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)

374 OSTENTATIOUS DISPLAY

silver chillumchee (wash-hand basin), and lota
(water-jug with a spout, nearly resembling an
old-fashioned coffee-pot) ; a silver luggun (spit-
toon) ; silver surraie (water-bottle) ; silver basins
for water; several dozens of copper sauce-
pans, plates and spoons for cooking; dishes,
plates, and platters in all variety needful for the
house, of metal or of stone. China or glass is
rarely amongst the bride's portion, the only ar-
ticles of glass I remember to have seen was the
looking-glass for the bride's toilette, and that
was framed and cased in pure silver. Stone
dishes are a curious and expensive article,
brought from Persia and Arabia, of a greenish
colour, highly polished; the Natives call them
racaab-puttie, and prefer them to silver at their
meals, having an idea that poisoned food would
break them; and he who should live in fear of
such a calamity, feels secure that the food is
pure when the dish of this rare stone is placed
before him perfect.

Amongst the various articles sent with the
bride to her new home is the much prized mus-
nud, cushions and carpet to correspond ; shut-