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)

MARRIAGE CEREMONIES. 361

of her friends whispered me, " The custom is
of long standing; when the face of a stranger
is first seen a dress is always presented;
I should displease Sumdun Begum by my re-
fusal ;—besides, it would be deemed an ill omen
at the Mugganee of the young Bohue Begum if
I did not put on the Native dress before I saw
the face of the bride elect." These I found to be
weighty arguments, and felt constrained to quiet
their apprehensions of ill-luck by compliance ;
I therefore forced the gold dress and the glit-
tering drapery over my other clothes, at the
expense of some suffering from the heat, for it
was at the very hottest season of the year, and
the dulhaun was crowded with visitors.

This important point conceded to them, I
was led to a side hall, where the little girl was
seated on her carpet of rich embroidery, her
face resting on her knees in apparent bashful-
ness. I could not directly ascertain whether
she was plain, or pretty as the female agent had
represented. I was allowed the privilege of
decorating the young lady with the sweet jessa-