361 Hindoo women of distinction, by ancient as well as existing usage, were not debarred the sight of men. When a female of the chittery, or royal race, was marriageable, or supposed to possess a discriminating choice, she was conducted to an apartment where many youths of her own tribe were assembled; and, being desired to select from them her future husband, she distinguished the object of her partiality by throwing over his neck a wreath of flowers*. THESE desultory opinions are freely given, and I am to intreat you will as freely review them; receiving such as may stand on principles of reason, and rejecting, without a scruple, those that seem vague or fanciful. I am, Dear Sir, Yours, &c. * This custom, I am informed, has been observed within these late years at Tanjore. END OE VOL. I. 4 FROM BENGAL TO ENGLAND, THROUGH THE NORTHERN PART OF INDIA, KASHMIRE, AFGHANISTAN, AND PERSIA, AND INTO RUSSIA BY THE CASPIAN-SEA. BY GEORGE FORSTER, IN THE CIVIL SERVICE OF THE HONOURABLE THE EAST-INDIA COMPANY, IN TWO VOLUMES. VOL. II. LONDON: PRINTED FOR R. FAULDER AND SON, FORSTER'S TRAVELS. LETTER XIII. Kashmire, 1783. DEAR SIR, IT is now necessary to call your attention, already burthened, I fear, with no very pleasant matter, to the subject of Kashmire, and endeavour to describe the natural beauties of a valley, which, perhaps, stands unparalleled for its air, soil, and a picturesque variety of land scape. The northern path of the Bannaul hill, mentioned in my last letter, is about one mile and a half shorter than that of the southern side, not that this difference arises from the level of the low lands of Bannaul and Kashmire, but from the greater declivity of the souther face of the hill, Yet it is evident, from the precipitated current VOL, II. B |