- Author:
- Grant, Colesworthey
- Publication Info:
-
Calcutta:
Thacker, Spink and Co,
1853,
pg 47
Text on page 47
47
The Dhobees' charges here are very much above those of the Calcutta men, which is just what you would expect : the community being small, the few are made to make compensation for the want of the many. The washing is equally as good as it is in Calcutta, but there is the same complaintauttered indeed in yet louder tones aof the linen being " beat to pieces" by the Dhobees. I was glad enough, however, to avail myself of their services, for you may suppose that linen saturated with salt water, and thus never drying was fast running to ruin. I would the Dhobee could restore all which suffered damage during the gale. At such a time, and with so little warning beforehand of what was to be expected, hardly anything escaped injury. There was not one of us I believe that came off without bruises from knocks and severe falls. So if sentient beings, with legs and hands could not always manage to keep the one, or hold on by the other, it is little wonder that such things as ignorant senseless boxes should stumble !
Sept. 5 th.
We are now fairly loading ; and from all I can see, it appears probable not only that this is the last time I shall write, but unless we fall in with the steamer, that I shall be the bearer of my own letter !
Our immense cargo of timber is being floated alongside by Burmeseaa happy song-singing, odd-looking set of fellows, whose heads are protected from the sun by the queerest coverings imaginable. Very primitive helmets, made of basket-ware, and yet more primitive bonnets formed out of a leaf of the palm tree, bent over
the head, and twisted under the chin in a bow, with perhaps a little more than the stiffness of an over-starched ribband ! The majority of Burmese, however, may be said to wear no other covering to the head than the large and ingeniously formed knot of their own brilliant hair, planted generally in the very middle of the crown ; afor the bit of narrow white muslin which is twisted into it, forming a mere fillet round the head, serves, not as a protection, but a mere ornament, which is more, by the way, than can be said of the frightful hole they pierce in their earsalarge enough to hang a padlock on,ainto which the women insert their little scent-boxes (about the size of a very large thimble) and the men conveniently thrust their immense cheroots when tired of smoking !the head, and twisted under the chin in a bow, with perhaps a little more than the stiffness of an over-starched ribband ! The majority of Burmese, however, may be said to wear no other covering to the head than the large and ingeniously formed knot of their own brilliant hair, planted generally in the very middle of the crown ; a for the bit of narrow white muslin which is twisted into it, forming a mere fillet round the head, serves, not as a protection, but a mere ornament, which is more, by the way, than can be said of the frightful hole they pierce in their earsa large enough to hang a padlock on,a into which the women insert their little scent-boxes (about the size of a very large thimble) and the men conveniently thrust their immense cheroots when tired of smoking !
