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)

308 BEDSTEADS.

are of the common mango-wood without or-
nament, the lacing of these for the sacking being
of elastic string manufactured from the fibre of
the cocoa-nut.

Such are the bedsteads of every class of peo-
ple. They seldom have mattresses; a soo-
jinee (white quilt) is spread on the lacing, over
which a calico sheet, tied at each corner of the
bedstead with cords and tassels; several thin
flat pillows of beaten cotton for the head,—a
muslin sheet for warm weather, and a well wad-
ded ruzzie (coverlid) for winter, is all these
children of Nature deem essential to their com-
fort in the way of sleeping. They have no idea
of night dresses; the same suit that adorns a
lady, is retained both night and day, until a
change be needed. The single article exchanged
at night is the deputtah, and that only when it
happens to be of silver tissue or embroidery, for
which a muslin or calico sheet is substituted.

The very highest circles have the same
habits in common with the meanest, but those
who can afford shawls of cashmere prefer them
for sleeping in, when the cold weather renders