Full resolution (JPEG) - On this page / på denna sida - XVI. India—Its People, Religion, Etc.—The Fertility of the Country—The Climate—The Dwellings—Punkah—Costumes—Calcutta—Dalhousie Square—Life in the Streets
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IS 187.2 Story of an Emigrant.
3 35
perfect level before the operation begins. A Hindoo barber
not only shaves and cuts the hair, but also cleans the nails
and ears and does other toilet work.
There I see two stately men walking arm in arm; they
have fine cut, very regular features, and beautiful black hair
and beard; their intelligent looks and easy carriage
command attention; they wear japanned shoes, snow white
trousers, long white linen coats buttoned close to the chin,
and high black hats without brim. They are Parsees,
descendants of the ancient Persians and fire-worshipers, and
probably merchants and men of wealth. And there again I
see a group of Asiatic Jews in skull caps and long gowns,—■
keen, thoughtful and intelligent, without the slightest change
in manners, costumes, or features since the days of the Jews
of nineteen hundred years ago.
In the crowded street I suddenly hear a shout, and see two
men running with staffs in their hands, hallooing: "Stand
aside, get out of the way, you fellows! The Prince of
Tra-vancore is coming! Clear the road, get out of the way!"
Close on the heels of the runners is a magnificent carriage
drawn by four Arabian steeds. By the side of the driver sits
a trumpeter, who occasionally blows in a long horn to make
known that the great personage is coming. Inside is the
prince, and behind the carriage are four mounted soldiers,
his body guard.
Just coming in sight around a street corner, turning up
one of the native streets, is a long line of ox-carts. They
are loaded with cotton, jute, hides, indigo, or other native
products. They are very light, and are drawn by a pair of
Hindoo oxen 110 larger than a two-year-old heifer of our
cattle, but with fine limbs and a high hump over the
shoulders. They are yoked far apart, about the same way as in
Sweden; but the coolie driver sits close behind them and
guides them by a twist of the tail with his hand. Several
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