‘The dancing-women are of different kinds. The most respectable are the _meeraseen_, sometimes called _doominca_; though the real _doominca_ exhibit in public before men, which the _meeraseen_ never do. The word _meeras_ means an _inheritance_, and _meeraseen_ an _inheritress_, from the custom that has obtained in families of never changing the set. Indeed, custom has so far established it as a right, that any deviation would be considered an injustice punishable by law. Many of the different trades claim similar privileges, and a barber _prepucian_,[21] if I may use the expression, for instance wishing to retire from business, would dispose of his custom to any individual, in the same manner as he would any part of his private property. As the _meeraseem_ are never accompanied by male minstrels, they seldom play on other instruments than drums of different kinds, such as the _tubla_,[22] _dholuk_,[23] and _munjeera_;[24] though the _meeraseens_ never perform before assemblies of men, yet the husband and his sons may be present. They are modest and chaste in their manners, and dress; but, notwithstanding this, it sometimes happens, that a fair _meeraseen_ attracts the attention of the male part of the family; in such cases, any intercourse they may have is conducted with secresy. ----- Footnote 21: The barbers in India have the sole privilege of performing the operation of circumcising. Footnote 22: The _tubla_ are small drums usually fastened in pairs round the waist, and much resemble kettle drums. Footnote 23: The _dhol_, or _dholuk_, is a large sort, carried horizontally, and seems to be the original of our Turkish drum. Footnote 24: The _munjeera_ is sometimes beat with a stick. ----- ‘The _kunchenee_ are of an opposite stamp; they dance and sing for the amusement of the male sex, and in every respect are at their command. They are attended by male minstrels, to whom they are often married. It is said these women always consider their first lover as their real husband, during the rest of their lives; and, on his death, though they should be married to another, they leave off their pursuits for a prescribed period, and mourn agreeably to the custom of widows. They do not consider any part of their profession as either disgraceful or criminal; and are not therefore liable to those pangs of conscience which, at some period or other, are supposed to oppress females of this description in other countries. Their profession is emphatically termed _the trade_, and the female a _trader_; and I must do them the justice to say, that many a _fair_ trader is to be found among them. There are many other kinds of dancing women, such as _hoorkenees_, _bazeegarnees_, _dharee_, &c. &c.