COSTUME OF THB HINDOOS. 311

stn^clied to tlie perfection of beauty, is filled with
risigs and oMiasy omaKaents. RouBd the waist they
wear a loose piece of muslin, while the bosom is en-
tirely exposed ; this is the only drapery of the Mala-
bar women-: but they are. adorned with, a profusion
of gold and stiver . chains for neddaces^ mixed with
strings of Venetian and other gold coins ; they have
also heavy ba&gles, or bracelets ; a silver box, sus-
peBded'by a chain on. one side, forms a principal or-
nament, and contains. the areca or betel-nut, with its
appendages of chunam, spice, and betel-leaf. Their
skin is softened by aromatic oils, especially among
the Nairs and Tetees» who are peculiarly attentive to
deanMneas in their persons \

The female Portuguese Christians in Calcutta wear
a petticoat and loose body made of muslin and silk,
trimmed with lace, while their long black hair is
turned up ^ 2a Grecque, and fastened with gold orna-
ments. The Malay girls' costume is somewhat simi-
lar, with sometimes the addition of long, flowing,
white veils.
In Northern India, where the power and example
of the Mahomedans have operated so many other
changes in the manners of the Hindoos, even the
national costume has undergone various modifications.
Here the dress of the women consists of a. close jacket
with sleeves, which^ in. some instances, reach no far-
ther than the elbow, in others, cover even the tops of
the fingers. This jacket* fitting tight to the shape,
and showing to advantage the beauty of the form,

^ Oriental Memoirs, vol. i. p. 390.
312 BENGAL, MADRAS, AND BOMBAT.
