his wife on the successful issue of the omen, and discusses those plans which appear most likely to further the prospects of their dearly-loved son.  But should the second and third papers say ‘not to be’ he is assured in his heart it was so decided by ‘that Wisdom which cannot err:’  to whom he gives praise and glory for all mercies received at His hand:  after this no overture or negotiation would be listened to by the pious father from the same quarter.[8]

The omen, however, proving favourable, the affair is decided; and in order to gain the best possible information of the real disposition of all parties concerned, a confidential friend is sent to the zeenahnah of the young lady’s mother to make her own observations on what passes within; and to ascertain, if possible, whether the report brought by the female agent was true or exaggerated; and finally, to learn if their son would be received or rejected as a suitor, provided advances were made.

The female friend returns, after a day or two’s absence, to the anxious parents of the youth, and details all she has seen or heard during her visit.  The young lady may, perhaps, have been seen (this is not always conceded to such visitors), in which case her person, her manners, her apparent disposition, the hospitality and good breeding of the mother and other members of the zeenahnah, are described; and lastly, it is hinted that, all other things suiting, the young lady being yet disengaged, the projected offer would not be disagreeable to her parents.

The father of the youth then resolves on sending a male agent in due form to negotiate a marriage, unless he happens to be personally acquainted with the girl’s father; in which case the lady is desired to send her female agent on the embassy, and the father of the youth speaks on the subject in the meantime to the girl’s father.

A very intimate friend of mine was seeking for a suitable match for her son, and being much in her confidence, I was initiated in all the mysteries and arrangements (according to Mussulmaun rule) of the affair pending the marriage of her son.

The young lady to be sought (wooed we should have it), had been described as amiable and pretty—­advantages as much esteemed as her rank;—­fortune she had none worth mentioning, but it was what is termed in Indian society a good and equal match.  The overture was, therefore, to be made from the youth’s family in the following manner: 

On a silver tray covered with gold brocade and fringed with silver, was laid the youth’s pedigree, traced by a neat writer in the Persian character, on richly embossed paper ornamented and emblazoned with gold figures.  The youth being a Syaad, his pedigree was traced up to Mahumud, in both paternal and maternal lines, and many a hero and Begum of their noble blood filled up the space from the Prophet down to the youthful Meer Mahumud, my friend’s son.