Dr. Scudders Tales for Little Readers | Page 3

ear, and another on that little
forward point which strikes your finger when you attempt to put it into
the ear. Nose jewels also are worn. Sometimes three are worn at the
same time. Holes are made through each side of the lower part of the
nose, and through the cartilage, or that substance which divides the
nostrils, through which they are suspended. The higher and wealthier
females wear a profusion of ornaments of gold and pearls around the
neck.
A very pretty ornament, about three inches in diameter, having the
appearance of gold, is also frequently worn by them on that part of the
head where the females in America put up their hair in a knot. In
addition to this, the little girls sometimes wear one or two similar but
smaller ornaments below this, as well as an ornament at the end of the
long braid of hair which hangs down over the middle of their backs.
Occasionally the whole, or the greater part of this braid is covered with
an ornament of the same materials with those just described. They also
wear an ornament extending from the crown of the head to the forehead,
just in that spot where the little girls to whom I am writing part their
hair. Attached to this, I have seen a circular piece of gold filled with
rubies. Rings are worn on the toes as well as on the fingers, and
bracelets of gold or silver on the wrists. Anklets similar to bracelets,
and tinkling ornaments are worn on the ankles. The poor, who cannot
afford to wear gold or silver bracelets, have them made of glass stained
with different colors. I have seen nearly a dozen on each wrist.
The little boys wear gold or silver bracelets; also gold or silver anklets.

I just alluded to finger-rings. I have seen a dozen on the same hand. In
this part of the country, the little opening which is made in the ears of
the children is gradually distended until it becomes very large. At first,
the opening is only large enough to admit a wire. After this has been
worn for a short time, a knife is introduced into the ear in the direction
of the opening, and an incision made large enough to admit a little
cotton. This is succeeded by a roll of oiled cloth, and by a peculiar
shrub, the English name of which, if it has any, I do not know. When
the hole becomes sufficiently large, a heavy ring of lead, about an inch
in diameter, is introduced. This soon increases the size of the opening
to such an extent, that a second, and afterwards a third, a fourth, and a
fifth ring are added. By these weights, the lower parts of the ear are
drawn down sometimes very nearly, or quite to the shoulders. Not
unfrequently the little girls, when they run, are obliged to catch hold of
these rings to prevent the injury which they would receive by their
striking against their necks. I need hardly say, that in due time, these
rings are removed, and ornamented rings are substituted.
A different plan is pursued with the Mohammedan little girls. They
have their ears bored from the top to the bottom of the ear. The
openings which are at first made are small, and are never enlarged. A
ring is inserted in each of these openings. I have seen a little girl to-day
in whose ears I counted twenty-four rings.
Flowers in great profusion are sometimes used to add to the adornment
of the jewels.
I cannot conclude my account of the jewels of the little girls, without
giving you a description of the appearance of a little patient of mine
who came here a few days ago, loaded with trinkets. I will give it in the
words of my daughter, which she wrote in part while the girl was here.
"On the 17th, a little dancing-girl came to see us. She was adorned with
many jewels, some of which were very beautiful. The jewel in the top
of the ear was a circle, nearly the size of a dollar. It was set with rubies.
Nine pearls were suspended from it. In the middle of the ear was a
jewel of a diamond shape, set with rubies and pearls. The lowest jewel
in the ear was shaped like a bell. It was set with rubies, and from it
hung a row of pearls. Close by the ear, suspended from the hair, was a
jewel which reached below her ear. It consisted of six bells of gold, one
above the other. Around each was a small row of pearls, which reached

nearly to the bell below, thus forming a jewel resembling very many
drops of pearls. It