[139] The “evil eye” is a supersitious motion entertained by the ignorant in all countries even until this day.  The Asiatics suppose that uncommon qualities of beauty, fortune or health, raise an ominous admiration admiration, which injures the possessor.  To tell parents that their children are stout and healthy, is a mal-a-propos compliment; also to congratulate women on their healthy appearance is often unwelcome; the same ridiculous and supersitious accompany all admiration of beauty, fortune, &c.  For this reason the visitor, in this case, do not compliment his host on the beauty of his person or the splendour of his dress; but instead make use of the above exclamation.

[140] A celebrated musical performer in upper Hindustan, and considered as the first in his art.  He lived in the reign of Akbar, somo 300 years ago.

[141] A celebrated singer in upper Hindustan, who lived about 600 years ago. Tan-Sen and Ba,ora are still held in the highest reverence by singers and musical performers.  In the original, there is a play on the words to tan and ba,ora which scarcely needs to be pointed out.

[142] The original is, “jis Ki itni ta’rif aur ishtiyak zahir kiya,” where the word kiya agrees with ishtiyak only, being the noun nearest.  A shallow critic would be apt to say that this is bad grammar.

[143] “La haul parhna,” to repeat or recite the “La haul,” or more fully, “La haul wa la kuwwat illa b-Illahi;” meaning, “there is no power nor strength but in God.”  An exclamation used by Musalmans in cases of sudden surprise, misfortune, &c.

[144] The insignia of state among the grandees of India.

[145] The gulab-pash is a silver or gold utensil, like a French bottle, to sprinkle rose water on the company; the ’itr-dan one to hold essences, and pik-duns are of brass or silver to spit in, called by the French crachoirs.

[146] The abdar-khana a room appropriated to the cooling of water in ice or saltpetre, by the servant called the abdar.

[147] Small leaden mugs with covers for the congelation of ice.

[148] To cool the water which they contain; they are made of pewter.

[149] The masnad and its large back pillow are criterions of Asiatic etiquette.  To an inferior or dependant, the master of the house gives the corner of the masnad to sit on; to an equal or intimate friend, he gives part of the large pillow to lean on; to a superior, he abandons the whole pillow, and betakes himself to the corner of the masnad.

[150] A kind of palki or sedan, for the conveyance of the women of people of rank in India.

[151] A sign of afflicting surprise.

[152] Majnun, a lover famed in eastern romance, who long pined in unprofitable love for Laili, an ugly hard-hearted mistress.  The loves of Yusuf and Zulaikh@a, Khusru and Shirin, also of Laili and Majnun, are the fertile themes of Persian romance.