaun even to the present
day. The late King of Oude, Ghauzie ood deen
Hyder, was at one time much pressed by some
English friends of his, to introduce water-mills,
for the purpose of grinding corn; he often spoke
of the proposed plan to The Meer, and declared
his sole motive for declining the improvement
was the consideration he had for the poor
women, who by this employment made an ex-
cellent living in every town and village, and