[44] It is generally believed snakes do not live apart from their species; if one is destroyed in a house, a second is anticipated and generally discovered. [_Author_.] [45] _Dastur, dasturi_, the percentage appropriated on purchase by servants. [46] _Saiqalgar_, corrupted into _sikligar_, a polisher. [47] _Dahi khatai_. There is no mystery about the preparation. Milk is boiled and soured by being poured into an earthen vessel in which curds have previously been kept. Sometimes, but less frequently, an acid or rennet is added to precipitate the solid ingredients of the milk. [48] _Malai_. [49] _Makkhan_. [50] _Burfwala_. [51] _Roshanai_, 'brightness', made of lampblack, gum-arabic, and aloe juice. Elaborate prescriptions are given by Jaffur Shurreef (_Qanoon-e-Islam_ 150 f.). [52] Lithography and printing are now commonly done by natives. [53] Letters usually begin with, the invocation, _Bi'-smi'illahi'r-rahmani'r-rahim_, 'In the name of Allah, the Compassionate, the Merciful.' The monogram 'I' is often substituted, as being the initial of Allah, and the first letter of the alphabet. [54] If the Koran were wrapped in a skin and thrown into fire, it would not burn, say the Traditions (Hughes, _Dictionary of Islam_, 521). Compare the care taken by the Chinese to save paper on which writing appears (J.H. Gray, _China_, i. 178). [55] _Surma_, a black ore of antimony, a tersulphide found in the Panjab, often confused by natives with galena, and most of that sold in bazars is really galena. It is used as a tonic to the nerves of the eye, and to strengthen the sight. LETTER XVII Seclusion of Females.--Paadshah Begum.--The Suwaarree.--Female Bearers.--Eunuchs.--Rutts.--Partiality of the Ladies to Large retinues.--Female Companions.--Telling the Khaunie.--Games of the Zeenahnah.--Shampooing.--The Punkah.--Slaves and slavery.--Anecdote.--The Persian Poets.--Fierdowsee.--Saadie, his 'Goolistaun'.--Haafiz.--Mahumud Baarkur.--'Hyaatool Kaaloob'.--Different manner of pronouncing Scripture names...Page 248 The strict seclusion which forms so conspicuous a feature in the female society of the Mussulmauns in India, renders the temporary migration of ladies from their domicile an event of great interest to each individual of the zeenahnah, whether the mistress or her many dependants be considered. The superior classes seldom quit their habitation but on the most important occasions; they, therefore, make it a matter of necessity to move out in such style as is most likely to proclaim their exalted station in life. I cannot, perhaps, explain this part of my subject better than by giving a brief description of the suwaarree[1] (travelling retinue) of the Paadshah Begum[2] which passed my house at Lucknow on the occasion of her visit to the Durgah of Huzerut Abas Ali Kee, after several years strictly confining herself to the palace.