Dr. Scudders Tales for Little Readers | Page 4

is the most beautiful jewel that I ever saw. In the
right side of her nose was a white stone, set with gold, in the shape of a
star. From it hung a large pearl. There was a hole bored in the partition
between the nostrils. This hole had a jewel in it, about an inch in length,
in the middle of which was a white stone with a ruby on each side. It
also had a ruby on the top. From the white stone hung another, of a
similar color, attached to it by a piece of gold. In the left side of the
nose was a jewel about an inch in diameter. It was somewhat in the
shape of a half-moon, and was set with rubies, pearls, emeralds, etc. etc.
This jewel hung below her mouth. On the back of her head was a large,
round gold piece, three inches in diameter. Another piece about two
inches in diameter, hung below this. Her hair was braided in one braid,
and hung down her back. At the bottom of this were three large tassels
of silk, mounted with gold. Her eyebrows and eyelashes were painted
with black. Her neck was covered with jewels of such beauty, and of
such a variety, that it is impossible for me to describe them. Around her
ankles were large rings which looked like braided silver. To these were
attached very many little bells, which rung as she walked. I believe all
dancing-girls wear these rings. We felt very sad when we thought that
she was dedicated to a life of infamy and shame."
There is an ornament worn by the followers of the god Siva, on their
arms, or necks, or in their hair. It is called the lingum. The nature of
this is so utterly abominable, that I cannot tell you a word about it.
Married women wear an ornament peculiar to themselves. It is called
the tahly. It is a piece of gold, on which is engraven the image of some
one of their gods. This is fastened around the neck by a short yellow
string, containing one hundred and eight threads of great fineness.
Various ceremonies are performed before it is applied, and the gods, of
whom I will tell you something by and by, with their wives, are called
upon to give their blessing. When these ceremonies are finished, the
tahly is brought on a waiter, ornamented with sweet-smelling flowers,
and is tied by the bridegroom to the neck of the bride. This ornament is
never taken off, unless her husband dies. In such a case she is deprived
of it, to wear it no more for ever--deprived of it, after various
ceremonies, by her nearest female relative, who cuts the thread by
which it is suspended, and removes it. After this a barber is called, who

shaves her head, and she becomes, in the eyes of the people, a despised
widow--no more to wear any ornament about her neck but a plain
one--no more to stain her face with yellow water, nor to wear on her
forehead those marks which are considered by the natives as among
their chief ornaments.
I have now told you something about the jewels of this people. I hope
that you will never be disposed to imitate them, and load your bodies
with such useless things. They are not only useless, but tend to
encourage pride and vanity. All that you need is, the "Pearl of great
price," even Jesus. Adorn yourself with this Pearl, and you will be
beautiful indeed--beautiful even in the sight of your heavenly Father.
Have you this Pearl of great price, my dear children? Tell me, have you
this Pearl of great price? If you have not, what have you?
I just now alluded to those marks which the natives consider among
their chief ornaments. These are different among different sects. The
followers of Siva rub ashes on their foreheads. These ashes are
generally prepared by burning what in the Tamul language is called
[Tamul:] _chaarne._ They also apply these ashes in streaks, generally
three together, on their breasts, and on their arms. Some besmear their
whole bodies with them.
The followers of Vrishnoo wear a very different ornament from that
just described. It consists of a perpendicular line drawn on the forehead,
generally of a red or yellow color, and a white line on each side of it,
which unite at the bottom with the middle line, and form a trident.
Another ornament consists of a small circle, which is called pottu. This
is stamped in the middle of the forehead. Sometimes it is red,
sometimes yellow or black. Large numbers of women, in this part of
the country, wash their faces with a yellow water, made so