DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.5833#0032
NAUTCH GIKLS.
19
the nautch girls manage with great grace and skill in
their dances, one while peeping from beneath it with
an arch expression of unequivocal meaning, at another
exposing the whole countenance, beaming with a ra-
diance that only makes the beholder regret so much
beauty should be allied to so much depravity. The
eye is usually lit up with earnest animation, every
feature being refulgent with expression, that, but
for the revolting leaven of sensuality which appears
to give it life, would be entrancing to gaze and to
dwell upon.
Nothing can exceed the transcendent beauty, both
in form and lineament, of these degraded women,
whose lives are as abandoned as their persons are fre-
cmently enchanting. Although generally accompanied
by the most debauched of their sex, they are neverthe-
less continually engaged at large entertainments, even
by Europeans, for the purpose of amusing their wives
and daughters, as well as the wives and daughters
of their guests. It must be confessed, however, that
when they are admitted into houses to perform before
persons of character, they never in the slightest degree
offend against propriety; upon these especial occasions,
nothing can be more modest than their dress and de-
meanour, while the gentle grace of their movements
and attitudes is often unrivalled. Their dances, ge-
nerally speaking, are much more decent than those
encouraged in the theatres of Europe, which young
and innocent girls are permitted to behold and applaud
without a blush; and which, I must confess, with
some rare exceptions, are to my judgment far more re-
markable for their indecency than for their elegance.
19
the nautch girls manage with great grace and skill in
their dances, one while peeping from beneath it with
an arch expression of unequivocal meaning, at another
exposing the whole countenance, beaming with a ra-
diance that only makes the beholder regret so much
beauty should be allied to so much depravity. The
eye is usually lit up with earnest animation, every
feature being refulgent with expression, that, but
for the revolting leaven of sensuality which appears
to give it life, would be entrancing to gaze and to
dwell upon.
Nothing can exceed the transcendent beauty, both
in form and lineament, of these degraded women,
whose lives are as abandoned as their persons are fre-
cmently enchanting. Although generally accompanied
by the most debauched of their sex, they are neverthe-
less continually engaged at large entertainments, even
by Europeans, for the purpose of amusing their wives
and daughters, as well as the wives and daughters
of their guests. It must be confessed, however, that
when they are admitted into houses to perform before
persons of character, they never in the slightest degree
offend against propriety; upon these especial occasions,
nothing can be more modest than their dress and de-
meanour, while the gentle grace of their movements
and attitudes is often unrivalled. Their dances, ge-
nerally speaking, are much more decent than those
encouraged in the theatres of Europe, which young
and innocent girls are permitted to behold and applaud
without a blush; and which, I must confess, with
some rare exceptions, are to my judgment far more re-
markable for their indecency than for their elegance.